Ten years ago, Christine Sommers and Erik Boughton had been lovers.  They had shared a deep bond that would forever allow them not to forget one another.  Erik ended the affair in order to fulfill an obligation to wed another.  Heartbroken, Christine decided to travel the world to put her past behind her.

Now ten year later, the Duke of Sedgwick, Erik Boughton’s life is one that is filled with negative gossip from the town.  It is rumored that he is cursed and anyone who would find themself mated to him would meet with their untimely death.

Erik wishes to put the past behind him.  He enlists the aid of his old friend and love, Christine Sommers, to lead a dinosaur remains dig.  He hopes that if fossil remains are discovered that it will help to quiet the gossip of the town.

Christine agrees to help Erik with his request.  She questions whether her feelings will resurface when they work in such close conditions.  Then the unexpected occurs when she finds a female human bone at the dig site.  She questions whether Erik is the man she once knew or if he has turned into a beast who is responsible for his two wives’ untimely deaths.

Melody Thomas has written a spectacular book in Beauty and the Duke.  With richly developed characters that you immediately fall in love with, you are assured to find the best that historical romance has to offer.  Very highly recommended.