April 2, 2021
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
The basics
Title: The Duke and I
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #1
- The Duke and I (2000) - The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000) - An Offer From A Gentleman (2001) - Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002) - To Sir Philip, With Love (2003) - When He Was Wicked (2004) - It's In His Kiss (2005) - On the Way to the Wedding (2006)
Add it: Goodreads
Goodreads Summary:
In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable…but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen. Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar. The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: Love ignores every rule…
Here is a spoiler summary of what happened in The Duke and I by Julia Quinn to help refresh your memory before you read the sequel.
What happened in The Duke and I?
- Simon has been raised by his father, the Duke of Hastings, as his mother died during childbirth.
- Simon was slow to learn to talk, and when he did he had a stutter. The Duke of Hastings was not happy with this and let the servants raise him. The Duke didn’t correct people when they thought his son was dead.
- Simon studied at Eton and Oxford and there he met Anthony Bridgerton.
- Simon goes to a ball, and witnesses a fight between a woman called Daphne and a man who wanted to marry her. Daphne is Anthony’s sister.
- Simon hits Nigel, the man, because he won’t leave Daphne alone.
- Simon and Daphne dance together. They talk, and they agree to fake date so Daphne’s mother will stop trying to pair her up with people.
- Anthony doesn’t like Simon courting Daphne, especially after they explain the fake dating to him. He’s very unhappy with this at first, but eventually Daphne persuades him to go along with it.
- At another ball, Daphne and Simon kiss. Daphne realises she has feelings for Simon.
- Anthony isn’t happy with this and so he and Simon have to duel.
- Daphne follows the two men and tries to get them to stop. She thinks Anthony is being stupid, and announces that she will marry Simon.
- Her mother is thrilled.
- Anthony and Simon make up. Simon promises to look after Daphne.
- The wedding happens and everyone is super happy.
- Then Daphne finds out that Simon lied to her about his ability to have children. He told Daphne that he couldn’t, but the truth is that he doesn’t want to have children. They argue and Simon leaves the house for a bit.
- Daphne returns to her family home.
- Colin visits Daphne and he’s very angry on her behalf.
- Three weeks later, Daphne starts to write a letter to Simon to say her piece.
- Anthony shows up and he’s also super angry on Daphne’s behalf. Daphne tells Anthony to stay out of it but Anthony won’t. He plans to deliver Daphne’s letter.
- Anthony speaks to Simon and tells him off. He hands over the letter.
- Simon reads the letter and learns that Daphne is pregnant with his child.
That’s what happened in The Duke and I! Check out our recap list for more recaps. If you can’t find what you need, you can request a recap from us!
