As a reader, I find nothing more satisfying than an outstanding debut novel that’s going to be part of a series. Evie Dunmore’s historical romance, Bringing Down the Duke, has me eagerly awaiting the next in the League of Extraordinary Women series. Victorian suffragists take on the men who ruled England under Queen Victoria. And, because Queen Victoria herself was opposed to the women’s rights movement, in a sense they were taking on the queen herself.
At twenty-five, Annabelle Archer, a rector’s daughter, is brilliant but destitute. She reads Latin and Greek, but her life is controlled by her cousin who uses her as an unpaid housekeeper and babysitter. However, she demurely manipulates him, and even offers to pay him so she can be one of the first female students at Oxford in 1879. What she doesn’t tell him is that her scholarship is from the National Society for Women’s Suffrage, and, in return for that scholarship she’s expected to support them. Her cousin, Gilbert, would be appalled.
He would also be appalled and force her to return to Kent if he knew she was passing out leaflets to influential men in Westminster. She has the temerity to ask Sebastian Devereux, nineteenth Duke of Montgomery, if he’ll support the amendment of the Women’s Property Act. Her own act of courage turns her life upside down as well as Montgomery’s. Before she knows it, she and two new friends are sent off to Montgomery’s home while he’s out of town, to try to influence his brother and a number of friends. But, Montgomery returns early to find his home overrun by drunken Oxford students and three suffragists. When he finds Annabelle asleep in his library, he accuses her of trying to trap a duke.
“Annabelle Archer, commoner, bluestocking, and suffragist.” Annabelle always thought she could outmaneuver and outwit any man. But, Montgomery is a confidante of Queen Victoria’s, powerful enough with his ten estates that the scandal of his divorce didn’t ruin him in society. Now, he’s tasked by the Queen to be the chief strategic advisor in the next election. If he can manipulate peers and his unruly brother, he can certainly match wits with Annabelle Archer. She finds herself debating and sparring with a man who has nothing to lose. “It took more than an educated woman with opinions to threaten him.” But, these two brilliant people will find their hearts threatened by the honesty and fire in each other. And, they both have more to lose than the other one suspects.
Dunmore’s debut is a well-researched historical novel of the suffragist movement in England, women’s positions and vulnerabilities at the time, and class differences. Bringing Down the Duke is a passionate novel about two people, victims of their roles in life, who are caught up in history. Fortunately for readers, this first book in the League of Extraordinary Women combines the best of history with the best of romance. Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke celebrates happily-ever-after and men and women who are strong enough to fight for their own beliefs and integrity.
And, a note: Perfect background music for this book? Mendelssohn.
Evie Dunmore’s website is www.eviedunmore.com
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore. Jove, 2019. ISBN 9781984805683 (paperback) 360p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – library book
Lesa, from your review, it seems like the cover of this book doesn't really represent its tone. What do you think?
I don't think it does, Margie. I loved this book, and I ordered my own copy. But, despite the sensuality, this book is much more serious than most of the other historical romances I've been reading. There's much more emphasis on the history than in most of the other romances that emphasize the social elements, the balls and meetings. You hit it on the head. The tone is much more serious. Excellent debut.