Widowed Lady Caroline Locker has been grieving for her father and husband since their demise some months ago. Little has alleviated her depression, except morning rides on her beloved horse, Demon, at her family's country estate, Crestwood Manor. Though her brother, Hal, had been urging her to leave off deep mourning, it was only his insistence she attend a welcoming party for his old friend Antonio Thorndyke, now the Duke of Weston, which finally saw her begin to mix. She was unprepared for the magnetism between herself and Antonio. Still an innocent, even though she had been married, she was not quite sure how to handle her attraction. But she was determined not to fall for the Duke, nor to give in to his seduction attempts. Since his arrival in England, Antonio had quickly gained the reputation of a rake, and Caroline wanted nothing to do with him.

Antonio never wanted a title. His dream was to live out his life in Andalucia, breeding horses. But when news arrives of his cousin's death, duty dictates he take his place as Duke of Weston in England. He leaves Spain to reluctantly assume the title. He is glad to see his old friend Hal again, but is astonished by the beauty of Hal's sister, Caroline, and the connection he feels to her. Not wanting to get married, and knowing any other intentions towards his friend's sister are unacceptable, he attempts to forget her. This doesn't stop his body from taking over when he comes into contact with her. It takes an overindulgence of brandy to see that she is the perfect woman for him, but it would take a lot more to get him down the aisle. But under what circumstances would he consider marriage?

The Reluctant Duke is an enjoyable historical novel with strong, well developed characters and a fabulous storyline. Antonio is a half Spaniard, with a deeply ingrained sense of duty. Caroline is a young woman who has had her world collapse, but is beginning to emerge from her grieving hermit existence – but not without some persuasion. At times, I wanted to smack Antonio around the head for his blindness, and I understood Caroline's mixed emotions towards him. You will surely find yourself engaged in the plot, with these two denying their increasing feelings towards one another. Just when you are wondering where the story could possibly go to next, a plot twist will take you on an altogether unseen but welcomed journey, to see all of the characters happy and fulfilling their dreams. There are sexual encounters, and they do get described – though not in graphic, modern language. Blaise Kilgallen has written a fabulous historical tale, with a fairly smooth plot flow, plenty of character development and an unforeseen twist that will keep you happily reading.


Reviewed by: Elizabeth