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DUCHESS FOR A DAY
By Nan Ryan
Historical romance
February 2005
Mira
ISBN: 0-7783-2141-X

Claire Orwell is a widow who has become a governess to earn her keep. When she goes to work for the loathsome Lord Nardees, he insists that she become his mistress. When she refuses, he lies to authorities, saying that Claire has stolen some of his wife's jewelry.  Claire is thrown into prison.

There she meets an old woman who recognizes her as the half sister of Lord Northway, the queen's counsel. She sends him a message and he arranges for her to be released. Claire returns the favor by begging the release of the old woman. Northway has arranged for her to go to Saratoga, New York, and oversee the opening of the home of Duchess Charmaine of Beaumont for the racing season. Claire and the old woman, Olivia Sutton, sail for the United States.

Hank Cassidy is known as the silver king. He has made a large fortune in the mines of Nevada. He and his friend, horse trainer Fox Connor, are headed for Saratoga and the racing. Fox is bringing Hank's horses from his farm in Kentucky. In the Saratoga train station, Hank sees Claire and instantly desires her. But she moves quickly through the crowd and is lost.

Claire noticed Hank. She has decided to have one fling in her otherwise common life. She will masquerade as the duchess until the real one arrives. Then she will disappear to make her living as before. Olivia is a willing partner.

Hank perseveres and finds Claire. By now, she has been accepted as the duchess. She begins a flirtation with Hank with the intention of having an intense affair and leaving. After the chase, she permits Hank to catch her and they have a love affair which is of incredible heat. They begin to fall in love.

The loathsome lord arrives with his equally loathsome family. He is in a position to reveal Claire's imposture if they meet. Claire is in a panic. She decides to depart a little early so that Hank will never know the truth.

Ms. Ryan has done her homework. The descriptions of Saratoga and the glittering life there at the turn of the 20th century are excellent. Alas, she has not done equally well with the lifestyle. She ignores the realities of British family life and of "what is done" in polite society and what is discreetly done behind closed doors. While the fiery romance between Hank and Claire is charming, the way in which they go about it would have both banished at the time. Much of the dialogue is more apt for a contemporary novel. Otherwise, the story is excellent and well told.

      -- Reviewed by Steven Lopata
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