Vanity [Mass Market Paperback]

Jane Feather (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995

Picking pockets as her only means of survival, Octavia Morgan realizes that she has made a terrible mistake when she targets Lord Nick, the most notorious highwayman in England, who vows to ensnare Octavia's passions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One day the three Wyndham boys are playing and Philip trips Gervase, sending him to his death. Cullum, the elder twin to Philip, is now heir to the Earl of Wyndham. Philip is evil, but he is the apple of his parents eye. Philip boasts that he will tell everyone that Cullum accidentally killed Gervase, knowing he will be believed. Cullum can not bear it and he stages his disappearance at the age of twelve. Octavia Morgan, dressed as a lady of good birth is forced to the streets as a pickpocket so she can support herself and her ailing father. Unfortunately she picks the pocket of the notorious highwayman, Lord Nick. He has no doubts what this beautiful woman has done, and an idea forms in his head. But he needs her cooperation. He brings her to an inn that caters only to a chosen few and in order to assure her cooperation, he drugs her, then makes love to her. Lord Nick takes her home and tells her that he has a plan that will benefit them both. It requires that they pretend to be married. She agrees and he instructs Octavia as to what she must do - find and steal the ring that Philip Wyndham always carries on his person, even if she has to seduce him. In return, he will ruin the men who took advantage of her father and return her home and fortune. They are now known as Lord Rupert and Lady Warick. Their scheme is working and as it becomes clear that Philip intends to bed her, Octavia has qualms. Rupert shows no emotion and remains steadfast on this course, though he can't stand the thought of his twin touching her. Philip and Octavia have a romantic interlude, but when he is about to enjoy her charms, they are interupted and the moment is gone. She returns home and happily tells Rupert all about it, but he becomes angry with her. He explains that he had changed the plan and seduction won't be necessary. And during this discourse, he tells her that he drugged her that first night. Octavia is livid and rejects him. He is remorsful, but the damage is done. He releases her from her part of the deal, but she agrees to follow through with his new plan. Suddenly things begin to go wrong and then it all falls apart when Lord Nick is set up and captured. Octavia realizes and accepts her love for her 'Lord and highwayman'. She is determined to secure the ring for him and to obtain his release from Newgate. With a little help from their friends, she succeeds in both endeavors. Everything is up to Rupert now and it is all within his grasp, but their future depends on his revenge.Well written! Vanity is a fabulous story with an elaborate, precise plot that takes the reader on a romantic journey through the ups and downs of love and revenge! Jane Feather can now add Vanity to her cap! It is a swift moving story of romance and revenge that satisfies the reader on all levels! Ms. Feather certainly knows how to capture and hold her readers attention! A lot of romance here, a bit of revenge there, some regret and remorse, deceit and danger and voila! Vanity! A very imaginative author, and prolific too as Vanity is the sixth in a series of 'V' books by Jane Feather. A glimpse of her next book, Vice, assures me that Ms. Feather will continue to be a very vivid and vigorous author!Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553572482
• ISBN-13: 978-0553572483
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, not great, September 28, 2000

By 

J. Wu (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanity (Mass Market Paperback)

Vanity is a solid read about an adventurous girl, who at a young age shoulders the burden of taking care of herself and her incompetent but scholarly father, and the revenge-plotting, true Earl of Wyndham whose title was wrongfully taken by his evil twin brother. When Octavia fatefully picks the pocket of notorious highwayman Lord Nick/Rupert/Cullum, she is literally dragged into his world of revenge and identity issues. Nick/Rupert/Cullum drugs her one night to "initiate" her into his "dark" world and to tie her to him by basically turning her into a nymphomaniac. To support herself and father, she agrees to help Nick/Rupert/Cullum by seducing the current Earl of Wyndham, unbeknownst to her - his evil twin brother. Of course, they fall in love despite themselves.

The characters don't exactly lack chemistry but neither do they fully have any. The problem lies in that Feather fails to establish any true empathy for the characters. Also, the subplots: Rupert's scheme to get Octavia's revenge for her, Letitia's observance of Octavia's trysts with her husband, Frank the chimney boy's appearances and disappearances, and Octavia's father's pretended ignorance do not really serve their purposes within the story. The last three, in particular, have no real place within the plot.

All in all, it is a pretty fast read if you want to bother with it; although, I would recommend other books before this one.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nasty., February 6, 2004

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanity (Mass Market Paperback)

A dark and sinister book filled with a threatening evil -- an evil kept below the surface. Jane Feather fills the novel with intrigue and devious schemes.

The setting is the late Georgian era. A time when frenzied male hedonism rules -- live big, play big. A time ravaged with over indulgence, whether it is food, drink, gambling or a brazen sexual encounter with another man's wife. I am always uncomfortable with adulterous themes, and I'm grateful few authors travel this path. Nevertheless, I suppose, in this story, it is a necessary ingredient -- an ingredient that bonds the contract our two characters have agreed to fulfill.

Jane Feather covers the era's historical view with careful planning. The author describes the prevailing fashions, the political views, and the distinct class divisions with superb detail.

Yet, I felt a problem with the book's outline. The author insinuates a strong sexual desire between our lovers, but the reader senses it is only a clever facade. We never explore true sexual tension. The sultry cravings and lustful desires are missing. The initial seduction scene is very uncomfortable -- it is murky and bizarre -- the hero drugs the heroine and then introduces her into an eerie sexual world. Disappointingly, the reader will not find flirtatious frolic among these pages.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanity was spell binding.Each page brings new excitement., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vanity (Mass Market Paperback)

Vanity was one of Feather's best.Octavia is a loveable person that you can easily identify with. She is all passion-motivated by love and willing to do what ever she is asked by her master lover Rupert-Lord Nick or Cullum.His main goal in life is to get even with his evil brother Philip no matter what the cost even the Love of his life. The love that grows between Octavia nad Cullum is unavoidable. What will it cost them? Read this powerful romance to find out. Loved it!