His Last Mistress refers to Lady Henrietta Wentworth who was the last mistress of the Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son of King Charles II. The story is a passionate one between a man who felt he should be king after the death of his father. Duke Monmouth claimed that the King and his mother, Lucy Walter, who was King Charles mistress, were married while the king was in exile. Because he believes this to be true he does not consider himself illegitimate and the throne should pass to him instead of his uncle who would be King James II. Duke Monmouth was instrumental in a plot called the Monmouth Rebellion which was his undoing.

Lady Henrietta broke off her engagement to Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet because she fell in love with the Duke. The Duke was reputed to be in trouble all the time and his father has him exiled from court for his part in a plot to gain the throne. Lady Henrietta joins him in Holland where they are guests for a time with William III, the Prince of Orange and his wife Mary.
This novel is fiction based on fact of a passionate and doomed love affair of two people who had a part in English history but are not often written about. Aside from a few grammatical errors, I enjoyed this story as I love historical fiction and it is refreshing to take a step away from the Tudors. It is a fast paced and easy to read novel. If you are interested in English history in the later 1600's, then give this book a read. I look forward to reading the next book by this author. ( )