A gorgeous paperback edition of The Duchess by Wendy Holden. About the Book It was a love so strong, a king renounced his kingdom--all for that woman . Or was she just an escape route for a monarch who never wanted to rule? Bestselling author Wendy Holden takes an intimate look at one of the most notorious scandals of the 20th century. 1928. A middle-aged foreigner comes to London with average looks, no money and no connections. Wallis's first months in the city are lonely, dull and depressing.