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Lady Dearborn's Debut
Clea Bradford is a striking creature with her sun-kissed hair and incredibly long legs, but definitely not in vogue. Her Aunt, Lady Floss Dearborn is determined to ensure that the girl¿s entrance to the ton is greeted with respect. She achieves her purpose, but it is by announcing Clea¿s fake engagement to an aristocrat who is better suited for her. But lurking behind every corner is Lord Ranulf, a man driven by vengeance. He mistakenly assumes the bohemian is her aunt and plans to exact his revenge for an unsubstantiated rumor of a wrong committed against his relative, Floss¿s deceased husband. Everywhere Clea turns, Ranulf is right behind her. But his searing hatred is beginning to melt beneath Clea¿s piercing gaze. Now, rather than burning with revenge, his heart is scorching with passion.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 1986
18 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Chater
94 books24 followersElizabeth Chater (1910-2004) was the author of more than twenty-four novels and countless short stories. She received a B.A. from the University of British Columbia and an M.A. from San Diego State University and joined the faculty of the latter in 1963 where she began a lifelong friendship with science fiction author Greg Bear. She was honored with The Distinguished Teacher award in 1969 and was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year in 1977. After receiving her Professor Emeritus, she embarked on a new career as a novelist with Richard Curtis as her agent. In the 1950s and 60s she published short stories in Fantastic Universe Magazine and The Saint Mystery Magazine, and she won the Publisher’s Weekly short story contest in 1975. At the age of sixty-eight, she began writing in the romance genre and published twenty-two novels over an eight-year period. She also wrote under the pen names Lee Chater, Lee Chaytor, and Lisa Moore. For more information, please visit: https://elizabethchaterbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 18, 2014
Low marks for Elizabeth Chater be damned! This was one of the funniest good-hearted regency romances I have ever read. Maybe some of the author's other offerings are not quite up to snuff but there is nothing wrong with this one.
February 20, 2023
Had the bones of a great story but is an average read at best. Ms. Chater has written far superior books and if anyone plans to read her for the first time I strongly suggest you don't make this your first.
And what happened to the set up about Lady Dearborn's marriage to Lord George - what helped her survive his mishandling and boorishness without losing her verve? The throwaway lines about not producing an heir in 7 years while mentioning his several by blows? Seems like a missed opportunity. Haven't checked, but might this be one of Ms. Chater's early writings?
And what happened to the set up about Lady Dearborn's marriage to Lord George - what helped her survive his mishandling and boorishness without losing her verve? The throwaway lines about not producing an heir in 7 years while mentioning his several by blows? Seems like a missed opportunity. Haven't checked, but might this be one of Ms. Chater's early writings?
November 29, 2021
Interesting twists and turns in a fun read.
August 22, 2024
It's a fun romp but I didn't like one of the heroes.
November 25, 2015
Lady Dearborn's Debut by Elizabeth Chater is a clean Regency romance. It's the third book in the Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #2. There are two heroes and heroines. It puts me in mind somewhat of Mary Jo Putney's Carousel of Hearts or Georgette Heyer's Bath Tangle.
Lady Florence Dearborn, known as Lady Floss, was widowed a year ago. She was unhappily married for seven years to elderly Sir George Dearborn for his wealth and status at the urging of her parents. She is now 26, and so was very young when she married Sir George. Four years ago, she and her husband took in his orphaned niece, Miss Cleanthe Bradford. Floss is a very charming lady, very small in stature with curly blonde hair. Eighteen-year-old "Clea" is 6 feet tall with white-blonde hair, both of which are very unfashionable, and does not have much self-confidence. Floss is bringing Clea to London for the season.
Lord Ranulf Vanir Malyon, a Viking descendant, is the heir to Sir George's estate. He has given Floss what he perceives to be an overly large sum of money to purchase the Dower House from her in order to get her off the estate. Malyon has never met the widow, nor has he visited the estate. At the word of someone else, he believes that Floss was a terrible wife, grasping at money, and refusing to produce an heir for Sir George. He resents her and is bored, and so sets out on a campaign to make life difficult for her. (This part of the plot, as well as the character of Malyon, is why I rated this book a four rather than a five.)
Michael Glendon, the Earl of Glendon, 30, is admonished by his meddling mother to have nothing to do with Lady Dearborn, who is coming to London for the season. She insists that Floss will "try to capitalize on the fact that your [Lord Glendon's] papa knew her [Lady Dearborn's] husband." Lord Glendon is polite, however, and introduces himself to Lady Floss regardless of his mother's advice.
What I liked:
*Three of the characters (Floss, Clea, and Michael) are very likable.
*I liked the tangled web of relationships. The reader knows who will end up with whom, but it's fun regardless.
What I didn't like:
*Ranulf was caricatured. Over the top. I think he could have been created better. One reviewer called this book a farce. Perhaps that is the way I should look a it...
If you like clean, traditional Regency, give this one a try! I will be continuing to read Elizabeth Chater's books.
Lady Florence Dearborn, known as Lady Floss, was widowed a year ago. She was unhappily married for seven years to elderly Sir George Dearborn for his wealth and status at the urging of her parents. She is now 26, and so was very young when she married Sir George. Four years ago, she and her husband took in his orphaned niece, Miss Cleanthe Bradford. Floss is a very charming lady, very small in stature with curly blonde hair. Eighteen-year-old "Clea" is 6 feet tall with white-blonde hair, both of which are very unfashionable, and does not have much self-confidence. Floss is bringing Clea to London for the season.
Lord Ranulf Vanir Malyon, a Viking descendant, is the heir to Sir George's estate. He has given Floss what he perceives to be an overly large sum of money to purchase the Dower House from her in order to get her off the estate. Malyon has never met the widow, nor has he visited the estate. At the word of someone else, he believes that Floss was a terrible wife, grasping at money, and refusing to produce an heir for Sir George. He resents her and is bored, and so sets out on a campaign to make life difficult for her. (This part of the plot, as well as the character of Malyon, is why I rated this book a four rather than a five.)
Michael Glendon, the Earl of Glendon, 30, is admonished by his meddling mother to have nothing to do with Lady Dearborn, who is coming to London for the season. She insists that Floss will "try to capitalize on the fact that your [Lord Glendon's] papa knew her [Lady Dearborn's] husband." Lord Glendon is polite, however, and introduces himself to Lady Floss regardless of his mother's advice.
What I liked:
*Three of the characters (Floss, Clea, and Michael) are very likable.
*I liked the tangled web of relationships. The reader knows who will end up with whom, but it's fun regardless.
What I didn't like:
*Ranulf was caricatured. Over the top. I think he could have been created better. One reviewer called this book a farce. Perhaps that is the way I should look a it...
If you like clean, traditional Regency, give this one a try! I will be continuing to read Elizabeth Chater's books.
May 26, 2014
Rating: 2.5 stars
"You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are." - The Mad Hatter
More a period story than a true romance (not quite enough dialogue or growth between hero(es) and heroine(s) for that) and I'm half convinced that all the characters are insane (but in a good way...)
This was an amusing, harmless, quick read. Not something that I'll reread though.
"You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are." - The Mad Hatter
More a period story than a true romance (not quite enough dialogue or growth between hero(es) and heroine(s) for that) and I'm half convinced that all the characters are insane (but in a good way...)
This was an amusing, harmless, quick read. Not something that I'll reread though.
September 25, 2009
Regency
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews