The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke

Boscastle #6

by Jillian Hunter

Adrian Ruxley may be a ruggedly charming rogue, but he’s not a man to stand idly by while a lady is accosted–even at a wedding organized by the lady herself, Emma Boscastle, instructress in the social graces at her London academy for young gentlewomen. Adrian confronts the offender, a scuffle ensues, and now this smooth-talking heir is left to recuperate under Emma’s very roof, delighted to see the deep concern in her lovely face. She has a charm no scoundrel can resist.

Emma is scandalized by her own behavior–seduced by a handsome stranger, indeed! How will she be able to hide her indiscretion from the perceptive Boscastle siblings? The divine passion that Adrian has unleashed, and the sensual delights he has shown her, have suddenly turned Emma’s days at the fledgling academy into a display of impropriety and her nights into a velvet abyss of sensual abandon. But as their intimacy reveals Adrian’s turbulent secrets, Emma is inspired to her most ambitious endeavor: redeeming a rake.

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

345 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2007

About the author

Jillian Hunter is the bestselling author of over twenty historical romances. She lives with her husband, three daughters, a pug and a poodle in Southern California. She loves anyone who can make her laugh, which means she is in love with Mike Myers and Tyler Perry.

Reviews

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings. There were fragments I liked very much, but there were also some that made me roll my eyes.

This is a lust at first sight story. I'm not a big fan of such stories, because they are rarely well-written. In this case, I also had a problem with it sometimes. Of course, I had no doubts that Emma and Adrian are lusting after each other, that is very obvious. There are quite a few passionate moments in this book, although not too many sex scenes.

But lust is not enough to make a good relationship for me. And Emma and Adrian don't know each other very well. I admit that the author did her best to give the impression that they did know at least a bit. But the truth is that not only do they spend very little time together, but their relationship is also going very fast.

Also, every now and then, I was irritated by the behavior of the main characters. Emma is inconsistent, sometimes she is too naive, other times she looks like a strong woman who can deal with her brothers. After a few initial chapters, I started to see some character in her, but in the first chapters she was irritatingly silly. I was also annoyed by Adrian's charade of pretending to be more sick than he was. In general, I don't like the main character cheating on the heroin, and in this case, I didn't like it either. I also think he could show more understanding and interest in her work with young girls. Then it would be easier for me to believe that he respects her.

Overall, they made an interesting couple, and their story had a lot of potential. I even got to like the main characters towards the end, and I think, given the rush of the relationship, they really fit together pretty well.

This is likely my first book by this author, and certainly the first in this series. In this story, I have met most of the couples from the rest of the books in this series. But I am not totally convinced that this author is for me. Maybe I'll try to read something from her again sometime, but this book didn't work overly well for me.

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

leído en Marzo 2013

Me gustó!!

Los Diabólicos Placeres de un Duque

Arguemento:
Adrian Ruxley podrá ser un encantador libertino que hechiza hasta las moscas, pero no es un hombre dado a permanecer quieto mientras una dama es acosada, ni siquiera en una boda organizada por la dama en cuestión, Emma Boscastle, profesora de buenos modales en su academia de Londres para jóvenes damas. Adrian se enfrenta al ofensor, se produce un altercado, y ahora este adulador se encuentra recuperándose bajo el techo de Emma, encantado de la profunda preocupación que refleja su encantador rostro. Ella tiene un encanto que ningún libertino puede resistir.

Emma está escandalizada con su propio comportamiento, seducida por un desconocido, atractivo ciertamente, eso sí. ¿Cómo podrá ocultar su indiscreción de la mirada de sus perceptivos hermanos? La pasión que Adrian ha despertado, y los sensuales placeres que le ha mostrado, han convertido los días de Emma en la academia en una exhibición impropia y sus noches en un audaz abismo de sensualidad. Pero cuando su intimidad revela los turbulentos secretos de Adrian, Emma quiere afrontar su más ambicioso plan: reformar a un libertino.

[sadiereads_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 This is where I wish half stars were a thing on goodreads. While I really enjoyed reading this and loved the romance between Emma and Adrian, it felt like Jillian Hunter was just trying to finish the ending as quick as possible. There was also a character in the story that I thought would play a more important role or at least was added because they’d have a future book but it doesn’t seem that way, so I don’t understand the purpose of them other then helping out with a ladder. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Laura V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Emma, qué manera de romper años y años de decoro y buen comportamiento!

Me encantó porque con los Boscastle siempre hay una sonrisa asegurada. Emma, la máxima figura del buen comportamiento, cae totalmente derretida a los pies del pícaro diablillo de Adrian y no hay forma de deternerlos. ¿O sí? Diversión asegurada con los demonios Boscastle tratando de cuidar de su hermana mayor y detener un escándalo ¿o provocar uno?

Es una trama super sencilla, no tienen ni un problema de pareja, ninguna dificultad, ningún obstáculo (cosa que ME-EN-CAN-TA), se gustan, bien, van por ello y al grano, sin vueltas (PERFECTO). Adrian es un demonio perdido, Emma no es tan fría como se podría creer, y juntos se la pasan bien, se divierten, sonríen (mucho) y me pareció una unión digna del clan Boscastle.

Con ganas de leer más sobre Harriet, Charlotte, Gabriel...

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book again. The storyline and characters are delightful. Still a 5* from me again!

Feb 2020: read this entertaining story again. I loved how Adrian had escaped from Emma's bedroom, so funny - still made me laugh. 5☆

[Swee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this rather dull. The writing seemed a tad affected—liberal use of complicated words where simpler synonyms would have done a better job—the hero and heroine were boring, etc. Just not my cup of tea.

[Juliewheatcox.Net · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one did not have the spark that the previous in the series had. Even though Emma was a stickler for following society's rules, it would have spiced up the story if she had loosened up at least within the confines of the family.

[*MariaA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it :) but needs to be read in series (at least Chloe's story)for full effect!

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far the best Boscastle book.

[Jill B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jillian Hunter has always been hit and miss with me. This one is definitely a miss which is sad since this is Emma Boscastle’s story. The story is too lightweight. Emma is always worrying herself about bringing scandal to her school but I don’t really understand the problem. If she and Adrian (Wolf/Lord Wolverton) would have just been immediately forthright with Emma’s Boscastle brothers, the whole hide and seek thing would have been unnecessary. But that is almost the whole of the book. You don’t really know why the Boscastle brothers would not want Adrian for a brother-in-law (he made a promise; he was a mercenary). Adrian is their friend. And when Adrian and Emma did announce their intention to marry, the family immediately welcomed the idea. So what was the problem again?

The Boscastle brothers’ protectiveness is cute though. And that whole thing with the Boscastle ladies disguising Adrian as Aunt Hermia is also cutely funny.

I perked up a little by the end of the book when the newly-married Emma and Adrian finally go home to Adrian’s family home to reunite with his father, the Duke, whom he has had a contentious relationship with (reason why he ran off and became a mercenary). Serena, Adrian’s betrothed, is also interesting being so beautiful but also boisterous. But well it is the last chapter of the book so it is really too late.

Good thing Emma and Adrian’s chemistry is sizzling hot.

[Susan Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically a book written around sex scenes.

Adrian, a.k.a. Lord Wolverton, woos Emma Boscastle but the two lovers need to keep Emma's interfering brothers in the dark.
That does work for long.

The best character was Harriet, a teenager Emma takes in off the street to reform. I'd like to read a book about her.

[Clarissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this book is like reading while on cold medicine, only I'm not. Is it art? I don't think so - looks like it's just a rush job, an author's notes and a few intact scenes, published with a minimum of polish.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow in the beginning but picked up about half way. I really like both characters, Emma and Adrian. And I always enjoy a book where the main characters know what they want and go after it. Overall very enjoyable.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy read into historical times. Adrian Ruxley is a charming rogue, a hero of sorts, as he proves to be when he aids a lady, Emma Boscastle, who is being accosted. It is a delightful story of family loyalty, propriety, and following one's heart.

[Cs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing I have to say about this book is that they kept referring to the hero as the Duke, however, his father was still alive the entire book meaning he was NOT the Duke.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't believe the romance. At all. And that's a pretty big miss for a romance novel. I think that my "2" rating is generous.

[Heidi Brundert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story, liked it very much.

[Sofia Currin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually my favorite Boscastle book. Emma and Adrian are absolutely adorable and I adore their courtship. I do however wish there was more smut.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Boscastle story!

[Callie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pacing was a little off but otherwise I loved the tension and storyline.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

The attraction was hot, but never really felt like they got to know one another.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars
A quick read about the fun shenanigans of Adrian and Emma’s whirlwind courtship.

[Lizzeth Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. There was no villains no plots just a nice beautiful romantic story about a boy who fell over heels for a girl. I will most definitely reread

[Stephanie Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter weaves a tale of romantic abandon with “The Devilish Pleasure of a Duke.” Emma Boscastle, the dainty dictator of the Boscastle family, thought she’d never get married again until she meets Adrian Ruxley, a charming rake. The last of the Boscastle sibling series, the book pulls the entire Boscastle clan together in their quest to help Emma find love.

The book opens with Emma attending a wedding. When she spies Viscount Wolverton, Adrian Ruxley, trying to sneak comfits off the cake, she confronts him. They exchange witty banter and part ways, leaving a silent, yet powerful connection between them. Unfortunately for Emma, a potential suitor pushes his hand too far with her after Adrian leaves. Thankfully, before the suitor can get aggressive, Adrian reappears and intervenes. Too late for Adrian, he’s assaulted and injured. Emma’s heart goes out to him for defending her.

Adrian recovers under Emma’s roof from his head injury. He’s smitten with Emma. During his recovery, he shares passionate kisses and tender embraces with Emma, who is equally smitten with him. Despite herself, Emma realizes she’s falling in love with the handsome rogue.

Adrian recovers and wants to court Emma openly. He makes several attempts to talk to her in private, seeking her consent. It’s a valiant quest that is thwarted at every turn by Emma’s overprotective brothers, who see to it Emma and Adrian are given no time alone. They’re worried Adrian might not have honorable intentions toward Emma, yet they don’t think to ask him.

Frustrated, Adrian strikes a deal to sneak into Emma’s room with the help of one the girls from her academy. Adrian finally makes his intentions known to Emma in private - he wants to marry her. She accepts. They make love. Afterwards, Adrian discovers he can’t escape – Emma’s brothers are blocking all the exits. The Boscastle women rally together and help sneak Adrian out of Emma’s room to the chagrin of their beleaguered mates.

The next day, Adrian goes to Grayson, Emma’s brother, and asks for her hand in marriage. Grayson allows it, and Adrian and Emma are married.

Adrian is summoned by his father, the Duke of Scarfield, to go home. The Duke wants to make amends for treating Adrian so poorly in the past. Adrian reluctantly goes, encouraged by Emma. At Scarfield, Adrian is reconciled with his father, thanks to Emma’s support. Emma agrees to stay with Adrian in Scarfield and gives her etiquette school in London.

This is the sixth book in the Boscastle series, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. They story is fast paced. The plot is straight forward, with no real holes. It was nice to see the Boscastle women, Jane, Julia, Chloe, Eloise, and Jocelyn again, even if it was fleetingly. If anything, the story suffers from a lack of conflict after Adrian and Emma come together as a couple. Emma’s meddling brothers struggle to keep the lovers apart, which doesn’t ring true to their passionate natures.

The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and maybe a little a risqué from previous novels. Hunter’s love scenes are graphic, yet tasteful. Adrian distinguishes himself as romantic lead with his sweet, unashamed pursuit of Emma.

“The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke,” is a sinful romp that the reader will devour with a long lasting smile.

[Miriamgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to reread this Bocastle adventure to appreciate the characters more fully. decided that i enjoy all of Hunter's series and their intersections. This was no different. With fuller depth of the Bocastle family this became a far more interesting and entertaining adventure, my appreciation and ratings changed radically.
below my first impression, sometimes you cannot rely on first impressions and am seriously enjoying my reread of Emma's adventures. Do not jump to conclusions when reading a series out of order.


this was the first Boscastle read and perhaps i was somewhat harsh. the series should be read in order to adequately appreciate the tongue-in-cheek humor/passion/lust. so i may have to revisit this as Adrian figured prominently in my favorite which was Chloe's story.


the wit and banter did not make up for the surface of the narrative
like a sack race, it hopped and created laughter, but fell down before the finish
and if there is one thing i dislike it is a book ending in sexual act
gads, all the loose ends
tried reading another of the boscastles but didn't finish
i love the comment of one women on a book she wished had more smut
that is the problem with all these new recycled plots of regency romance
without historical detail, manual of seduction all the same, like a diagram, go here to here and here and then to here and this is what happens and then...

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

While attending a wedding with some of the girls from her academy, Emma flirts with a friend of her brothers and steals candy flowers off the cake for Adrian. Emma finds the man she is considering marrying accosting a servant, he turns to her and starts trying to convince her to ignore this and that they will be married. While he is literally twisting her arm, Adrian comes to the rescue and is injured in the process (hit over the head with a chair by a footman). Taken to Emma's brothers house to recover, things heat up between Emma and Adrian. Finally Adrian departs from the premises, but can not keep Emma off his mind. He tries several times to meet her again privately but her brothers have caught wind of their attraction. Until a decision can be made if they will allow the situation to continue, the brothers do everything in there power to keep the "lovers" apart. They did not take into consideration Harriet, the girl that Emma found and has decided to allow her into her academy to make her a lady. Harriet helps Adrian sneak in and the wives, sisters, and female cousins help him sneak out before a scandal happens. The next morning Adrian approaches the oldest brother to ask properly for Emma. Emma finally convinces Adrian to go home to see his ailing father.

[Sophie [at] Book Suburbia · Rating 4 out of 5]

How i loved this book. Emma Boscastle is what i would call a "proper nice". You learn about her thru all the previous Boscastle books and u find really hard NOT to like her... She has all the best elements a woman character needs to be complete, and with a match like Adrian, i think she could not be placed in a higher rank. I love how her brothers act towards Adrian. It kinda remind me my own brothers in high school....lol. But i must say tho, that 3/4 towards the end, i felt as she wanted to finish this book. Everythig happened so fast, so suddenly, i think she wouldve extended it a bit only to make sense put o some minimal things... But as always, the book is impecable! You did it again Mrs. Hunter :)

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the last two Boscastle books were so so, Emma's story was especially delightful. Reminiscent of other family series where one sibling is the straight laced slightly imperious one-it's Emma for the Boscastles. She is widowed and lives to care for others. Here comes Adrian (who we met in Chloe's story) and he is all things that she in not. Adrian is so much fun to read as he woos Emma and figures out a way to see her when at every turn the Boscastle Brothers interfere. It's the women of the family that come to her aid and it's sooo romantic and funny.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Bocastle is a proper woman, especially since she's trying to live down and control her infamous family. However, at a wedding, her current flame accosts her and she is saved by Adrian Ruxley who is then injured. He is attracted to the prim widow and welcomes the chance to be closer to her (though he wishes he wasn't so injured. Neither thinks they want anything more than an affair but circumstances (aka their families, hers being overprotective and his father (a duke) wanting to acknowledge the son he once threw out) interfere.
Not as good as some of the other Bocastle books but not bad.

[Yes, I Did Bring a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 (and only because I'm stingy.)
Jillian Hunter is in my top three of historical romance authors, and this book vies for my favorite of the Boscastle series. The contrast between buttoned-up Emma and the dashingly irreverent Adrian is adorable. Reading Emma's story offered an as yet unseen depth to her character, and the book introduces several friends that are revisited in future books as well.
Best part: the banter between Adrian and Emma. or Emma and Harriet. Or anyone and Hermia.