The Seduction of a Duke

by Donna MacMeans

Book Overview

Francesca wanted to marry for love, but her social-climbing mother arranged a betrothal to an English duke who is likewise not eager to marry. But a chance encounter and a dash of intrigue make the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425228061
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Another winner for MacMeans

I love this author and this book is another delightful example of her work. I won't go into a summary (enough of those are posted) but MacMeans always gives a humorous sexy tale and this one is no exception. Great read for a snowy day.

Love the latest...

I love Donna MacMeans's latest book! Seduction of a Duke is a wonderful storyline with the Duke of Bedford needing an heiress to save his crumbling fortunes. In these economic times, who can't relate to that! The interplay between Francesca and William is sparkling and keeps things moving brilliantly. This was a great read for a snowy weekend. Loved it! All of Ms. MacMeans's books have been fun, so I'm looking forward to the next one too...hurry up and write more!

Loved It!

This book was the perfect read for the snowstorm I have been stuck in the last couple of days. Sitting next to the fireplace with a cup of tea and Seduction Of A Duke...Yummmm!!!! I think Macmeans is an awesome writer and I hope she keeps those novels coming. I love this book!

Second time around is as great as the first!

Francesca Winthrop is an American heiress and finally a bride. But much to her displeasure she is not married to her love Randolph but instead she finds herself betrothed via her mother's arranged wedding to William Chambers, Marquess of Enon and the Duke of Bedford. This is not a fact that brings joy and celebration to her heart as she saw herself the wife of an American barrister not the duchess to an English man. But she is the dutiful daughter and her true love it appears has up and married someone else the bugger that he is. Since her life is over she might just as well find herself a duchess in England than a spinster in America. After the wedding William and Fran travel from America to England and the sailing is anything but smooth. William has awful sea sickness and Fran has trouble acclimating to the English society aboard the ship. On top of all this conflict Fran discovers that William believes she been with someone else and has become with child. He will not consummate the relationship until he is convinced she is as pure of nature as she is of soul. This makes for very rocky seas because Fran is determined to get pregnant and return home to raise their children since this was a stipulation of the marriage contract. But once they arrive at Deerfeld Abbey, the family estate, Francesca discovers that that William is an honorable man who is trying to rebuild his family estate and care for his tenants. William plans to utilize the money he has now come into as Fran's husband to restore the family home to its greatness and overcome the financial mess his deceased father had created. The other surprise awaiting them is William's brother Nicholas and his wife Emma are a delight and bring much life to the new couple. Both are such a support system for Fran that it helps her overcome her loneliness and jealousy when William's former mistress comes to cause havoc. But a determined Francesca decides to use the diary of a renowned courtesan to accomplish her mission of consummating her marriage. She was provided the diary by her former nanny Madame Aglionby and is convinced this will help her seduce her husband and make her marriage a workable relationship. But Fran greatly underestimates William's former mistress, Lady Lily Mandrake and it almost costs her everything she holds dear especially the husband she has come to love. Lily's plans to use her conniving ways to remove Fran from her duchess title and ensure that she become William's wife. When she brings Randolph back into Fran's life much behind the scenes scheming and manipulating takes place all the expense of Fran and the manipulation of not only William but his entire family is at peril. This book is the sequel to "The Education of Mrs. Brimley" and is as wonderful and entertaining as its predecessor. The characters are such a delight and the mix of Francesca's American upbringing brings a new face to the English storyline. It is an education for the read to re

wonderful Victorian romance

In 1880 her mother ignores Newport heiress Francesca Winthrop desire to marry someone she loves as inane because social status is everything. Instead mom arranges a marriage for her daughter with an impoverished English duke. William Chambers prefers to marry for love or not at all, but has no choice except to accept the Winthrop's social climber's offer for her wealthy daughter. Bitterly he accepts his title for her money. William and Fran meet at a masquerade ball and each is attracted to the other. He gores so far as thinking marriage to an American if it is her will be okay; she thinks similar thoughts. However, both are anxious leading to a great misunderstanding they misconstrue what is happening until Fran reads a courtesan's diary; given to her a few months ago when the American was in Paris by her former tutor. She applies the tips and soon has William out of control with desire. However, her past surfaces and threatens the marriage between the heiress and the duke. The sequel to THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY, THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE is a wonderful Victorian romance starring two likable protagonists who fall in love while she applies the courtesan's diary to their relationship. The story line contains droll double entendres, a staple of Donna MacMeans. With a strong support cast and plenty of wit, sub-genre readers will enjoy this intelligent amusing historical. Harriet Klausner