Miriamgreen’s Reviews > The Return of the Duke > Status Update

The epilogue proved exceptionally satisfying. Griff has provided the heir, Esme now is working for the War office and will be traveling to Europe. And Marcus, traveling with her, will be “ At your side, at your front, at your back. Wherever you need me…” end of story.

I found images of compartment message rings now at the Victoria and Albert Museum. One specifically had tiles and I encourage a reader to search this out. It provides a stunning view of what such jewelry would have looked like.

https://share.google/J7x4YVjs0Wk6wBnBr

I am trying to imagine the ring, wide enough to have tiles that could conceal a message or a poison. I am still trying.

The Duchess as spy? All historical romances that have this trope have been enormously enjoyed. Lorraine Heath should think about that for future project.

Kudos to the author who in style created a ring that even in the imagination is beyond desirable

Marcus relates to Esme that she should see his home “ free of all it’s tarps and coverings…”
Another irony, the Kennedy Center finally has Trump’s name removed, but they have hung a huge tarp over the front. This is the petty revenge of a narcissist, who probably should be in a guarded home, definitely for the criminally insane. His policies have killed millions.

Marcus, His Grace, fortuitously arrives on Christmas Eve. It is interesting that I would be reading this during the Royal Ascot races, watching the King and Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales and a sea of top hats. In addition to the breathless thoroughbreds who are racing on grass.

Esme had a small Christmas tree. The first Christmas tree in the English court was introduced by Queen Charlotte (the German-born wife of King George III) in December 1800. She set up a yew branch adorned with tapers, colored paper, and sweets

Who can say what is the larger punishment? A moment, a month, a year before a person is hanged? Or to have Oglethorpe spend the rest of his days in an insane asylum. Insane people do not know they are insane because if they did, they wouldn’t be insane. But Oglethorpe had the fitting punishment of justice.

This note has redeemed the entire plot. And my faith has been restored.