The duke by Gaelan Foley

The duke by Gaelan Foley

Premise
Robert Knight, the duke of Hawksville is a paragon, above reproach and of impeccable morals. When his lady love dies Hawk is prepared to go to any lengths to avenge her death. Even if it means engaging in a scandalous affair with London’s most provocative courtesan, La Belle Hamilton.

La Belle Hamilton,the self assured demirep, an enchantress out to charm the city’s titled gentleman in reality is nothing but a lonely woman Belinda struggling to put together the pieces of her life. She needs a protector, so she accepts Hawk’s invitation to become his mistress in name only. He asks nothing of her body, but seeks her help in snaring the same man who shattered her virtue.

Together they tempt the unforgiving wrath of society — Hawk with his diplomacy and influence in Parliament and Bel with her sparkling wit and zeal for reform.

But alls not well as it looks, their risky charade turns into a dangerous attraction, an attraction that cannot be denied, and yet cannot be forged into a relationship.

Hawk must choose between desire, love, duty and responsibility. What should he do? Bow down to the dictates of society and let go of the only woman who makes him happy? Or give her the second place to his ambition and social standing?

Bel too must make a devastating decision that could ruin her….A Last chance to hold onto her self respect, a Last chance to seek love or last chance to gain the respect of the man that she loves. . . .or settle for a small piece of himself that he offers..and give up her last semblance of self respect in return?

My Comments
This is the first book of this author that I have read. What I like most about her style of writing is the way that she handles the rolling out of the story. She slowly peels away the layers of boring looking characters to reveal the most enthralling characters. Characters that you slowly fall in love with, as you begin to understand their pain, their anguish, then you begin sympathizing with them and later empathizing with them. The emotional anguish of characters is so well potrayed that I could almost feel their moods.

The downside of it, the tale drags a bit in places and somehow the character of Hawk seems a bit prudish in the beginning and too liberal in the end. The transformation though has been beautifully sketched, seems a bit unreal to be true. But a charming story nonetheless. I would give it a 8/10