The Last Duke

Thornton #1

by Andrea Kane

Bestselling author Andrea Kane deftly interweaves her sensual love stories with breathtaking intrigue -- a touch of danger amid glorious romance.

Lady Daphne Wyndham is the only child of the brutal Marquis of Tragmore. Risking a beating each time she sneaks away to help the local vicar, Daphne fantasizes about the legendary Tin Cup Bandit, who robs the rich to aid the poor. His scandalous exploits inflame her rebellious spirit and fire her romantic imagination. And when he appears in her bedroom, she suspects all her wild dreams may come true....

Pierce Thornton grew up in a British workhouse, and now thirsts for vengeance against the nobility -- and the Marquis of Tragmore. As he plots to ruin Tragmore, a twist of fate opens an unexpected door, allowing him to fulfill his life-long crusade: bringing the fashionable world to its knees. But in the process he encounters a far greater peril...losing his heart to Daphne Wyndham.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Unfinished, Victorian, Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Coming in March 2019 from Andrea Kane: DEAD IN A WEEK.

Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.

Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.

Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.

Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.

With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.

Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.

Reviews

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it would be better after reading several reviews where people were gushing about how awesome it was.

The heroine and her mother are devoted to charity.Some would say a bit too devoted People like that scare me in real life,willing to give away all their posessions at the cost of their own safety.

I mean when the Tin Cup bandit breaks into her house,instead of being scared she offers him all her jewels. Also her father beating her and her mother when they displeased him/was found out to do charity work.

Its mentioned that her father is in debt,at first I though "Must be gambling debts or bad investments" But a couple pages into the book I came to the conclusion that it was his wifes and daughters charity that were to blame.

Im not sure the author intended it but thats how it came out looking to me.

The heroines nickname is "snowdrop" I expected that she would burst into song like some disney princess. She was so flawless that I came tp hate her.

And the romance then...The hero and heroine meet like two times and then theyre in LOVE.

Despite him being a cit and she being a lords daughter The father even introduces him to her (!!) The inaccuracies in this book...

The only thing that was historically accurate was the plight of the poor.

[Addie]

DNF 21%

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I bought a slew of Andrea Kane books when they were on super sale. Teaching me never to buy a slew of books if I am not familiar with the author. I loved none, but this one was slightly more tolerable. My distaste stems from the sugar sweet nature of the books.

The heroine, Daphne, is the abused daughter of Duke Tragmore. The hero, Pierce, the illegitimate son of a Duke whose origins were not discovered until his father dies, and thus grew up in a poorhouse, where he suffered neglect and abuse.

Despite beatings from her father, Daphne goes out of her way to help the poor. So it’s no surprise that the Tin Cup Bandit fascinates her. He’s a Victorian era Robin Hood. He steals from rich victims, sells his loot and donates the money to worth charities, leaving it in a tin cup. He also leaves a piece of his loot from the previous robbery at the site of each subsequent robbery.

I could spend paragraphs describing what drove me crazy, but I’ll only describe a few aspects. First, the work of the Tin Bandit is a major theme throughout the book - he steals from people he believe “Deserve” it because of their disdain for the poor. What doesn’t make sense is why none of the charities receiving the donations are required to give it back. If the theft victims are that bad, it seems that they’d go after the money. But it’s never really clear who knows what. Puzzling and nonsensical all around.

And then Pierce makes a big deal about Daphne’s need to gain strength and courage. She’s been putting up with her dad’s abuse for years, yet continues to help the poor. This girl has plenty of courage.

Despite these flaws, I enjoyed it. So there you have it.

[Mary23nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little cheesy and fantastical at times, but a nice light and fluffy read.

[Kait Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh Pierce is soooo dreamy. I fell in love with this story the first time I read it and the second time I read it I fell even more in love with this story. Though after reading it the second time I've noticed that the relationship between Pierce and Daphne is very loosely developed. There really wasn't any development between them until after they were married and that was different for me. I'm used to a relationship developing between the two main characters before marriage. I do love this story very much it has a special place in my heart and I am very happy with it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my first romances I picked up as a young woman. It has a special place in my heart.

It's a story of tragic beginnings and abuse finding solace in love.

Pierce grew up in a workhouse and Daphne with her father. Their worlds collide when the Tin Cup Bandit comes calling at her house.

I highly recommend this to anyone who like historical romance.

[Donna McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good historical suspense

I am a fan of Romantic Suspense, love it in fact. I am a fan of Andrea Kane's contemporary books, and she shows that she was great in the same genre back when she began writing. I would recommend her books to fans of Amanda Quick, Nora Roberts, Jayne Krentz, and Julie Garwood. A good book that was hard to put down. Highly recommend it!

[Mojca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daphne Wyndham has spent her twenty years on Earth in perpetual fear of her father and his vicious, violent temperament. But that doesn't prevent her from helping those less fortunate in any way she can...And hang the consequences.
But there's suddenly something she wants for herself. And that is the brooding, enigmatic Pierce Thornthon, who also happens to be the one man his father fears.

Pierce Thornton hates Harwick Wyndham, the Marquis of Tragmore with a vengeance. A vengeance that he's about to fulfill by ruining the Marquis once and for all. And the only thing preventing it, are the feelings he harbors for the man's lovely, defenseless daughter...


A nice little story of domestic abuse, hard divides between social circles and ranks, and one's ability to rise above it all.

It offered no superlatives, just the safe formula Andrea Kane is known for in her historicals. An instantaneous connection between the two protagonists that quickly blossoms into love, the hero using a unique pet name for the heroine, and slight suspense sub-plot thrown into the mix to bring the two of them together, captained by an avaricious villain willing to risk it all to gain the upper hand.

The trials and tribulations seemed pathetically easy to overcome, the trust between hero and heroine never wavered, and the villain got his due in the end (again, rather easily solved).

It was cute and sweet, yet nothing to write home about.

[Sharlyn Branson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Touching Love Story 💕

[Kitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise, making engineering it was going to be a swashbuckling hero story.
Though the story slowed midway and it was difficult to get through the dialogue.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back when I first started reading romance novels, I came across Andrea Kane. She doesn't read historical romance anymore, but for awhile I really enjoyed reading her books. And my favorite was The Last Duke. I have read this book so many times, and I know why I love it so much. That said, reading it again after many years, there are a lot of problems with this book, too.
What I Liked:

Pierce Thornton, the hero, has always been the reason I've loved The Last Duke so much. He is a a self-made man, pulling himself up from having absolutely nothing and becoming a very successful, wealthy man in Victorian England. I do love a hero who works hard, and that's certainly Pierce.
Pierce is also a nice guy. Well, I guess I should say that he is a nice guy to people who deserve it. He isn't a player, or afraid of getting married or any of that stuff that pops up in romance novels so often to add conflict. When he meets Daphne, he is instantly intrigued and attracted. And as he gets to know her more, he falls for her, and that's that. I really love that.
I have always loved the Robin Hood feel to parts of the book, too.
Daphne is a nice person, and I liked that too. I do have some issues with her characters, but overall I really like how kind and caring she is, especially given the way her father is.
I really feel the connection between Daphne and Pierce. I can see exactly why they are so good together. They have chemistry, but also souls that just mesh so well together.

What I Struggled With:

I cannot express enough how much I did not like the narrator, Flora MacDonald. I know she narrates many audiobooks, but this is the first I've ever listened to her, and I did not like it.
The language is so flowery. It even creeps into the dialogue, and doesn't sound natural at all.
Daphne is almost too good a person. It's over the top, what a good person she is. How much she will risk to help out the poor. And I understand that that is part of the reason Pierce and Daphne connect so well, but holy cow, it's way too much here.
The nicknames were a bit corny. All this Snowflame, Snowdrop business. She has a perfectly lovely name. Use that!

Final Thoughts:
I still love The Last Duke by Andrea Kane, but it is not a book for everyone. I love the hero, but the flowery language and too angelic heroine could be turn-offs for today's romance readers.This review was originally posted on Quinn's Book Nook

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps a 3.5/5. This is only my second adult historical romance (sorry if I make a lot of comparisons) and although I cant figure out why, it cant quite compare to Lord of Scoundrels. I loved Lord of Scoundrels, but The Last Duke didnt really grab me. I can only speculate as to why.

There where certainly a lot of difference. Lord of Scoundrels had what I understand to be a common formula for the genre, a spinster and a rogue. The Last Duke was very different. Daphne is very young and naive, nothing like a spinster. And Pierce is one of the most ridiculously kind and compassionate men I have ever seen written. He felt a bit contrived at times, as did their romance. The things they said to each other from the very beginning were so over-the-top mushy I had to shake my head at them. Even while having sex they sounded like they were reciting poetry. And although there was quite a bit of explicit content, they didnt quite have the same intensity as Jessica and Dain. Although, Pierce seemed to be a master in the bedroom like every other leading man of the genre, although there was no explanation for it. Perhaps it was innate skill, but usually these men are womanizers who have been learning the art of love making since they were old enough to with every whore in London. But Pierce is a practical man who said he had no time for woman before Daphne, and had focused entirely on his business until he met her. So where did the skill come from? Perhaps it doesnt matter, but once their physical relationship started Pierce went through such a drastic change that I unconsciously started imagining him to look in my mind the same way I had imagined Dain.

Despite not feeling as realistic as Lord of Scoundrels, I still enjoyed this. Pierce and Daphne were great characters. Both full of compassion and selflessness. They were amazing people, who were constantly thinking of others. And the story concerning the Tin Cup Bandit was very interesting. I loved the idea of Pierce trying to woo Daphne away from her fascination with the bandit, despite him being both men. Very clever. And there was a lot of really captivating intimate scenes that I still enjoyed despite feeling a bit contrived. And I intend to read the sequel The Theft, which concerns their son. It sounds like it will have a clever plot, as this did.

[Jilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Yuletide Treasure and then discovering it was really a short story that was part of a small series... I had to read more. I discovered the Thornton series which starts out with The Last Duke.

The Last Duke is about Daphne Wyndham and Pierce Thornton love story. See Lady Daphne is the only child of a brutal Marquis who despises her generosity. Her father sees weakness in helping and caring for others while Daphne tries her best to take care of everyone she encounters (which could be because she doesn't know the feeling, I suppose). Daphne's hero is the Tin Cup Bandit who steals from cruel rich noblemen and gives the money to poor houses to take care of the needy and helpless. And then the Bandit robs her home and Daphne is even more intrigued, enough so to help the man.

As you can probably guess who he is in the story.

Pierce grew up in one of these poorhouses and fought his way out into better standing and wealth only to discover later his own ties to nobility. Pierce has a deep loathing for Daphne's father and would do nearly anything to destroy the man but first he's determined to save Daphne and keep her for himself.

Kane is a good writer and while I can't say this story made me want to shout to all who would listen just how great it was, it did make me want to read the second full book in the series. Though admittedly I did wonder how this book connected to Yuletide Treasure.

[Razzymomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3 1/2 stars**

This is the third Andrea Kane novel I've read after just recently discovering her. I have to say that after thoroughly enjoying Echoes in the Mist and My Heart's Desire, I was a little disappointed with this one even though I did like it. Although I appreciated what a caring person Daphne was, it almost seemed a bit over the top and unrealistic. At the end (especially with how involved she became in the Sarah & James situation), I started to feel like she was crossing the line from being helpful to being overinvolved. What if that situation had turned out differently? Realistically, I think people want at least to be asked before someone jumps in & starts manipulating important facets of their lives. In regards to Daphne & Pierce's relationship, it all happened a bit too quickly for it to seem believable. Upon first meeting her, he was caressing her lower lip. Regardless of either's social status, that seems a bit forward. Imagine if someone you just met did the same to you. I'd personally be a little put off and creeped out. And this is supposed to be during a time when people were much more formal and far less forward. They just seemed to fall in love far too quickly. I liked both characters, but on a superficial level based on who they were supposed to be, not necessarily how they came across to me. Regardless, I still enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I would just caution the reader to keep in mind that, although there is almost always some level of unrealistic fantasy involved in romance novels, this one went a bit past that point.

[El W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Güzeldi de gittikçe saçma, sıkıcı bir hal aldı
Uzadıkça uzadı ne zaman bitecek acaba dedim

[Arlene Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Pierce get his revenge and also get the girl? Considering the target of his revenge is the father of his lady, how will that work?

The lady has a mind of her own and dislikes the way her father treats people who he thinks are defenseless including the poor and indigent who populate poor houses. Daphne and her mother help the local poorhouse and the children of the estate as much as they can without her father, an Earl, finding out.

I find Andrea Kane's historicals different from many of the more formulaic stories and have enjoyed them very much.

[myreadiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book can't put down. I love Historical fiction!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet book. I loved the fact that the Daphne and Pierce were honest with each other - what a refreshing change from most HRs, which seem to revolve around the "Big Misunderstanding". Both of them had kind hearts, and although this wasn't an angsty book, and although the writing tended a bid toward the flowery, I really enjoyed it :) 4*

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read quite a few historicals by Ms. Kane now and I must say that this one most likely is going to go down in history as my absolute favorite. The main characters held my attention from the get go and it was clear almost from the beginning that they were destined for each. Brilliant work Ms. Kane!

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. I was rather impressed by the flow of the book and the male and female lead were surprisingly tolerable to the point of being actually loveable. I want to read more fromt his author.

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually don't rank a book this low. Now, I liked parts of this book, but mostly, I thought it was just weird and uneven. The ending didn't make any sense to me. Too many sex scenes in the book for me.

[Nancy Messina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just not my cup of tea. I found the heroine naive. Sadly I just couldn't wait for the end of the book. I think that if it had ended 150 pages sooner I would have rated it higher, but it didn't and it just dragged on.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love when my rereads are as good as the first time.

I still love everything about this book, the MC's the side's the plot and problems and the way in which they're all worked out.

Pierce is a gem. Daphne a diamond. The tin cup bandit approves.

And so do I!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

[Heather McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is probably by far, my favorite historical romance by andrea kane!

[Yona Racheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one really good book, with a great story, characters and with even a better end. I enjoyed reading it a lot.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say that this book has been one of my favorites for many years. I read it probably once a year at least:)

[Diana Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light historical romance - just what I was looking for at the time. I enjoyed the writing and the fact that "good" won over "evil."

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. So many problems with this book, and it's definitely not for everyone. But my love of Pierce always makes me more forgiving. The narration was pretty horrible though. Full review soon.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Last Duke" - written by Andrea Kane and published in 1995 by Pocket Books. A pretty worthless romance.