This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James

Book Description:
No man can resist Jemma's sensuous allure . . . Except her own husband!

Wedding bells celebrating the arranged marriage between the lovely Duchess of Beaumont and her staid, imperturbable duke had scarcely fallen silent when a shocking discovery sent Jemma running from the ducal mansion. For the next nine years she cavorted abroad, creating one delicious scandal after another (if one is to believe the rumors).

Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, did believe those rumors.

But the handsome duke needs an heir, so he summons his seductive wife home. Jemma laughs at Elijah's cool eyes and icy heart—but to her secret shock, she doesn't share his feelings. In fact, she wants the impossible: her husband's heart at her feet.

But what manner of seduction will make a man fall desperately in love . . . with his own wife?

I loved this book, the best by Eloisa James I've read to date.  I was told the Desperate Duchesses series gets better as it goes along and I agree.   Upon the advice of various reviews I'd read, I skipped the first two books altogether and started with the third in the series.  It caused a bit of head scratching here and there, but not too much.

This Duchess of Mine is the fifth in the series and Jemma's story, which I've been dying to get to.  In the last book, the side story is dominated by Jemma, to the point where her story with her estranged, but now no longer estranged husband was more interesting than the main story!  (This is a common occurrence in Ms. James' novels, I've noticed).  Set during Georgian times in the 1780's, Jemma is the Duchess of Beaumont who has lived apart from her husband for the first nine years of their marriage.  After witnessing him with his mistress, the newly married Jemma hastens to Paris - for nine years!   Elijah, her duke, let her remain there.    Guilt ridden, he felt he deserved what he got, and he didn't think she'd ever forgive him. (A poor excuse if I ever heard one!) Instead she became the most beautiful Englishwoman in Paris.  Although she had an affair or two, nothing compared to her duke who she secretly pined for.  Jemma is a multi-faceted heroine.  She's quick witted and extremely intelligent - she's also a master chess player.  The game of chess is a dominant occurrence throughout this entire series.  In the previous books, she came across as sort of a know-it-all, but here we really get to know Jemma and I wound up loving her! 

Elijah, the Duke of Beaumont has a secret.  He is dying and needs an heir before he succumbs to the heart disease that is slowly killing him. The duke calls his duchess back from Paris informing her that he wants an heir - he wants to make an heir.  Jemma has loved him all along, but due to their lack of communication and the fact they've barely seen each other in the last several years, they have to basically start over again with their marriage.  Even though she is eager to make an heir too, she insists they get to know each other first - she wants him to woo her - and she wants to woo him!  She doesn't know about his illness, so she's in no hurry to make a baby.  They have all the time in the world!  Instead, she wants him to be able to choose her (some crazy advice she got from a male friend) and sics her biggest rival from Paris on him, hoping that if someone else pays attention to him and flirts with him (he's known for his staid and Puritan-like ways and is not your typical Georgian dandy) he'll be flattered by all the attention and will appreciate by being able to choose Jemma over another.  It really didn't make sense to me and it was highly convoluted, but it served it's purpose - it prevented them from sleeping together immediately and created some diverting moments at Vauxhall.  Not much time goes by, their marriage is heating up and just when it seems they are finally going to do the deed - he has one of his frightening fainting spells (otherwise he seems fine) and Jemma finds him.  Knowing how his father died of the same heart failure, she is no idiot and instantly realizes what's wrong with him.  He comes clean with her and they must come to terms with it.  He may very well die at any moment - how can they fix this problem?!   Jemma refuses to just let him die and will not give up on finding a cure.

The rest of book revolves around how they deal with this dilemma, searching for a doctor they have heard about that has been experimenting with a drug that can regulate the heart - a derivative of the poisonous flower, foxglove.  Meanwhile, they are becoming closer and learning more and more about each other. Discovering new places, likes and dislikes - and falling in love.  It makes their plight all the more bittersweet - for time is a wasting.  They fear the next time he faints it could kill him.  Elijah does have one remedy that seems to work!  Physical exertion helps keep his heart pumping regularly.  Physical exertion, as in the sexual kind, particularly.  In addition they've taken to playing chess together again, both are equally matched.  One particular chess game is masterfully described - in bed - blindfolded.  I must admit, it was a novel approach to the game and very well done!  Even if you don't play chess, you'll appreciate the setting! ;)

One of the things I loved about this book was all the detail that went into it, particularly the clothing.  Georgian fashion was one of opulence, large panniers, everything powdered, wigs, beauty marks, jewels, silks and satins - it was sensuous and rich.  Jemma fit right in and I enjoyed reading about everything she wore and how she chose what she'd wear, it was fascinating to imagine and evocative of the era. 

Elijah on the other hand, eschewed the glitter of the era which is reflective of his personality.  Upon the death of his father, who died  in the most scandalous fashion in a brothel, Elijah felt he needed to make up for his father's notorious reputation.  His clothes remain dark and conservative, his hair is plain and unpowdered as befits a serious member of the House of Lords, which Elijah considers himself to be.  He is in stark contrast to the Duke of Villiers who is his oldest friend and, at one time, a major rival for Jemma.  Villiers and Jemma are both fanatics when it comes to chess and their ongoing chess match threatened to ruin her marriage once and for all.   Besides chess, Villiers other obsession is his attire - he is a clotheshorse.  Villiers is known for his excessive attention to his clothing.  Everything must be perfection, although he manages to keep his masculinity about him.  No one can accuse of him of being "light in the instep."  He's the father of five bastard children, which makes up the side story in this novel and is the natural lead in to the next.  I really like Villiers, he's a very interesting man and all of his scenes have a sparkle in them, I can't wait to read his story - which is the next in the series.

So are you wondering what happens to Elijah and if they find a cure?  I can assure you this book ends happily, but it does have it's poignant moments.  I really enjoyed it and it was a worthwhile read - a beautiful cover too!  Enjoy it - I know I did!

4/5

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When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James

Book Description:
THE DUCHESS OF COSWAY YEARNS FOR A MAN SHE HAS NEVER MET... HER HUSBAND.

Married by proxy as a child, Lady Isidore has spent years fending off lecherous men in every European court while waiting to meet her husband. She's determined to accept him, no matter how unattractive the duke turns out to be. When she finally lures Simeon Jermyn back to London, his dark handsomeness puts Isidore's worst fears to rest -- until disaster strikes.

The duke demands an annulment.

Forsaking his adventuresome past, Simeon has returned to London ready to embrace the life of a proper duke, only to find that his supposed wife is too ravishing, too headstrong, and too sensual to be the docile duchess he has in mind. But Isidore will not give up her claim to the title - or him - without a fight.

She will do whatever it takes to capture Simeon's heart, even if it means sacrificing her virtue. After all, a consummated marriage cannot be annulled.

Yet in forcing Simeon into a delicious surrender, will Isidore risk not only her dignity - but her heart?



***

"If you love your sewer, it'll love you back."

Instructive words of wisdom from an expert to the Duke of Cosway who, among other things, is preoccupied with getting rid of the stench of uncleaned sewers from his ducal estate. That's not the only thing he's trying to get rid of.

As I began to read this Georgian romance, fourth in the Desperate Dutchesses series, I never would have imagined I would learn so much about eighteenth century water closets and who cleans them! I learned what the Dead Watch means and all sort of interesting things about hygiene - or lack thereof. In fact, for a part of the book, I became so preoccupied with Simeon's water closets, they became more important to me than the actual story itself between the hero and heroine! I'm not so sure this is such a good thing or what the author intended. So romantic and sexy!

There is more to the story than just the elimination of bathroom stench. Italian born, Isidore has been married to Simeon, the Duke of Cosway since she was a young teenager. He's been off in Africa for ages and they haven't met in years. Married by proxy, he has no idea what a beautiful young woman she has grown up to be. Saving herself and her reputation for the day her duke finally returns, she grows desperate waiting, waiting and waiting. She spreads some scandalous stories about herself that she is certain will eventually get back to her wayward husband in Africa, and sure enough they bring him home. He is remarkably handsome and a virgin - very different than what she imagined. Living in Africa and India he has picked up their customs, he's a runner and wears shorts to run in - highly unusual! In fact, his own mother, the dowager duchess is aghast by his behavior, referring to him as running around in "nappies!"

Simeon is inundated with unpaid bills that his mother had not taken care of while he has been out of the country, though there is no shortage of money - she just didn't pay for anything, so there is tons to do to fix up the place. Meanwhile, his young wife is determined to seduce her husband and help him with the estate. She wants to consummate their marriage. He has this mixed up notion that they'd be better off getting an annulment. I didn't quite understand his reasoning, why didn't he just go for it with her? He's put off by her beauty, so he avoids her as much as he can. Eventually, they give in and consummate the marriage, but it still doesn't solve their marital problems, there's the usual misunderstanding though they are falling in love, she leaves him, etc., but it was a fun read to see how everything was resolved - especially the water closets! Still, I didn't bond with either one of their characters which were one-dimensional. I've noticed that Ms. James' books have a lot of different characters in them, to the point where they're spread too thin, hence, none of them get the attention and character development they deserve.

As in her other novels, another side story is going on in addition to the main one in regard to Isidore's friend, Jemma, the Dutchess of Beaumont and her husband, Elijah, the Duke. As compelling as their story is, in fact it was better than the main story, I found it detracted from the story of our main hero and heroine, Simeon and Isidore. I wished Jemma and Elijah would just have their own book, rather than living on the outskirts of Isadore and Simeon's. Looks like I'll get my wish in the next book in the series. Jemma and Elijah and their mutual good friend, the Duke of Villiers are the most interesting part of this book!

Overall, this was not bad, but not great. A diverting read, it had it's hot and sexy moments, but I didn't find much chemistry between the hero and heroine, and I found it tiresome after a while that the Duke of Cosway was constantly running away from his wife, especially since I didn't quite buy his reasoning behind it. I didn't have much sympathy for him, except - ahem - in regard to the water closets *cough*

3.5/5

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Duchess By Night by Eloisa James

Book Description:
A Mischievous Charade...

Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that come along with it. Enough with proper tea parties and elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims and desires. But to attend such an event - especially if the event in question is Lord Justinian Strange's rollicking fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risque ladies and illicit lovers - would be certain scandal. That's why she must disguise herself...

Looking forward to a night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the most beautiful woman in the room. Why is a woman like her risking her reputation at his notorious affair? And can he possibly entice her to stay... forever?

This book wasn't bad, but not great. It got off to a slow start while the reader is trying to figure out who all the main characters are. Harriet is a widowed duchess, a somewhat dowdy figure who never felt truly loved by her dead husband that had a passion for... chess. He killed himself over a chess game.

Harriet has a couple of close girlfriends, who are all duchesses as well and one of them (who has her own set of problems that comes out in the next book in this series) wants to go to this scandalous Lord Strange's house party in the country, to try and make her own husband jealous. Harriet accompanies her - dressed as a young man, a Mr. Cope. Harriet loves the freedom being a young man gives her and she enjoys wearing britches instead of long skirts. She no longer has to worry about elaborate hair do's, she can just wear her hair in a quieu now. But, she didn't count on how difficult it would be to pull off this sham in front of all the other men. She has to act like a man, just as much as look like one.

Once they meet the host of the party, the book starts to really get better. Lord Strange is a paradox. He holds these scandalous non-stop parties at his estate, yet he has an eight year old daughter that he keeps hidden away in the West Wing of the house under lock and key, so none of the nefarious guests he hosts can get close to her. WTF? I had a real problem with him, I didn't really like him all that much because to me this was his fatal flaw - he was completely clueless when it came to taking care of his daughter, who winds up being bitten by a rat (in her bed - eww!)and gets "rat bite fever" and nearly dies!

His daughter is extremely intelligent and advanced for her age and she seems happy enough but as Harriet gets to know the Lord and his daughter better she has trouble with the way he takes care of her as well. Mr. Cope and Lord Strange become friends, though Lord Strange aka Jem can't help feeling unnervingly uncomfortable around her/him. He finds himself attracted to Cope, yet cannot reconcile the idea that he may be attracted to another man - a young, beautiful young man that has large brown eyes that turn violet with long, lush lashes. What's getting into him? All the other guests assume that Harriet's young man is a "molly" (a gay man) and rumors start to fly that so is Lord Strange and he's taken a fancy to Mr. Cope.

Meanwhile, Strange has taken Cope under his wing to make him more of a man - he teaches him how to fence and ride and before long Harriet is finding herself falling for him. Their mutual friend, the Duke of Villiers, who is in on the whole charade of Harriet's, lets onto Strange what Harriet really is, but he does not let him know she is a duchess. Strange enjoys teasing Harriet along, making her think, he thinks she's a man (confusing, I know), but it was one of the best scenes in the book. Eventually, the truth comes out (but not to the rest of the house party) and Harriet and Jem begin an affaire. She is long due for something like this and as we find out, so is he.

But, can they continue their affair when he finds out that she's really a duchess? Will his feelings change for her once he finds out she's not some little nobody country squire's widow? He has some dark family secrets that he is afraid to admit to and both of them are too afraid to admit to them and the affair ends and Harriet packs up and leaves. I found it so frustrating that they didn't try and make it work harder. Both just gave up!

It all ends happily, but not quite as I expected. I enjoyed this little romp in the country, but it was nothing that I'll think back on as very memorable. As I said before, I was not won over by Lord Strange, but I did like Harriet, we do get the impression that she whips him into shape and changes his priorities and mores - which he is sorely in need of. There are a few sensual moments in the book that were well done, but overall I found the element of "romance" a bit lacking. It was more like these two people came together who hadn't had any romance in their life for a long time and it was suddenly, "wow!" for both of them, yet I couldn't get past Strange's lifestyle and his profound stupidity in bringing up his daughter in a house full of roues and orgiastic type parties in which he has to keep her bottled up for fear one of his guests may come upon her and rape her! Uggh! Yet, he was so intelligent in other matters like mathematics and architecture and money and business. Such the stereotype of a man, when it comes to "manly" things he's great, but anything domestic - forget it! Pfft!

I'm reading this series, starting on the third book, since I heard the first two were really not very good. The latest book in the series is supposed to be great, so that's why I picked this up in the first place. I do look forward to the next book in the series about Harriet's friend, Isidore who wanted to make her husband jealous at the house party. I hope I like it better than this one! This is my 2nd book by this author, the last one did not endear me to her, but I'm still willing to give her a chance - but she's not making it easy!

3.5/5

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