A True Lady [Paperback]

Edith Layton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Hoping to secure a future for his beautiful daughter, sea pirate Captain Whiskey kidnaps Magnus Titus Snow, Viscount of Camden Hall, and forces the pair to marry much to the disgust of both bride and groom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Being the daughter of the pirate king isn't always easy-- especially when he's determined to marry his daughter off even if he has to kidnap the groom. Cristabel lives on a tropical island, but longs for life among society in London. When her father brings her "a fine English gent" to marry, she refuses at first. After all, the man is being forced to marry her at knifepoint-- hardly an ideal situation. But when her father threatens to kill him, she goes through with it. Then her father puts her and her new husband on a ship bound for England and she realizes her dream is coming true. Cristabel's mother was a true lady and all her life Cristabel has wanted to be like her mother-- a lady in every way. Mistaken for his brother Magnus, Martin Snow goes through with the mock wedding to save his skin. But he isn't really married to Cristabel-- much to her delight-- because he's already married to someone else. He reluctantly agrees to part ways with Cristabel when they reach England, but he knows that when Magnus finds out, he won't be happy with the way Martin handled the situation. Cristabel, on the other hand, is thrilled with a chance to be on her own for once. Being beaten up in the streets and accused of abandoning his wife leads Magnus Snow to believe his brother didn't tell him everything that happened on his adventures. Confronted with the truth, Martin tells all about the lovely Cristabel. Being a true gentleman, Magnus searches out Cristabel and offers her a place to stay with Martin and his wife Sophia. Cristabel accepts Magnus' offer and discovers that life among English society is not what she expected. To Magnus, Cristabel is a wild, beautiful creature unlike any woman he has ever met. Despite their differences, he falls in love with her. Cristabel refuses to believe that the daughter of a pirate and an English lord could have a chance at happiness. In her mind, she is only half a lady, and the other half isn't good enough for Magnus no matter what he might say. But the true measure of a lady goes beyond what society expects and the free spirited Cristabel is a lady in every sense of the word. Charming! Edith Layton writes a marvelous tale! A True Lady is truly special! Fast paced and humorous, it carries you along on a whirlwind of emotion! Romantic! A wonderful 'opposites attract' love story! Ms. Layton delights her readers once again with characters that are larger than life! Fans of Edith Layton will be thrilled with her newest story! A most memorable tale!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671883011
• ISBN-13: 978-0671883010
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,749,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly wonderful . . ., May 5, 2001

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A True Lady (Paperback)

Cristabel is determined to be a *true lady* just like her English mother; but, unfortunately, there is an obstacle in her way. Her father is a pirate. It's little wonder, then, that at the age of twenty-one, the young woman left motherless at an early age, and having been taught lady-ness by a succession of governesses, not to mention piracy by a vast assortment of her father's henchmen, has decided never to marry thus never putting herself in any man's hands.

Her father, the infamous Captain Whiskey, facing impending retirement from the 'trade' and tired of being a bachelor, has plans to marry again, and everyone knows two women can't live under the same roof. He orders Cristabel to select the type of man she wants to marry, pirate or not, and he'll fetch him. Thinking to stymie the wily old buccaneer, she says she'll not marry any other than a fine, refined English lord.

Cristabel cannot then find any way out of marrying the young man her father promptly produces for her--Magnus Titus, Viscount Snow. Immediately following the piratical-type wedding ceremonies, the newlyweds are hustled on board one of her father's ships, bound for England, and in almost no time at all, the old man's carefully laid plans fall apart.

To begin with, the captive is *not* Magnus, but Martin, the younger brother of the viscount--and already married to his childhood sweetheart, Sophia. Declaring a vow of friendship, Cristabel and Martin share a cabin--platonically--during the crossing, and eventually, even to their arrival at Martin's home, where she meets the *real* lord.

Magnus is a hero to whom you will absolutely lose your heart--big, handsome, intelligent, honest, brave, trustworthy. Cristabel is not immune, but doesn't trust him--or herself. Surprises abound in the adventure-packed pages of this delightful book, peopled with pirates and lordships, bawds and ladies, who engage in attempted murder, society doings and other skullduggery. You will love Cristabel's journey from half-pirate to true lady!

Edith Layton made her name with a unique and pithy, pungent, even piquant way with words in many Regencies before turning her attentions to the longer, more complex form of historical romance. The story and characters in A TRUE LADY are vintage Layton, though, and you won't be one tiny little bit disappointed by this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, another winner from Edith Layton, January 5, 1998

By 

D. E. Hammond "D E Hammond" (Bergen County, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A True Lady (Paperback)

Cristabel has to be one of the most unique woman characters in the history of romance novels. The beginning of the story starts with a whollop and never lets you down or slows down. The atmosphere puts you right in mid 18th century England-and the love story, which starts from the beginning for the hero, is one of the best. This ranks up there with "The Duke's Wager" another "10" from Edith Layton. Also don't miss her next book, "The Wedding"!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Who is Clare Layton? Who is Edith Layton?, January 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A True Lady (Paperback)

Who is Clare Layton? I thought this author was Edith Layton! This is very confusing, because a book that I just finished reading, "Bound by Love" is by Edith Layton, per the cover. Even the cover of this book says Edith Layton but the book is being touted as written by Clare Layton!