How to Dance with a Duke (Ugly Ducklings Trilogy, #1)

by Manda Collins

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father's exclusive academic society forbid her entrance until she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father's name of a scandalous rumour, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club - and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it. Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He's a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily - even is that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season's most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: his brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston's expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer's bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened...or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined...

• ISBN13: 9780312549244
• Publish Date: 31 January 2012
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 19 January 2017
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Saint Martin's Griffin,U.S.
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amanda]

3.5

Should we talk about the predictability first? There's a bit of mystery here: what happened to Lucas's brother. And though that wasn't necessarily predictable, I did figure out who was behind everything the first time that particular character appeared in the story.

The first time. I also guessed the character would do something at the end that would draw Cecily and Lucas together at the very end. Either I have excellent guessing skills or How to Dance with a Duke was predictable.

But it was still enjoyable. Even if I don't quite believe you can be shot in the shoulder and then be up and moving around the next day like nothing happened and have no lasting effects. *gives that situation the side eye*

I've talked before about how I like heroines who are smart and/or ahead of their time. And Cecily definitely fits that score. Which is why this book worked for me, doubts and predictability aside. It was a good way to spend an evening, and I plan on picking up the next books in the series. (Plus, I liked the cousins.)

[Cocktails and Books]

Look for review on Night Owl Reviews.