Review of 'The Duke's Secret' by Sue Williams
Review of 'The Duke's Secret' by Sue Williams
Release date: Feb 3, 2026
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
REVIEW
It is always such a pleasure to read an Australian historical fiction novel by Sue Williams. It is so easy to lose myself in the drama and details where the characters come alive on the page. I am always swept away to the time period and feel a part of the story she creates so vividly from history. Sue has a true gift of drawing the reader in to the heart of story— swiftly and completely.
The author, Sue Williams, grew up with a legend that they were related to the Duke of Wellington. But through the limitations of past records and circumstances of her relative’s birth, it was challenging to prove. Nonetheless, it is not hard to understand why she would not want to see if it were true. This legend was passed down through generations of William Williams—including her father who ‘proudly recounted’ it for as long as she can remember. The book is aptly dedicated to him. And the inspiration behind this novel.
The Duke’s Secret is a fabulous dual timeline that flows seamlessly back and forth. I enjoyed both eras and how the two threads fit perfectly together. I never felt jolted in the transitions from the past to present. Both are excellently presented and beautifully delivered. The dialogue is engaging and suits each time period. The characters are well rounded with appropriate developments (some with slight changes while others more noticeable). It was easy to get a clear picture of who they were and who they become.
The past is told through ancestor Mary Ann and the present through Ava. Sue created the latter to represent aspects of herself. With her imagination she has filled in missing gaps in her portrayal of Mary Ann. Both are strong and determined women. Historical figures Arthur and his wife, Kitty, are presented with such skill it is easy to picture how they might have been in real life. Ava in the modern timeline is the seeker of the information (along with her father who has claimed his connection to the Duke). It is Ava’s mission to gather facts from various sources, including what she finds on her intriguing journeys overseas.
The novel opens in London where we meet Mary Ann Marshall of 1793 at Kingston House. She is in the midst of a maid’s duty, emptying chamber pots. A bit of humour here as we are reminded of some of the less appealing tasks of the past before flushing toilets! Mary has an accident when she is bumped into on the stairs. Countess of Mornington and her daughter are in such deep conversation, they don’t even notice her. Much to Mary Ann’s embarrassment, she loses her balance when Mary brushes past her and everything goes tumbling. The opening scene is quite an introduction to the world of the elite and working class. The atmosphere is highly charged after the smash and smelly experience. And we learn more about Mary Ann. It is her second week of employment and she wants to create a good impression. But things are going so well. She is supposed to use a different set of stairs for these menial household activities. But she does not want to go that way as the route is dark and dingy.
We learn then that Mary Ann is a combination of contrasts. She is a bright young lady but a rule breaker. She is conscientious but tends to follow her own set of rules and heart. And this eventually is what gets her into trouble with a certain attractive British officer who notices her. Mary Ann is smart, a good listener and offers her thoughts and astute observations. Arthur enjoys his conversations with her, which continue after his marriage to Kitty, a woman he was determined to marry. Unfortunately theirs is an unhappy union that will lead to more struggles. Kitty will get lost in the dust of his desires for other women. Out of duty and compassion, Mary Ann tries hard to help Kitty become more attractive and interesting to her husband. Even though Mary Ann is attracted to Arthur, she fights it. Until one night before he heads out to battle, she gives in to him and her desires.
It is interesting to see how Mary Ann develops and responds to others and to events that transpire. The things she learns and the experiences she has only proves her humanness. Yes, the battles between her conscience and carnal nature are real. And yes, a child is born while Arthur is away on the battlefield. Mary Ann worries. What will Kitty do to her, once she knows that she has betrayed her? The outcome is a surprising one.
Even though Arthur and Mary Ann’s daughter, Elizabeth, grow up with his other children, the Duke of Wellington never acknowledges publicly he is her father. But he promises he will when’s she turns 21 for then he will find her a suitable husband. But this match is meant to be someone of upper class and with a title. The possibility of such a union would be considered unlikely, given the social rules of the time. But Arthur being the Duke, expects he can make this happen. Will he succeed? One stumbling block he is not counting on— is Elizabeth herself. Will she want to marry someone for position or love? You can guess her decision.
William Williams enters the picture. He serves as a footman to the Duke of Wellington at London’s Apsley House and is well loved and trusted. What follows is most intriguing. And his connection to Ava in the present timeline (and Sue!) is exciting. It is very easy to see how this legend fuelled a powerful story. But I can also appreciate the challenges it posed in finding records to support a maid’s claim on the father of her child. He held such an incredibly high rank. In the modern timeline, Ava the journalist, is seeking the truth of her family’s connection. And discovers how difficult it is to acquire DNA to verify the claims (or suspicions). The reasons certainly make sense. And without DNA, gaining proof will be challenging. It is never easy digging around family roots, as you never know what you will find (or not find as some facts can be purposely hidden or left out of records or records are non-existent.) But Ava does a marvellous job unearthing valuable information.
Who was this man who made such big waves? From history books, we know the first Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1769 and achieved incredible military success as he was the man who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. I won’t give a run-down of all his accomplishments but they are vast and Sue does a wonderful job weaving them into the plot.
This novel covers a lot of topics: the mystery elements of genealogy, the difficulties in researching, creative theft, incompatible and awkward relationships, infidelity and more. From the modern thread, it was alarming to read of the theft of articles in the Journalism realm. Other interesting aspects of this novel are the various elements and characteristics mirrored in both timelines and in the characters. One example is how Ava’s father and the Duke had numerous romantic relationships.
There are plenty of surprises and realistic resolutions and conclusions in The Duke’s Secret. This is a story that will stick in my mind for a long time. The author’s personal experiences and connections, gave this story more heft and made its historical content more tangible and relatable. After reading a fair bit on the Duke, I can see how comprehensive Sue was in utilising her research. I felt I knew the Duke of Wellington extremely well by the close of the last page. He was quite a character with a roving eye but also a powerful military and political figure that made an impact on the world at that time. The fact Sue seems to have a strong connection to this historical figure is amazing. And it has given her a wealth of inspiration to create a stunning novel while allowing her to explore her own family roots. This is historical fiction with heart, passion, love, friendship, duty, devotion and desire—etched in fascinating ancestral studies. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my review copy.
