The Duke and I – Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn. The Duke and I. (New York: Avon Books, 2000). 0380800829.

Main Characters: Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Arthur Henry Fitzranulph Basset, Duke of Hastings.

Date of Story: 1813. 

Related Works: The Bridgerton Series includes the books The Duke and I, The Viscount who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip, With Love, When He Was Wicked, It’s in His Kiss, and On the Way to the Wedding. There are also two related novellas that include Lady Whistledown: The First Kiss from Lady Whistledown Strikes Back and 65 Valentines from The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown. Lady Danbury, from How to Marry a Marquis appears is most of the books in the Bridgerton Series.

Description from the book:

Has the devastating duke finally found a bride?

All of the society papers say so. But only the Duke of Hastings and his “intended” know the truth. For the irresistible Simon Basset has hatched a plan to keep himself free from all those marriage-minded society mothers by pretending an attachment to the lovely Daphne Brigerton. After all, it isn’t as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry–though there is something about the alluring miss that sets Simon’s heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante attract some very worth suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzed across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s the mesmerizing look in his intense blue eyes, or the way she feels in  his strong arms, but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke . . . for real! And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoy this book. I think that Lady Whistledown’s columns are one of the best parts of the book – and Lady Violet Bridgerton’s reactions to them are comical. Violet and Daphne have some great conversations about some of Whistledown’s comments early on. Daphne and Simon are wonderful together, although I do find their “pretend” attachment to be a bit contrived. Simon’s all-consuming hatred of his late father gets a bit tedious – of course, Daphne eventually deals with that situation. It is obvious to see how much pain his father has caused Simon – I mean I was horrified when his father decided that he had no son in the prologue. How could one’s heart no ache for the little boy who did nothing worse than stutter?

Read again: February 1-2, 2007.