The Duchess [Mass Market Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2003

In this lush new novel, Bertrice Small has created a moving story of consuming passion and undeniable love set against the noble splendor of Georgian England. . . .

As the daughter of the richest man in England, Allegra Morgan attracts a number of fortune hunters willing to overlook her flawed pedigree to gain her enormous wealth. Her most ardent suitor is the arrogant but impoverished Quinton Hunter, duke of Sedgwick, who has little to offer a prospective wife except his grand title. Allegra decides that if she must marry, she might as well be a duchess. So she agrees to the match with one condition: her husband must never ask for her love. She has seen the misery love can cause and has vowed to give her heart to no man--especially a dangerously alluring duke.

Quinton is dazzled by his new wife's grace and fortitude, as well as the fierce desire that rages between them. Despite his best intentions, he finds himself falling in love with her. Then the terrors of the French Revolution hit close to home, and the two of them set off on a treacherous adventure that could cost them everything . . . including their final chance at happiness.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For those who simply can't get enough of the fashion, food and folly of the British upper crust, Small (Skye O'Malley, etc.) dishes up yet another historical romance involving a couple who find themselves at odds before learning the meaning of true love in late-18th-century England and France. Quinton Hunter, duke of Sedgwick, has the bluest blood in England, "even bluer than the king's," but because his forebears gambled away the family fortune, he is now all but bankrupt so he must find a bride who is not only worthy but wealthy. Allegra Morgan is the daughter of the richest man in England, but because her mother was a woman of questionable virtue who left her husband and remarried an Italian count, a permanent stain mars polite society's view of her. Despite their initial dislike for one another, Quinton and Allegra decide to follow the dictates of cultural norms and consent to a marriage of convenience that will benefit both families. Inevitably, they become overwhelmed by each other's charms and love ensues. But there is no immediate happily ever after, as the plight of a French countess in distress draws the duo into a mission to save her from the Reign of Terror. The French portion of this tale of two cities, coming late in the novel and with little groundwork laid, feels as though the author suddenly decided to add some suspense to the suds in order to plump up the thin story. There's absolutely nothing new between these covers, and the Scarlet Pimpernel-doings are just silly. Hardcore fans of which Small has plenty are the only ones who need seek entr?e to this ball. (July)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

The queen of the lusty medieval romance has switched time periods to the Georgian era to portray Allegra Morgan, the richest girl in England, who goes to London to hunt for a husband and the best title she can find. Luckily for her, the truly blue-blooded Quinton Hunter, Duke of Sedgwick, has come to town to look for a rich wife because his estate is impoverished. All his predecessors married for love and gambled their assets away, so Quinton wants nothing to do with romance and decides that Allegra will do nicely as a bride. She has decided that love only brings pain and agrees to Quinton's suit on the condition that love not enter into the contract. Naturally, love intrudes, but will it hold as they travel into France during the Revolution to rescue a friend's relative? All of Small's winning trademarks are here: a headstrong heroine, a dynamic hero, and steamy goings-on. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345436954
• ISBN-13: 978-0345436955
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bertrice Small is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 34 novels in print. She lives in the oldest English-speaking town in New York state. Her website is bertricesmall.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Duchess, July 9, 2001

By 

"traumatam" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duchess (Paperback)

After reading all of Bertrice's books this one does not have the sexual intrigue as her others. The book has a great story line, but lacks in the love scenes as her other books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointing, July 25, 2001

By 

Shawna Lanne "Shawna" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Duchess (Paperback)

"The Duchess" was such a disappointment. Despite a promising story line Bertrice Small managed to make this book almost unreadable. A good third of the book was simple explication of Georgian society that read as if she'd lifted it directly from a history book. She obviously researched the book, unfortunately the research didn't stop her from having the heroine call her father 'Pa' of all things, not to mention a host of other simple, yet distracting mistakes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bland, boring, September 26, 2005

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Duchess (Paperback)

Bertrice Small usually dishes up thrilling, exciting erotica but unfortunately this book is none of the above. Although well-researched, the couple isn't that interesting and the subplot with the French Revolution seemed more like filler than a genuine attempt at writing real adventure, and the scenes of rape/sexual abuse of prisoners was a major turnoff. Brutality stuff simply doesn't belong in a romance novel. Can't recommend this one.