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Midnight Masquerade #3
The Mistress at Midnight
Alex has been a wife in name only since her husband abandoned her four years before at the church. Exasperated by his continued absence, she decides to travel up to London and take matters into her own hands. Lord Seddon has quite the reputation, but as the mysterious and alluring Mrs. Hermitage, Alex is determined to extract her revenge, even if she must seduce her own husband to do obtain it...
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
13 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Kate Harper
116 books50 followersLike most writers I've always read and I've always got something going on in my head, story-wise. Mostly dialogue - at least, I hope that's dialogue and not something more serious - which inevitably makes demands on me.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 21, 2020
I bought this book as I like reading a good cheating-redemption book.
This one has an enticing premise - the chubby, plain h dumped by the handsome H soon after the ceremony of their moc.
Fast forward some 4 years and she's but of course, slim, pretty and stylish now. The husband is still MIA - but sends a letter regretting his behavior and that he'll be visiting soon to make amends. For some reason, this angers the hitherto calm and sensible h and she rides into London swearing vengeance - plan is to go incognito as a mysterious widow, tempt him and teach him a lesson. The POA is actually quite nebulous and ever changing on the exact procedure - seduce and dump him or dangle him etc.
The secondary couple/romance piques interest, the ow is good as the acquisitive and trouble making competition.
For all this, the book was actually quite tepid and slow moving. Lots of inner dialogue, little actual interaction and zero angst. You can easily skim swathes and not miss much. Bit more passion, angst and crispness would have helped.
The stars are all for the promise ... that was lost.
This one has an enticing premise - the chubby, plain h dumped by the handsome H soon after the ceremony of their moc.
Fast forward some 4 years and she's but of course, slim, pretty and stylish now. The husband is still MIA - but sends a letter regretting his behavior and that he'll be visiting soon to make amends. For some reason, this angers the hitherto calm and sensible h and she rides into London swearing vengeance - plan is to go incognito as a mysterious widow, tempt him and teach him a lesson. The POA is actually quite nebulous and ever changing on the exact procedure - seduce and dump him or dangle him etc.
The secondary couple/romance piques interest, the ow is good as the acquisitive and trouble making competition.
For all this, the book was actually quite tepid and slow moving. Lots of inner dialogue, little actual interaction and zero angst. You can easily skim swathes and not miss much. Bit more passion, angst and crispness would have helped.
The stars are all for the promise ... that was lost.
September 1, 2019
This is... not good. One star might be harsh, and I considered 2, but then I couldn't be bothered. Maybe 1.5? The problem is, there's nothing to this. It's an easy read, and it asks nothing of the reader, but it also just is poorly thought out.
Alex is abandoned by her husband literally the second the ceremony is over (seriously, dude doesn't even stick around for the breakfast). The behaviour is somewhat forgiveable given he's young, and he's basically been forced into marrying her the second she turns 18, because his father owed her father a debt. So he abandons her for four years in the country, to the extent that he can't even recognize her. He then sends her a letter saying he's sorry for the pain he's caused and he's coming to visit later in the summer. Know how I said the earlier behaviour is somewhat forgivable because he's young? Well, it gets no better, which is where I lose all patience.
Because Alex decides to teach him a lesson, as one does. She's no longer the shy, awkward 18 year old. She's going to come to London under an assumed name and seduce him! (How exactly this will "teach him a lesson" is never adequately explained. Do not ask these questions.)
I am super into reuniting spouses. This could have been fun. Except for all the problems. Notably:
1. Dude is a whiny jerk. He's decided it's time he gets an heir, and admits his treatment of his wife was pretty atrocious, so he's going to go to the country and spend some time with her. But he doesn't actually want to. Seriously, half this book is told from his perspective. And it's just him continuously being annoyed that he has to do this, and trying to put what will likely be an unpleasant trial to him out of his mind. In part because he doesn't want to feel guilty, but mostly because he wants to continue living a responsibility-free lifestyle as a man about town. Needless to say, his POV sections get real old, real fast.
2. This could have theoretically worked if the two of them had gotten to know each other while Alex is using the pseudonym, and before the big reveal. But instead of a case of them falling in love slowly as they get to know each other, now that they're more mature, and Alex re-thinking her scheme/realizing she's sort of trapped by it, this is basically a case of insta-lust. Seriously. That's all this is. There is no getting to know each other. There is nothing deeper. It's basically instant attraction. Which is not nearly enough to get me past the 4 year abandonment and subsequent sulky behaviour on the hero's part.
3. Dude basically is all for having another affair right before sacrificing some of his pleasures to go see his wife. The fact that it is his wife he's considering doing this with, and he has a last minute change of heart do not make this better.
4. He pursues her relentlessly. Even when she asks him to be less obvious because it's bad for her reputation. He does not seem to register the concern. It's irritating.
4.5 Also, there's a random mean-girl, for NO GOOD REASON.
5. There is a masquerade, but it is super pointless. It does not really help the story. It could have been any type of event.
6. The writing itself is... not the best.
Seriously, this is not great.
Alex is abandoned by her husband literally the second the ceremony is over (seriously, dude doesn't even stick around for the breakfast). The behaviour is somewhat forgiveable given he's young, and he's basically been forced into marrying her the second she turns 18, because his father owed her father a debt. So he abandons her for four years in the country, to the extent that he can't even recognize her. He then sends her a letter saying he's sorry for the pain he's caused and he's coming to visit later in the summer. Know how I said the earlier behaviour is somewhat forgivable because he's young? Well, it gets no better, which is where I lose all patience.
Because Alex decides to teach him a lesson, as one does. She's no longer the shy, awkward 18 year old. She's going to come to London under an assumed name and seduce him! (How exactly this will "teach him a lesson" is never adequately explained. Do not ask these questions.)
I am super into reuniting spouses. This could have been fun. Except for all the problems. Notably:
1. Dude is a whiny jerk. He's decided it's time he gets an heir, and admits his treatment of his wife was pretty atrocious, so he's going to go to the country and spend some time with her. But he doesn't actually want to. Seriously, half this book is told from his perspective. And it's just him continuously being annoyed that he has to do this, and trying to put what will likely be an unpleasant trial to him out of his mind. In part because he doesn't want to feel guilty, but mostly because he wants to continue living a responsibility-free lifestyle as a man about town. Needless to say, his POV sections get real old, real fast.
2. This could have theoretically worked if the two of them had gotten to know each other while Alex is using the pseudonym, and before the big reveal. But instead of a case of them falling in love slowly as they get to know each other, now that they're more mature, and Alex re-thinking her scheme/realizing she's sort of trapped by it, this is basically a case of insta-lust. Seriously. That's all this is. There is no getting to know each other. There is nothing deeper. It's basically instant attraction. Which is not nearly enough to get me past the 4 year abandonment and subsequent sulky behaviour on the hero's part.
3. Dude basically is all for having another affair right before sacrificing some of his pleasures to go see his wife. The fact that it is his wife he's considering doing this with, and he has a last minute change of heart do not make this better.
4. He pursues her relentlessly. Even when she asks him to be less obvious because it's bad for her reputation. He does not seem to register the concern. It's irritating.
4.5 Also, there's a random mean-girl, for NO GOOD REASON.
5. There is a masquerade, but it is super pointless. It does not really help the story. It could have been any type of event.
6. The writing itself is... not the best.
Seriously, this is not great.
November 4, 2018
I read Kate Harper's THIS WICKED MAN and enjoyed it in spite of all the format, spelling and grammar errors in it. So I decided to try out this one. Unfortunately, nothing in it appealed to me and, in addition, I'm no longer giving her a pass about the grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation, which is particularly egregious here. Well, some of the mistakes are rather humorous, albeit annoying. For example, our heroine's assumed persona supposedly lived in a "piazza" in Italy. I'm assuming the author meant "palazzo" because who lives in the town or city square? Harper couldn't even be bothered to research the foreign word she uses.
In the story, the hero is compelled to marry the heroine because of some problem between the two families and he, resentful about this, deserts her immediately after the ceremony. So the heroine, young, plump, spotty, badly dressed, and cursed with the most horrendous mother imaginable, moves to her husband's estate. In the space of 4 years, without a word from the husband, she proceeds to improve the running of the household and also turn herself into a thin, fashionable beauty. (How she is able to get her hands on his funds is never explained.)
Learning her wayward husband is in London, she goes there under an assumed name, hoping to avenge herself for his neglect and tomcat ways. (He would not be able to recognize her because he didn't even look at her when she was younger and dumpier and spotty.)
Well, it turns out I could not stomach the hero. He's a womanizing sleazebag with the conscience of a slug. Yes, some readers may say he redeems himself at the end. I say the only way this jerk could redeem himself is to become a "castrato". How the heroine decides to love him is beyond me.
In the story, the hero is compelled to marry the heroine because of some problem between the two families and he, resentful about this, deserts her immediately after the ceremony. So the heroine, young, plump, spotty, badly dressed, and cursed with the most horrendous mother imaginable, moves to her husband's estate. In the space of 4 years, without a word from the husband, she proceeds to improve the running of the household and also turn herself into a thin, fashionable beauty. (How she is able to get her hands on his funds is never explained.)
Learning her wayward husband is in London, she goes there under an assumed name, hoping to avenge herself for his neglect and tomcat ways. (He would not be able to recognize her because he didn't even look at her when she was younger and dumpier and spotty.)
Well, it turns out I could not stomach the hero. He's a womanizing sleazebag with the conscience of a slug. Yes, some readers may say he redeems himself at the end. I say the only way this jerk could redeem himself is to become a "castrato". How the heroine decides to love him is beyond me.
September 26, 2012
The Mistress At Midnight follows Alexandra, an insecure young woman on the verge of being old enough for her debut season. Alexandra is being married off to an old family friend before she gets the chance to experience her first season, and her husband to be doesn’t appear to want to be marrying her at all. The wedding goes ahead, but her new husband doesn’t look at her once and leaves her alone straight after the ceremony – something which haunts her from that day forward. Four years later and she has become mistress of her husband’s country estate but hasn’t seen him since their wedding day. She receives a letter from him saying that he will be returning home to make amends, but this only serves to fuel her anger towards him. She decides to go to London as Mrs Alexia Hermitage, a young widow in search of some fun, and seduce her husband as a stranger (as she is sure that he won’t recognise her). Her old friend Sally plays the part of her sponsor in society and it’s not long before she bumps into her husband and her plan takes off. Within a few days he is hanging off her every word and vying for more and more of her attention, all the while knowing that he is supposed to be preparing to go back home to his wife. Alex gets deeper and deeper in, until she doubts whether or not she can go through the public humiliation she had planned for her husband. Can she hurt him that way? What will happen when he discovers who she really is?
I enjoyed this story because it’s rare to read a regency romance novel that is quite as unique as this. It’s not often you come across a story where the female lead is trying to fool her male counterpart in such a bold way, and it’s also rare for the protagonists to start the story married. It was a refreshing plot that held my interest throughout, there were many points in the story where I found myself willing the end to come quicker so I could see the conclusion to the story.
Alex’s character was fascinating, she seemed to have close to a split personality. She was introduced as a meek, vulnerable girl who had suffered years of misery as a result of her parents’ treatment of her as she was growing up. She had never been praised for anything and was repeatedly told she wasn’t good enough for anything. Over her time as the lonely Lady Seddon, she manages to develop some confidence and a sense of style that sets her apart from most women in society, but she is hidden away from the world and still painfully unsure of herself. As Mrs Alexia Hermitage, we get to see Alex play the part of a confident, outgoing seductress – something that it’s obvious was in her all along, but she has to pretend to be someone else in order to have the courage to let that side of her out. She is a very forgiving woman, considering all that she has been through, and it’s great to see someone be so kind and so alluring at the same time.
The one thing that held this book back from becoming one of my favourites, was the character of Lord Seddon. The reader was given some insight into his character at the beginning of the book, when he tried to do the right thing by delaying their wedding so that he could get to know his bride better, and again at the end of the book, when he gave up Mrs Hermitage in order to do the right and responsible thing. However, he spent most of the novel being portrayed as an unfaithful husband who had tried his hardest to ignore his concerns for his lonely wife for the first four year of their marriage. I found it hard to shake this image of him towards the end of the novel when he and Alex reached their inevitable happy ending, especially given that he had engaged in an affair (though he wasn’t doing anything wrong) just days after resolving to do the right thing by his wife – the whole premise of the story was that he was not to be trusted. I felt that after all her suffering, Alex was more deserving of someone who hadn’t messed her around so much in the beginning and treated her so poorly in his absence. Their love story was seductive and endearing at times, but it was always in the back of my mind and I can’t help but wonder if the story would have been slightly improved if he hadn’t been so badly behaved in the interim years.
I enjoyed this story because it’s rare to read a regency romance novel that is quite as unique as this. It’s not often you come across a story where the female lead is trying to fool her male counterpart in such a bold way, and it’s also rare for the protagonists to start the story married. It was a refreshing plot that held my interest throughout, there were many points in the story where I found myself willing the end to come quicker so I could see the conclusion to the story.
Alex’s character was fascinating, she seemed to have close to a split personality. She was introduced as a meek, vulnerable girl who had suffered years of misery as a result of her parents’ treatment of her as she was growing up. She had never been praised for anything and was repeatedly told she wasn’t good enough for anything. Over her time as the lonely Lady Seddon, she manages to develop some confidence and a sense of style that sets her apart from most women in society, but she is hidden away from the world and still painfully unsure of herself. As Mrs Alexia Hermitage, we get to see Alex play the part of a confident, outgoing seductress – something that it’s obvious was in her all along, but she has to pretend to be someone else in order to have the courage to let that side of her out. She is a very forgiving woman, considering all that she has been through, and it’s great to see someone be so kind and so alluring at the same time.
The one thing that held this book back from becoming one of my favourites, was the character of Lord Seddon. The reader was given some insight into his character at the beginning of the book, when he tried to do the right thing by delaying their wedding so that he could get to know his bride better, and again at the end of the book, when he gave up Mrs Hermitage in order to do the right and responsible thing. However, he spent most of the novel being portrayed as an unfaithful husband who had tried his hardest to ignore his concerns for his lonely wife for the first four year of their marriage. I found it hard to shake this image of him towards the end of the novel when he and Alex reached their inevitable happy ending, especially given that he had engaged in an affair (though he wasn’t doing anything wrong) just days after resolving to do the right thing by his wife – the whole premise of the story was that he was not to be trusted. I felt that after all her suffering, Alex was more deserving of someone who hadn’t messed her around so much in the beginning and treated her so poorly in his absence. Their love story was seductive and endearing at times, but it was always in the back of my mind and I can’t help but wonder if the story would have been slightly improved if he hadn’t been so badly behaved in the interim years.
reluctant-dnf
June 19, 2022More random book on my Kindle which I never marked …
June 19, 2022:
I flipped through it and it didn’t really grab me. However I didn’t really read enough of it to make a judgment. I think I read about 3 chapters and then had to flip the rest 🤷♀️
Not giving it a rating. I am sure it’s fine …
June 19, 2022:
I flipped through it and it didn’t really grab me. However I didn’t really read enough of it to make a judgment. I think I read about 3 chapters and then had to flip the rest 🤷♀️
Not giving it a rating. I am sure it’s fine …
March 17, 2025
Reforming husband?
Left at the church after the wedding ceremony by her husband, then packed off to his country estate by her parents because she was no longer their responsibility is the story. I admire Alexandra and how she took hold of her situation in a time when she was only property not a person. Four years later she takes the initiative to confront her husband when he decides to come home to
start married life. Never warmed to Deacon, he was a selfish egotist.
Left at the church after the wedding ceremony by her husband, then packed off to his country estate by her parents because she was no longer their responsibility is the story. I admire Alexandra and how she took hold of her situation in a time when she was only property not a person. Four years later she takes the initiative to confront her husband when he decides to come home to
start married life. Never warmed to Deacon, he was a selfish egotist.
August 28, 2017
Mistress
I enjoyed reading this series. This is another good book by Kate Harper. Alex is married off to a man she doesn't really know. He doesn't want to marry her, so after the wedding he led as her. Four years later Alex gets a letter stating that her husband is returning to his wife. She decides to have some revenge.
I enjoyed reading this series. This is another good book by Kate Harper. Alex is married off to a man she doesn't really know. He doesn't want to marry her, so after the wedding he led as her. Four years later Alex gets a letter stating that her husband is returning to his wife. She decides to have some revenge.
March 19, 2019
Very satisfying romance!
Loved this book! The characters were relatable and complex, and the story was just perfect. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, uplifting romance. The only thing I’ll mention is that there are quite a few typos. It didn’t take away from the book’s charm, but I would have preferred there be less. I roughly counted about 20 typos.
Loved this book! The characters were relatable and complex, and the story was just perfect. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, uplifting romance. The only thing I’ll mention is that there are quite a few typos. It didn’t take away from the book’s charm, but I would have preferred there be less. I roughly counted about 20 typos.
March 23, 2019
Good read
The plot was great and the characters really nice however the dialogue was full of too much ‘self reflection’. I skimmed threw a lot of it and read the need to know info. It was a nice read.
The plot was great and the characters really nice however the dialogue was full of too much ‘self reflection’. I skimmed threw a lot of it and read the need to know info. It was a nice read.
November 16, 2017
Heartbreaking & Romantic
A Cinderella tale. An ugly duckling blooms. Beautiful gowns abound. The husband turns honorable. What more could a girl wish for?!
A Cinderella tale. An ugly duckling blooms. Beautiful gowns abound. The husband turns honorable. What more could a girl wish for?!
April 11, 2019
Review
There is so much bad grammar & there are so many incorrect words that alter the meaning of the sentences I have to wonder does anyone proof read these stories or edit them?
There is so much bad grammar & there are so many incorrect words that alter the meaning of the sentences I have to wonder does anyone proof read these stories or edit them?
April 17, 2020
Nice
Although this was a romantic story the plot was very good but unrealistic, 2 stars removed due the excessive errors and spelling mistakes.
Although this was a romantic story the plot was very good but unrealistic, 2 stars removed due the excessive errors and spelling mistakes.
November 25, 2013
Light, fun, entertaining read. I loved how the main character, a dowdy girl married off to a stranger, grew up and spent 4 years without her new husband and decided to go into town and "teach him a lesson". She was going to show him up and prove that he was missing out by having abandoning her right after they said "I do". And what happens when we set off to do Karma's job? Yes, that is exactly what happened! The secondary characters were all interesting too and contributed to the story instead of distracting from it. Well worth picking this book up!
August 7, 2016
I loved how Alex found herself and broke free of her parents expectations. A fun romp of a woman taking her destiny into her own hands.
Again this story suffered from poor editing. Some less than believable story twists also added to it. 2.5 stars -- the rating would have been much higher if not for the poor grammar.
Again this story suffered from poor editing. Some less than believable story twists also added to it. 2.5 stars -- the rating would have been much higher if not for the poor grammar.
November 8, 2016
Different!
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel, but the typos were a little disconcerting. I felt as though I was a proof reader and it did impinge on the flow of the story a little. That aside, very enjoyable and would read more from this author when hopefully said proof reader is employed!
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel, but the typos were a little disconcerting. I felt as though I was a proof reader and it did impinge on the flow of the story a little. That aside, very enjoyable and would read more from this author when hopefully said proof reader is employed!
April 22, 2013
I thought this was a fun story. A forced marriage, a husband that has barely even looked at you even at the wedding, left at the church door, not a glimpse of her husband for four years and a desire to make you stranger of a husband pay for the years of neglect.
March 24, 2015
Errors detract from enjoyment
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors abound, as in two previous books. What ever happened to editing? DK if I can wend my way through another one of her books....
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors abound, as in two previous books. What ever happened to editing? DK if I can wend my way through another one of her books....
June 7, 2015
Love
Love great book, can't wait to see what she comes up with next, love her work. . . . .
Love great book, can't wait to see what she comes up with next, love her work. . . . .
December 10, 2015
Interest to read great storyline throughout the story wish their could be more to story to the characters
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews