"Strange but entertaining Regency romance"

During the Napoleonic Wars, Gwen marries Lord Milburn the person she has been betrothed to since her birth. After the ceremony, she asks him what name she should use and he replies Harry. She is shocked to learn she married Lord Cambourne, Milburn's brother.

Gwen wants to know why Harry agreed to this ploy, but his response leaves her in further doubt as he tells her to talk to her bossy mother. When she learns that her parents blackmailed Harry into marriage since Milburn had not returned home, Gwen is despondent. However, as the scenario becomes even weirder with the return of Milburn and the brothers swapping identities, she realizes that Harry could not be made to do anything he would not want to. Could he love her as she loves him?

THE ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS is a strange but entertaining Regency romance that will remind readers of the Importance of Being Ernest or perhaps As You Like It, but obviously in a different setting. The story line can become confusing as to which brother is which, but fans will appreciate the errors as they will be as bewildered as the heroine is and enjoy every moment of it. Jessica Benson provides a fun historical though concentrate or you will root for the wrong brother to kiss Gwen.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 21, 2003

Summary

Dear Reader, I married the wrong man. I had every intention of doing the thing right. Of saying my vows and walking out on the arm of Bertie Milburn. Nice, safe, easygoing Bertie. And that is precisely what I thought I had done. But as it turned out, I'd been tricked! Tricked into marrying Bertie's twin brother Harry, the Earl of Cambourne and (as my mother would insist on reminding me at every opportunity) future Duke of Winfell! And the shocking way in which I found out -- on my wedding night, no less...well, it doesn't bear repeating here! And the truth is that Harry, who is my husband, but should not be, makes my hands shake and my heart pound in a way that Bertie never has and never will. Vexing, dangerously charming Harry, who won't tell me why he had to marry me, why he insists on masquerading about town as his brother, or most bothersome still, why he won't stop that annoying (and rather excitingly successful) habit of trying to seduce me! What is a young lady to do? Gwen