The Duke and the Companion
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This book is paired with the book "Mr Cavendish, I Presume" to be published in Autumn 2008 and the two books approach the same story and events from different characters' views. When highwayman Jack Audley is recognised by an old lady, apparently he is the image of her dead son, he finds himself drawn into an extraordinary situation. If Jack's parents were married then he, not Thomas Cavendish, is the Duke of Wyndham. Thomas has grown up knowing that he will be Duke and has carried out that role for ten years since the death of his father; he even has an engagement arranged years before to a suitable wife.
Jack doesn't want to be a duke. For a start, he's not trained to the position, doesn't think he has the skills and it's clear that Thomas makes an excellent duke. However, as the household travel to Ireland to consult parish records, Jack finds yet another reason not to want to be the duke. His grandmother's companion, the lovely Grace Eversleigh, might be willing to marry Mr Cavendish but she knows she's not good enough to be a duchess.
This was an interesting book and it started particularly well. However it felt like it lost its way somewhat about halfway through and the second half didn't live up to the promise of the first. The Dowager Duchess of Wyndham felt too much like a pantomime portrayal of a sour old woman, the romance between Grace and Jack didn't quite convince and the scenes with Thomas often felt incomplete (presumably they are explored further in the next book). Grace as a character was also rather nebulous - she was present in many scenes but I didn't feel that I really got to know her. The resolution of the book seemed rather too facile to this reader and I didn't feel entirely convinced by the emotions and behaviour of many of the characters. It almost felt like a farce towards the end with various characters travelling across Ireland and being rude to each other.
Despite these criticisms it was still a reasonable book, as long as the reader isn't looking for historical accuracy particularly within the writing. Julia Quinn has a lively way with dialogue and it's an easy read which will no doubt appeal to fans of her other books.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
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