What a Difference a Duke Makes

When Mari Perkins, the heroine of this excellent introduction to Bell’s Victorian-era School of Dukes series, arrives in London, she has two goals: find out about her parentage and secure a job. Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, knows he shouldn’t hire the unorthodox spitfire as a nanny. Her beauty alone is too much of a temptation, and he refuses to mimic his father’s behavior of assaulting the help. But when she charms his staff, his sister, and more importantly, his twins—Michel and Adele, who have scared away every other governess—he agrees to give her a trial period. A working man himself (in the burgeoning steam engine field) despite his rank, he appreciates her determination to make it on her own, and her intelligence and wit amplify the beauty he tries so hard to resist. Mari is just as drawn to Edgar, and his softer side and interactions with the children blur the lines between their statuses. The chemistry between the two is spectacular. The many references to Jane Eyre are more entertaining Easter eggs than homage; Bell (the Disgraceful Dukes series) makes this her own story, piling on plenty of witty dialogue, unconventional characters, and hints of mystery to leave readers both satisfied and eager for the next in the series. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM. (Mar.)