The Determined Duchess

 The Determined Duchess, Antoinette George, Brangwyn Press, 2020

In part 2 of this series, set in 1790s England, Cat is being courted by an anonymous man in British high society. She agrees to marry him, to get her mind off Francis, the man she loved, and who walked away from her, after helping her and her family to escape Revolutionary France.

Here, in part 3, Cat learns that Francis is the man who has been courting her. Feeling abandoned, and then deceived, by him, to say that Cat sets a new record for being irate, is a huge understatement. When they return to his estate, there is lots of yelling. There is no chance of them sleeping in the same room, let alone in the same bed. Cat keeps a stiletto under her pillow, and is not afraid to use it, even on her husband. During the day, they communicate by notes passed back and forth by messengers. Cat wants a divorce; his answer is "Never." Francis tells her that, as a duchess, attendance at high society balls and parties is Expected. She agrees, wearing gowns that are more and more revealing. Francis gets just as upset at Cat as she is at him.

Francis gets word that his uncle has been taken prisoner, in France, by Bernheim and Dupont. They are two men for who torturing innocent people to death is another day at the office. He knows it's a trap, but he has no choice. Cat meets up with him in a small inn in France. She wants to help, she knows how to take care of herself, and she knows her way around a rapier, but Francis says No Way. Women are too delicate, they should make babies and take care of the house, this is "man's work." Another large argument ensues. Does Cat follow Francis, or does she stay at the inn, like a good wife "should?"

As with the other books in this series, this is an excellent piece of storytelling. It's got swashbuckling action and adventure, some really good writing, and a bit of rather extreme sex. This is very much worth reading.