WHILE THE DUKE WAS SLEEPING

Narrator Esther Wane provides an outsider perspective in this unconventional historical romance featuring a lady's maid who is posing as her mistress, the fiancée of an unconscious duke. Wane perpetuates Adelaide's deception in an elegant, textured voice with an ironic undertone, reflecting her many experiences traveling the world. Rhett, the duke's wastrel younger brother, has a deeper, raspy voice with elements of both humor and disillusionment. Rhett's three female siblings all have distinct voices in conversation, as does Lady Cordelia, the real fiancée. Wane conveys the story's tension as everyone waits for the duke to recover, while Rhett and Adelaide pine for a future together. The wistful quality of the narration creates a sense of longing that draws listeners into the story. C.A. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]