The Runaway Duchess

In this second volume of Lowell’s “Duke Undone” Victorian romance series, self-proclaimed “expert snob” Lavinia Yardley is accustomed to getting what she wants. When misfortune forces her to marry an abominable, aged duke, what she wants is to be anywhere or anyone else. That opportunity presents itself when a charming botanist, Neal Traymayne, mistakes her for a colleague, whom he knows only through correspondence, and invites her to accompany him to Cornwall. Lavinia seizes her chance for escape and adventure. While many romance writers focus on creating an immersive setting, Lowell’s focus is on character development, yielding an authentic and engaging lineup. It is no surprise that narrator Mary Jane Wells has a score of acting credits to her name, as she expertly breathes life into each character. Her silvery voice ranges from singsong to smoky as needed.