The Bedeviled Duke [Paperback]

Judith Lansdowne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

Assisting the disreputable bachelor Duke of Abbercombe, Olivia Willburton-Smythe is shocked when she discovers that the Duke has eight children, until she learns the truth about his past and asks for his help in finding her missing brother. Original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821752960
• ISBN-13: 978-0821752968
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her best, June 16, 2000

By 

Annie (Pearl River, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bedeviled Duke (Paperback)

I enjoy Judith Lansdowne's regencies because they are funny, light, warm, appealing characters and enjoyable reads. This one was a delight. I loved Abbercrome. What a darling of a man. His children are a delight and reading about Olivia with them is fun. I took this book out of the library to read it and had to buy it in the end. It is a keeper

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her best, June 16, 2000

By 

Annie (Pearl River, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bedeviled Duke (Paperback)

I usually enjoy Judith Lansdowne's regencies because they are funny, light, warm, appealing characters and enjoyable reads. This one was a delight. I loved Abbercrome. What a darling of a man. His children are a delight and reading about Olivia with them is fun. I took this book out of the library to read it and had to buy it in the end. It is a keeper

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and heartwarming story, January 23, 2005

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bedeviled Duke (Paperback)

I first read this a couple of years ago and recently re-read it to sustain me through a rotten bout of flu. I liked it just as much the second time around and here are some comments on it.

This author is one of my favourites and I think this particular book is at the top of her list. Briefly, it's the story of a young, thoughtless and somewhat wild marquess who takes the blame when someone else accidentally kills of one of his closest friends. He suffers, you see, from terrible guilt thinking he has caused his friend to become addicted to opium. He must leave the country but, as a friend of the king, he is given a mission to spy for the crown as Europe sinks into war with France. And, a very successful spy he becomes, known as The Rogue.

To the surprise of our hero, his arranged marriage evolves into one of deep and abiding love and loyalty and his wife duly presents him with four sets of identical twins. Wonderful characters, these children, who add much to the story.

Returning to England after 22 years of exile, now a duke and widowed, he gradually picks up the threads of his life, reacquainting himself with family and friends whilst enduring the opprobrium of those of the ton who don't know the full story.

The Duke of Abbercombe has allowed his guilt over the death of his friend to colour much of his life but the greatest triumph in his existence is his eight children and the loving, generous, kind and supportive relationship he has with them. This man is a father amongst fathers, bringing up his family following the death of his beloved wife with patience and love.

Miss Oliva Willburton-Smythe, an independent, wealthy woman of 31 meets the duke and, on seeing how patient and kind he is with his twins, decides to support him in his social regeneration. Of course, she eventually falls deeply, madly and passionately in love with him!

Then, a nicely handled plot of spies, missing officers, and unhealed old wounds allows everything to come right and for everyone concerned to find a loving partner. A neat and tidy conclusion brings everything together and you know this family will enjoy much happiness and joy in the years to come.

I really liked this - a keeper for me - and a jolly fun read with very sympathetic and well drawn characters.