Miss Prim and the Duke of Wylde by Stephanie Laurens - 3 stars

[Theresa]

Meg Cynster, the youngest single female Cynster of her generation, is facing the onset of her 10th Season on the Marriage Mart. She feels that after 9 seasons of not meeting the man for her, it's time to redirect her life. Then one day while visiting her brother and his family, she comes to the rescue of the Duke of Wylde in a seriously unique 'meet cute' and all changes. Meg and Drago, the Duke of Wylde find themselves engaged, at least temporarily though of course, this being an historical romance, that changes quickly. The plot on which their romance is hung involves Drago's need to marry by August and his 35th birthday or lose the financial wherewithall to support the Dukedom (yes - it's pretty preposterous - it's fiction) and mysterious murderous attacks on Meg that start once their 'fake' engagement is announced.

I really enjoy Laurens' books and the Cynster family which is on the brink of moving down yet another generation. Since Meg is one of Demon's progeny, we get to see a great deal more of Demon and Flick, from the Bar Cynster generation, than we have in a very long time. Plus members of the next generation are introduced here as they rally to help Meg and Drago capture the one wishing evil on them -- who was obvious from the beginning. I also realized at one point that another core aspect of the plot was that of choices for marriage - do I keep waiting for The One or do I settle or change direction away from marriage - something true today and in Victorian London. Also Laurens gives us a really detailed look at weddings at the very highest social levels of Victorian Era and the experience of a young woman being introduced to her new home and responsibilities as a Duchess.

Not one of the strongest in the series, and thus only 3 stars.