Duke and Duplicity

Rogues & Gentlemen #15

by Emma V. Leech

The Duke of Ranleigh is lonely. He’s also bored out of his mind. Tired of the same people at the same parties and the same women all hoping to become his duchess, he knows something has to change. Though he’d die before he admitted it, Ranleigh has a romantic heart and is looking for the one … the woman who will make his jaded soul sing and fill the void in his life.

‘Archie’ Archibald has a secret, a secret Archie’s new friend the duke doesn’t know.

For Archie is no cheeky young buck as Ranleigh believes … but a girl. She swore she’d never deceive anyone about her identity again but finds herself thrust into Ranleigh’s world, and his confidence, before she has the chance to tell him the truth.

‘Far worse, and far more dangerous, Archie is falling for him.

Archie must make a choice, reveal all and risk ruin – staking her hopes on the possibility the duke could return her feelings – or keep her peace and disappear from his life.

Little does Archie realise … her secret might not be as safe as she supposed.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2019

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but I found this utterly boring and so disappointing.

What on earth was this story meant to do? show how inclusive the author can be?

A totally inauthentic, unrealistic, unbelievable fairy story which left me cold. I have totally loved so many of this author’s books, but this totally missed the mark for me. I couldn’t identify with the heroine and found the entire story disappointing.

I can’t get excited about men’s clothing. Sorry!

[Gen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a bit disappointed with this book. I have loved every book in this series so was disappointed with how this went. Really wanted to read Ranleigh book after knowing him in a few other books but this was not how I imagined his story. I can understand the heroine backstory of how her father needed help on the farm so dressed his daughter in men’s clothes. But why didn’t he get her to wear dresses when they came inside for the day. So that way she would’ve been used to dresses for a part of the time at least. Have read another book where the heroine was a farmer and wore pants on the farm to work but when in the house changed to dresses. Anyway the heroine had to go thru so much confusion and agnst for over half the story while secretly in love with a duke who thought she was a man as she hadn’t been honest with him when he assumed she was a he... I honestly kept groaning thru this book as so much could’ve been solved in the begginging with her being honest and then the love story could’ve delevoped a bit more. But the author was trying to push themes that where taboo and would never have been accepted in those times, no matter if you where a duke and could whether the scandal. Would’ve loved more of the hero’s perspective as 70% of the book was from her and it was all about her lies that she was trying to keep hidden and running away. And he kept chasing her not knowing why he wanted her in his life, thinking she was a man. Got very draining. Felt very onsided with how much he gave and she never gave in return. Marriage is about compromise. They could’ve easily designed wide legged pants that looked dress like so that she could still wear pants but be feminine. Credit to the author tho, she writes very well that I kept reading cause I wanted to know how it played out. Was just dissapointed at the end as it felt weird and not accurate to the time period.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Different

I could not get into this one. It was totally unrealistic for its time as no woman would willingly walk around in men’s clothing and take pride in it. Yes perhaps to hide and disguise herself as in beginning but to flaunt that and do so when there was no need after she was no longer in hiding that was too much for me and a very disappointing ending to this book

[CAITLIN · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - anachronistic language; progressive themes .... But sweet! The ending was wholly unrealistic (DL Carter did it better), but the majority of the book was enjoyable.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books . Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you

[Jaquine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good and unique. I like the characters but I didn't "love" them. Archie is a good heroine but I didn't like that she didn't even try to connect with her feminine side even after all Ranleigh had done. I understand being different but she should have tried a little for the hero, even if he seemed okay with it. She didn't compromise in any way at all instead he had to do all the giving. I also didn't like how she kept dragging the secrets so long. Ranleigh is a good hero but he didn't make my heart flutter. He seemed to do all the work in the romance, he kept giving and had to drag Archie to stay even though she kept running. It's an okay read.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular book covering a multitude of societal norms and taboos. This is the first book I have read from Emma V. Leech and I loved it. I foresee me reading more of her books in the future. The lead female character, (Jennifer Archibald) Archie is a unique and progressive person for her time. Her friends were as unique as she was. They all loved her and were willing to do whatever it took to protect her. Archie had secrets. At first, I was a little disappointed by the fact that her gender was revealed at the beginning of the story. But there was more to Archie that she kept hidden from everyone even her closest friends. She meets Guy de Warenne, the Duke of Ranleigh, quite by accident. They hit it off and the Duke invited her to join him on the trip back to London. They spent several days together traveling in his coach. Archie felt drawn to Ranleigh but feared her secret would destroy whatever friendship they had. They kept crossing paths for several months. Archie was heartsick. She was head over heels in love with Ranleigh, but knew she had to stay away from him or risk exposure. Every time Archie would escape Ranleigh's company he would pursue her. She was terrified. Eventually Archie decided to put such a distance between them that it would be folly for Ranleigh to follow her. But just before she left, leaving Ranleigh behind for good, he appeared again. After spending more time with Archie, Ranleigh tried to get her to open up and trust him. He had the niggling feeling that there was something still off. Then he figured it out, but decided to keep it to himself till she revealed it on her own. He loved her and wanted her to trust him desperately. She finally revealed herself to him. After that they came to grips of their mutual love. Archie still feared of Ranleigh being ostracized by society that she refused to marry him. But Archie still had a secret that no one knew and she felt so threatened by it that she was willing to let Ranleigh go. Finally, Archie confessed and you will never guess what she was hiding. It was such a shock to me. I know if you like Regency novels that are unique with different angles and perspectives you will totally become immersed in this dramatic story. It is so worth the time to read. You will not be disappointed.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and different story from the beginning - I found so much entertainment, understanding and love throughout the book.

The Duke of Ranleigh has sown his oats, he's lonely and wants a wife and an heir but he wants to find love and someone who will understand him. He is tired of London; the same balls, the same people, the same women and young debutantes hoping to be his duchess.

Jennifer "Archie" Archibald is running from her home with a secret - a young woman can't travel alone so she must dress as a gentleman. She meets the duke when she warns him of a pickpocket - he thinks she is a young man and before she can tell him the truth; she finds herself in his world and they become friends. The worst thing was that he still thinks she is a cheeky young man and she is falling in love with him.

Archie knows she must completely break away from him or take a chance of ruin by telling him the truth, in hopes he may care for her and forgive her deceit. Does Archie keep her identity and her secret that caused her to run from home or is there a chance it could work out?

I highly recommend this book and Emma Leech has characters that pull you into their lives and a story that makes you laugh, love and hope for a HEA!

[Lotten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma V Leech är en av mina favoritförfattare vad gäller romance, och Duke and Duplicity är dessutom regency romance. Det är femtonde delen i en serie som jag inte läst tidigare delar av.

Duke and duplicity är annorlunda än en hel del andra jag läst i genren, den tar ut svängarna ännu mer i att utmana normerna. Författaren låter paret kämpa med fördomar genom att de flesta tror att Archie är en man utifrån hur hon klär sig och agerar. Naturligtvis så är det även där som förvecklingarna ligger. Jag gillar greppet och framförallt så gillar jag hur karaktärerna i grunden har respekt för varandra och inte försöker förändra partnern. Det kanske inte är en historia som är så autentisk (i synnerhet givet tidseran den utspelar sig i), men jag tycker om grundtanken.

Den här minirecensionen skriver jag ett halvår efter att jag läst boken, så flera av detaljerna har jag glömt. Känslan är att jag tyckte om den men att den inte var den som passade mig bäst av de böcker jag läst av Emma V Leech.

Betyg: 4-

https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...

[emma locker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good

I've been following this series and the authors other recency stories and they hAve been really good. But something was missing with this one. The heroine irritated me. And we didn't get the hero's perspective for most of the first half. I think his realisation coming so late on might be the issue. Because it meant there was a distinct lack of sexual.tension throughout. an attempt was made to add it in the latter third but by that point the story had been plodding Round in circles for so long it all felt a bit squeezed in! Also im.sorry but the heroine continuing to wear her manly attire and the Dukes blaze attitude to rumours of homosexuality; punishable by death at the time, were just too much of a stretch of the imagination. I'm a bit gutted to be honest because some of the stories in this series have been exceptional.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie is trying to get back to London, always on the run from her past. She steps in to help a man whose pocket is picked, and retrieves his gold watch, getting beat up in the process.

Ranleigh is thankful, and wants to help Archie with her wounds, then offers to take her along when he’s returning to London. They become good friends, with Archie beating him at various challenges, and challenging him in conversations, though he’s a Duke.

After that, she keeps disappearing because he doesn’t know she’s not a man, and her other, bigger secret. But Ranleigh is persistent, lonely and longing for her company.

All comes to a head and is wrapped up, with Ranleigh beyond caring what Archie wears, as long as she’s his.

Great book, with so many modern ideas that provide scandal, but are not cared about by the little misfit group in this series.

Love it.

KU

[Megan Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.75

I LOVED THIS BOOK

I love Archie and I love Ranleigh. Archie is TOTALLY TRANS, and Ranleigh is definitely at least bisexual, I don't care what anybody says.
This was so cute- there's such good banter in this book, I finished it in like one day because I just couldn't put it down. It has some dark elements but overall, it's just so cheerful and ideallic and it had me kicking my little feetsies and giggling like a girl, cause it was just so fun.
And even though it is kind of insta-love, I can really buy the relationship, especially towards the end.
The only reason its not a complete 5 stars for me was because the angst and secrecy on Archie's end started to get a little bit annoying, although ig I can't blame him... (spoilers)
I just wish he'd pull his head out of his ass and let Ranleigh help him just a little bit earlier, y'know?
Overall, GREAT read!

[BeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Ms. Leech’s books, and they are always highly entertaining. However, this one is by far my favorite. Not only is it exceedingly witty and funny, but the love story between these two characters is so beautiful. Having gotten to know Archie in “A Slight Indiscretion” and then Ranleigh in “The Corinthian Duke,” I knew they were both special characters and I couldn’t wait to read their story. This book was beyond even my expectations, though. I think part of this is Ranleigh - avoiding spoilers, it is just so refreshing to have a mature and understanding hero, one who isn’t tortured, who knows what he wants, and who doesn’t jump to anger or make assumptions. In short, I loved every minute of reading this novel.

[Debra Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

What's next? A male cross dresser with a hairy chest dressed in ball gowns?

Definitely not my kind of romance. Found it difficult to empathize with a heroine who struggled with her feminine side or lack of one. I have liked or loved every other book by this author, but instead of leaving me a satisfied reader I just came away with feeling kind of icky. I kept wandering what they would look like as a couple with matching tail coats and caveats and the thought of her being pregnant and looking like Penguin in Batman and Robin, I just couldn't get past. I hope this isn't the start of a new trend.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie is delightful and very amiable to be around. Down to the last coins, Archie saves a Duke from losing his watch. The Duke of Ranleigh offers his friendship and help. He has money and power, but Is very lonely. In meeting Archie he finds a wonderful companion, except Archie is troubled and has secrets. Ranleigh wants to help, but Archie won't say what's wrong and keeps running away. A persistent Duke leaves no stone unturned. Then Ranleigh sees what he missed before and doesn't care that Archie is different. His love is put to the taste when he learns a darker secret. A touching, beautiful love story. I fell for the Duke!!!

[Melba Hard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different, takes scandal to a new level

I really love Emma's books and this was no exception. We now know Archie s
screts which I guess we're pretty much what we expected. It was great to see how the Duke suddenly became aware the Archie was a girl and how patient he was with her..It was also great th meet up with Tommy ,Alex Will and Erasmus again.
I am so glad this isn't the last book in the series as I was really worried it was going to be.. I just want to know who will be next, it can't be Tommy! because the photo didn't show blond curls

[Cindy Neary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Duke and a woman who dresses like a man

Another great original story from this author. Archie is a woman raised by a single father who didn't know what to do with a daughter. So she grew up dressing like a boy. Now an adult she meets a Duke and they hit it off. Of course he doesn't realize she's a girl and can't understand why she starts to avoid him when she realizes that she is falling in love with him. And she can't tell him she's a girl. A lovely book about being different and being loved anyway.

[E Oygard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't understand the heroine

I don't understand the heroine in this story at all. She was introduced in a previous book and I disliked her character then and my opinion has not changed. What was the big deal in the clothes she wore, really? Everything was too saccharine, the way she was accepted without the slightest comment even. Readers know the rogues and gentlemen are all pals, but come on! No dialogue asking if Ranleigh knew what he was doing, getting into, making a mistake? Sorry, I disliked the story even though I read it to the end.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding your match

I absolutely loved Ranleigh and Archies story. Ranleigh wanted what those around him had a love match. He never thought he would find the one. When a young cub in Archie helped with a pickpocket it took him awhile to figure out why he needed Archie in his life.
Archie has dressed as a man her whole life and she knows no different. She has tried dresses but they just are not for her. But when she meets Ranleigh and falls in love how will he feel when he finds out she is actually a woman.
A beautifully written story story with a wonderful ending.

[Emily Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally... Archie

I am so unutterably happy for the way this particular story turned out. Though I know it isn’t very realistic given the timeline the books are set in: Ms Leech has created the world in which I would like to believe in, the one in which I’d like my children to live in. She doesn’t shy from real world difficult subjects but the tolerance and friendships she has created in HER world let you see what life could be like despite such problems. Thank you Ms Leech.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of acceptance - a bit anachronistic but eh, it's fiction! Archie has been living as a man since fleeing the dark past left after the death of her beloved father. A chance encounter with the duke of Ranleigh at the horse track leads to a friendship she both craves and fears as her feelings for him grow. I do grow tired of "deep dark secrets" the characters refuse to reveal, but a little skimming was worth it for the many good parts of this story.

[Mary Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for Archie's story

Oh my goodness! I have been waiting on nails for Archie's story. And it us just as good as I had hoped it would be. Wonderful Archie finds a man of her own AND he is a duke. But this story had it all. I am definitely putting it on my favorite shelf!

[SR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Your Arrow

In a world of absolutes of expectations, a young lady dares to be her own person, at no little risk to herself, and a man, mature enough to recognize there are no absolutes in life, come together to prove happiness lies within themselves and each other, not the expectations of the world.

[Richard Burlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book with a good plot. We are reintroduced to two characters from earlier books in the series and they are well developed into the main characters of this story. Archie is particularly good and it is easy to empathise with her.

There is much less drama than in some of the previous books but this works very well.

[Alyssa Calonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Original

Once again Emma has created amazingly real, complicated characters. Archie is an original and deserves a man who loves & accepts that. And that is what she gets. It's nice to read a book where the heroine is not the cookie cutter Regency woman.

[Phil Ellenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

A book by Ms.Leech is always an adventure. She can put more twists in a story than an acrobat could in a pretzel. Also she inevitably brings you back to altered but familiar territory. What fun the journey is.

[Nicole LaBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.

It was amazing to see that Archie got a happy ending with all the troubles she was dealing with. It was hard to put down. The twist and turns of this story kept you glued to the pages.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for the character of Archie in this book or any of the previous books. Also didn't like what was done with Ranleigh's character. He did not seem as charismatic as in previous books. To me he seemed like a different person. I did enjoy the chapters regarding Archie's husband.

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolutely Wonderful, Entertaining & Romantic Story.

This Story was Absolutely Wonderful.

Archie & Guy"s (Ranleigh) were were Absolutely Wonderful characters.

I am looking forward to reading Fredericka & Ross's Story in the next book in this series.