Never flown a Duchess myself, but I can give you some help, seeing as how it's a fairly standard twin trainer.
Generally, the engines are primed before start via the electric fuel pumps.
As for the flight controls...You check the controls the same as you would in a plane where you can see the tail. You'll do a full box check, and you're mostly looking to see if anything sticks, binds, etc. You know the drill.
For crosswind landings, my method of choice in a twin is the kick-out method. I started using this flying Seminoles due to the heavier controls, and since then I've started doing it in all aircraft.
Can't help you with the control feel...Though I'd expect heavier than a Cessna. The Piper was built, and felt, like a truck.
For the most part, I don't think you'll have much of a problem flying a twin. Your big issue for the first or second flight is staying ahead of the plane, but it's really not THAT fast, so don't let your brain tell you otherwise. Another thing to be wary on is that flying a counter-rotating twin can make you very lazy with rudder usage. Make sure you stay on those rudders when you need to, and I'm sure you'll do just fine.
EDIT: Looks like say_speed beat me to the "submit" button. Ah well...I stick by what I said.
