“Jasper St. Vincent, the Duke of Montford, had a talent for sin.”

Damned If I Duke (Drop Dead Dukes #2) by Anna Bradley   

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

As neat an opening line as to be had.

There’s more than a surfeit  of tension between the main characters, Jasper St. Vincent and Miss Prudence Thorne. Added to the mix is a wicked ex-mistress, Lady Selina Archer, causing trouble.

Then there’s Jasper who just doesn’t feel women can be trusted. Selina certainly can’t!

Prior to this story Jasper’s been a bit of a swine gambling with an older gentleman at a ball last season, who couldn’t afford the stakes that Jasper had proposed in his usual careless drunken state. The older gentleman it turns out was Prue’s very upright father who of course sells part of his estate to pay off most of his debt.  The balance will be paid after he sells the family home, Thornewood. A terrible outcome, especially for Prue. She’s come to London as the guest of her friend the Duchess of Basington to find a husband wealthy enough to pay off the last of her father’s debt.

When Prue sees the chance to apply a bit of blackmail to keep Thornewood she does. Jasper still hasn’t comprehended the damage he’s done because, let’s face it, he’s so self centred. 

When he realizes, it’s too late.

I loved his grandfather who called him to account. Jasper’s grandfather is also quite taken with Prue.

It all worked out after convoluted complexities. The main characters are forced into a marriage of convenience. Naturally it all goes awry at the celebration ball. Of course!

It turns out Prue is a bruising rider, a sharp shooter, and wants to learn to fence. Which she does much to Jasper’s dismay and anger. (Reminds me a bit of scenes in Heyer’s These Old Shades)

Jasper storms off after telling Prue she was free to do what she wanted. Golly Gosh! and Oops!

Both characters miscommunicate and misunderstand each other.They keep bungling everything, which might be construed as somewhat endearing but is totally frustrating to this reader.

The part where the horse bolted was great! Read it and find out!

There’s also more than the required glances and heavy breathing.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)