A Crime of Manners [Mass Market Paperback]

Rosemary Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1996

"An absolute charmer."
--Barbara Metzger
SHE WAS AN AUDACIOUS MISS--AND CLEARLY EVERYTHING HE DIDN'T WANT!
Giles Vayne, the eighth Duke of Winterton, was rich, handsome, and arrogant enough to assume that every eager mother was throwing her daughter at him. He was right, of course. Unfortunately that cynicism, plus an ill-mannered comment, made a charming country miss the subject of town scuttlebutt before her first ball!
True, Henrietta Lanford had dreamed endlessly about his lordship--until his scandalous comment fueled her ire and her brazen public rebuke delighted the gossips to no end. She decided to encourage the attentions of another, unaware of his lascivious designs.
Soon scheming and seduction of all sorts compelled Giles to become her reluctant protector, as fair Henrietta discovered that the hero of her fantasies was quite real indeed . . . .
"A SPARKLING REGENCY ROMP."
--Barbara Hazard

Editorial Reviews

Review

Henrietta Lanford is going to attend her first Season in London. Her aunt, Lady Clara Fuddlesby will surely be able to find her a suitable husband. Henrietta meets not one but two men she is interested in-- Lord Baddick, who acts the perfect gentleman and seems intent to woo her, and Giles Vayne, the eighth Duke of Winterton. But the duke hardly seems interested in her and keeps giving her brotherly advice to stay away from Lord Baddick. In fact, every time they are together they argue. But there is something about the duke that makes Henrietta daydream about a future with him. Giles is tired of every woman of marriageable age trying to lure him into matrimony. He is also tired of listening to his dead father's voice being mimicked by the parrot he keeps, telling him to find a suitable woman for marriage. It's his duty to marry and produce heirs but Giles intends to do it in his own way-- making sure to find just the perfect duchess. Henrietta is far from duchess material-- she's only a squire's daughter. But because his own rude comments threaten to ruin the girl, Giles makes it a point to look after her. It would help if she would listen to him and stay away from Lord Baddick. It doesn't take long for Giles's brotherly concern to turn to passion when he is with Henrietta. But will he forget his title and his search for the proper duchess and give in to his heart?Rosemary Stevens writes a sweet, lighthearted romance that will thrill Regency fans! Romance that makes you sigh! A Crime of Manners is entertaining from beginning to end! The talented Rosemary Stevens knows how to capture the imagination! She writes of London society with a keen sense of detail and language! A very special Regency from the talented pen of Rosemary Stevens!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Inside Flap

"An absolute charmer."
--Barbara Metzger
SHE WAS AN AUDACIOUS MISS--AND CLEARLY EVERYTHING HE DIDN'T WANT!
Giles Vayne, the eighth Duke of Winterton, was rich, handsome, and arrogant enough to assume that every eager mother was throwing her daughter at him. He was right, of course. Unfortunately that cynicism, plus an ill-mannered comment, made a charming country miss the subject of town scuttlebutt before her first ball!
True, Henrietta Lanford had dreamed endlessly about his lordship--until his scandalous comment fueled her ire and her brazen public rebuke delighted the gossips to no end. She decided to encourage the attentions of another, unaware of his lascivious designs.
Soon scheming and seduction of all sorts compelled Giles to become her reluctant protector, as fair Henrietta discovered that the hero of her fantasies was quite real indeed . . . .
"A SPARKLING REGENCY ROMP."
--Barbara Hazard

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Ivy Books (March 31, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449224570
• ISBN-13: 978-0449224571
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,042,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A frothy Regency with some great characters, August 1, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: A Crime of Manners (Mass Market Paperback)

What happens when an independent country miss meets the arrogant Duke? This Regency features strong characters, a double romance, and a courageous cat. I especially liked the way the Duke kept denying his feelings for the lady.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute; not much substance but funny, May 7, 2007

By 

E. Lynch "romance book fanatic" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Crime of Manners (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the third Cats of Mayfair books that I have read and is number 4 in the series. I've read them all out of order so they pretty much stand alone. This is the most memorable one and I felt more lighthearted than the others. Since the description of the book is in the editor's notes ... I won't go through it all again. Suffice it to say there are some laugh out loud moments and some very touching ones. I enjoyed the cat in this book - "Knight" is very protective of those he loves ... but of course can be bribed with lobster by sweet older gentlemen. The parrot is another humorous animal character and he also creates havoc and fun!

Giles (the Duke) just can't seem to stop thinking of Henrietta. For Henrietta, it really was love at first sight because of her romantic bent. A rather off hand remark by the Duke sets up a confrontation between them and they bicker quite a bit - that is when Giles isn't drawing her into a passionate embrace! You are happy they get together in the end. I found Henrietta's rival very funny always putting her best bosom forward - you have to read to find out what I am taking about! There is some minor villainy which does add to the storyline.

I was not impressed with the rather hasty ending or some events that happen early on. If Henrietta had behaved as badly as the book indicates, I really think she would have been sent to rusticate in the country forever. All in all this is an entertaining afternoon read. A very strong 3!