“Everyone rejoiced when the Earl of Clyvedon was born. But no one was more elated than the baby's own father who, in his mid-forties, has waited a long time to sire an heir. But his "perfect son" was starting to show sign of idiocy when, at the age of four, he realizes that the boy couldn't talk without stuttering. After that discovery, he leaves his son in the care of his nurse and proclaims him dead. But what he never knew was that by doing so, he would turn his idiot son into a remarkable man.
Now at the age of twenty-eight, Simon Bassett comes home from his extended travel in order to take over the title of the Duke of Hastings. With his father dead, he knows that the ton would be aware of the fortune that he has inherited. And boy was he ever wrong! As soon as he sets foot in the ballroom, ambitious mamas clamor for his attention wanting to introduce their daughters, and young married women and widows alike are blatantly propositioning him! Then he meets Daphne, sister of his best friend the Viscount of Bridgerton. Realizing the position she's currently in, and with escape the only thing in his mind, he strikes a deal with her whereby they pretend to have developed a sudden tendre for each other, leaving him "unavailable".
For a while, it seemed like the best thing for both of them. Simon is practically left alone by those ambitious ladies of the ton, while Daphne immediately becomes the Season's darling by "catching" the attention of the most eligible bachelor in London, and therefore attracting more suitors. But then the pretence gets a little too much and try as they might, they couldn't stop the connection that draws them together.
After reading WHEN HE WAS WICKED, I was eager to read the other books in the Bridgerton series and bought the first book THE DUKE AND I. I absolutely loved Simon and Daphne's story. Theirs is an entertaining, delightful and sometimes emotional romance. Simon is such a compelling hero, trying to escape a lonely childhood, but still carrying the burden of being unwanted by his father, who was embarrassed by his speech defect. I admired the way he used his father's hatred to excel in his studies, yet at the same time I felt sympathy for the fact that he denies himself the pleasure of a happy marriage and of siring his own children, believing that letting the title pass on to a distant relative would be the ultimate revenge against his father. And this is what Daphne must help him overcome. And the way she did it was noting short of remarkable. Her determination and love for him makes her such an endearing heroine, just absolutely perfect for Simon.
THE DUKE AND I, with its witty dialogues and entertaining main and secondary characters, is a perfect start to the series. I guarantee that you will love Simon and Daphne's story and will make you want to read about the other Bridgerton siblings as well.
Next after this is Anthony's story (THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME). ”
Michelle wrote this review Saturday, February 28 2009.
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