The book opens with Emma attending a wedding. When she spies Viscount Wolverton, Adrian Ruxley, trying to sneak comfits off the cake, she confronts him. They exchange witty banter and part ways, leaving a silent, yet powerful connection between them. Unfortunately for Emma, a potential suitor pushes his hand too far with her after Adrian leaves. Thankfully, before the suitor can get aggressive, Adrian reappears and intervenes. Too late for Adrian, he’s assaulted and injured. Emma’s heart goes out to him for defending her.

Adrian recovers under Emma’s roof from his head injury. He’s smitten with Emma. During his recovery, he shares passionate kisses and tender embraces with Emma, who is equally smitten with him. Despite herself, Emma realizes she’s falling in love with the handsome rogue.

Adrian recovers and wants to court Emma openly. He makes several attempts to talk to her in private, seeking her consent. It’s a valiant quest that is thwarted at every turn by Emma’s overprotective brothers, who see to it Emma and Adrian are given no time alone. They’re worried Adrian might not have honorable intentions toward Emma, yet they don’t think to ask him.

Frustrated, Adrian strikes a deal to sneak into Emma’s room with the help of one the girls from her academy. Adrian finally makes his intentions known to Emma in private - he wants to marry her. She accepts. They make love. Afterwards, Adrian discovers he can’t escape – Emma’s brothers are blocking all the exits. The Boscastle women rally together and help sneak Adrian out of Emma’s room to the chagrin of their beleaguered mates.

The next day, Adrian goes to Grayson, Emma’s brother, and asks for her hand in marriage. Grayson allows it, and Adrian and Emma are married.

Adrian is summoned by his father, the Duke of Scarfield, to go home. The Duke wants to make amends for treating Adrian so poorly in the past. Adrian reluctantly goes, encouraged by Emma. At Scarfield, Adrian is reconciled with his father, thanks to Emma’s support. Emma agrees to stay with Adrian in Scarfield and gives up her etiquette school in London.

Learning to write about romance. Understand the romance forumla.

Adrian and Emma. They were a perfect match.

Find another Boscastle book.

Great. Adrian and Emma's romance was sweet.

is Jillian Hunter. She's written 7 Boscastle books. She has a website.

It's a great romance done in the regency style.

This is the sixth book in the Boscastle series, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. They story is fast paced. The plot is straight forward, with no real holes. It was nice to see the Boscastle women, Jane, Julia, Chloe, Eloise, and Jocelyn again, even if it was fleetingly. If anything, the story suffers from a lack of conflict after Adrian and Emma come together as a couple. Emma’s meddling brothers struggle to keep the lovers apart, which doesn’t ring true to their passionate natures.

The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and maybe a little a risqué from previous novels. Hunter’s love scenes are graphic, yet tasteful. Adrian distinguishes himself as romantic lead with his sweet, unashamed pursuit of Emma.

“The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke,” is a sinful romp that the reader will devour with a long lasting smile.

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Created Jun 21, 2009 at 5:23pm • Submit your own review...