In this erotic period romance novel Kate Darrell is a young widow, and well off, but she's never been to London. Rusticating in the country isn't for her so she arrives at the door of a stranger, the Duke of Darkwell, who is rumoured to welcome a variety of young ladies. ONCE UPON A DUKE takes the intriguing situation of a woman who doesn't overly need to fear scandal, for she's already passed through the marriage market, and has her own resources.

Ryder Blake lives in dissipation but he's no slouch, training at sports like fencing and boxing. Whether the title Duke of Debauchery is fair is another matter. He knew love once but never intends to experience that despair again, so he contents himself with giving pleasure to his female companions. Taking for granted that the unknown young woman is unwed, he doesn't send her away, but nor does he want to spoil her chance of a real relationship.

Kate is staying with her cousin Imogen Cavendish, and has no secrets from this lively Society lady, except perhaps the depth of her sudden attraction to the infamous Duke. Having been kept as a token wife by a much older man she has known little intimacy and less love. Small wonder that the first handsome man to awaken her body to delight should make such an impression. Once Kate is launched upon the Ton however, she's instantly popular with her good looks, marriageability and her hundred thousand pounds a year. If Blake wants to see more of her he's going to have to work for it...

The vivacious happenings quickly produce the scandal of the season. As the erotic encounters of the day suggest, adults with money could make their own conventions, provided they were sufficiently discreet. Kate and the Duke can't break too many rules and get away with it. There's amusement and melancholia at the root of this tale, making ONCE UPON A DUKE a study in contrasting emotions. Eva Devon has produced an entertaining character study and erotic romance, tied about with corsets, skirts and satin slippers. This should please ladies who look for Regency romance tales which go that bit further.

Book Summary

What a Widow Wants:

Everything is going swimmingly for Kathryn Darrell. She's got an annuity of a hundred thousand a year, her lecherous-heart breaking husband has had the good graces to pop off, and best of all, she has her freedom-- Something she has every intention of reveling in to the fullest. And who better to revel with than Ryder Blake, the infamous Duke of Darkwell?

A Duke's Desire:

Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell, known as the Duke of Debauchery, is certain he will never love again. His heart lies buried with his wife and he has vowed to never give more than his body to a woman. But when Kathryn shows up on his doorstep, quite literally, demanding he show her the ways of London, he finds that his heart longs to love once again.