Lord of Dishonor

by Edith Layton

Beautiful and virtuous Amanda Amberly, daughter of the Countess of Clovely, whose amorous escapades are notorious, finds romance with Viscount North, the most infamous and irresistable rake in Regency England

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Traditional Regency

223 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 6, 1984

About the author

Edith Layton wrote her first novel when she was ten. She bought a marbleized notebook and set out to write a story that would fit between its covers. Now, an award-winning author with more than thirty novels and numerous novellas to her credit, her criteria have changed. The story has to fit the reader as well as between the covers.

Graduating from Hunter College in New York City with a degree in creative writing and theater, Edith worked for various media, including a radio station and a major motion picture company. She married and went to suburbia, where she was fruitful and multiplied to the tune of three children. Her eldest, Michael, is a social worker and artist in NYC. Adam is a writer and performer on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Daughter Susie is a professional writer, comedian and performer who works in television.

Publishers Weekly called Edith Layton "one of romance's most gifted writers." Layton has enthralled readers and critics with books that capture the spirit of historically distant places and peoples. "What I've found," she says, "is that life was very different in every era, but that love and love of life is always the same."

Layton won an RT Book Reviews Career Achievement award for the Historical genre in 2003 and a Reviewers' Choice award for her book The Conquest in 2001. Amazon.com's top reviewer called Layton's Alas, My Love (April 2005, Avon Books), "a wonderful historical." And her recent release, Bride Enchanted, is a Romantic Times 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee.

Edith Layton lived on Long Island where she devoted time as a volunteer for the North Shore Animal League , the world's largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption organization. Her dog Daisy --adopted herself from a shelter-- is just one member of Layton's household menagerie.

Edith Layton passed away on June 1, 2009 from ovarian cancer.

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise for me as I actually enjoyed not only the story but also the writing. Despite the initial seeming shallowness of the tropey plot and characters (which made me drop this book for months) - especially the H and the h’s mother, this book shows surprising depth and character.

The H gets trapped in the time-honored way by the h’s mother on the unwitting h’s behalf. And no, he doesn’t react in the usual mad, seething way but calmly rejects the suit. But the h’s plight makes him relent and he offer her a pretend engagement to protect her honor till such a time that she can honorably cry off – and also bring a reluctant suitor of her choice to his knee.

The story really picked for me when they reach his home and his back-story and angst is revealed. This H is perpetually and annoyingly amused and that really irritated me initially till his inner complexity is revealed and I couldn’t help but love this tortured but sweet gentleman - because he's just that - a gentleman.
The h’s family background also is no less disturbing or unhappy. Part of the ‘Amberley Assortment’ – a gaggle of mixed illegitimate siblings thanks to her philandering cheating mother, she, along with her family, has always been a target of jokes and spite from the society. Her marital chances are zero and her hopeless pining for a neighbor added to the angst. The om provides a sober contrast to the H but is revealed to be a shallow poser. The h/H relationship develops very slowly but believably.

A special mention has to be made of the beautiful, clever writing of the author that charms and delights. So glad I picked it back and finished it.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had some interesting elements.

Lady Amanda Amberley is 23 years old and the only legitimate daughter of the notorious Countess of Amberley, whose collection of illegitimate children (the 'Amberley Assortment') by various lovers has made them the talk of the ton. This isn't the rarest premise I've seen in historical romance novels - Gaelen Foley for instance has a similar theme in her Knight Miscellany series, and the original inspiration for this is Regency noblewoman Jane Harley, Countess of Oxford & Countess Mortimer, whose eight children were known in real life as the Harleian Miscellany due to her affairs. (It's a cleverer pun in real life, as The Harleian Miscellany is the name of manuscript published by her husband's ancestor, another Earl of Oxford).

Anyway, Amanda is currently visiting her notorious mother and mother's longtime lover, a married duke, at a house party. Into her bedroom steps Lord North. Debauched, dissipated, and with the looks of an angel, he's been led to the wrong bedroom by her matchmaking mama - who stumbles on them and ensures her daughter is thoroughly compromised, theoretically forcing them to wed. But nobody can make North do what he doesn't want to do, and a horrified Amanda is in love with another man anyway. What should they do but pretend to be engaged, each for their own reasons...

What I actually liked about this one is that it's a short, fast-paced read that resists some of the usual cliches you might expect. For example, Amanda's mother is not vilified as a slut, as the mother in Foley's series is; she's presented as manipulative, yes, and obviously unfaithful to her marriage, but Amanda's father has his own reasons for turning a blind eye. And above all, she's evidently a loving mother - though in her own selfish way - and her arrangement with the duke is frankly one of long-term domesticity. Their scenes kind of steal the book, and the final chapter is excellent.

North also isn't what I expected. In Heyer-esque style, he's flippant, drawling, and exquisitely elegant, but he never treats Amanda poorly even when he suspects her to have been a willing participant in her mother's schemes. He's by far the character with the best developmental payoff.

Two stars knocked off (1) because Layton made consistent technical errors, e.g. calling him 'Lord Christian Jarrow' (he's not the younger son of a duke or marquess so 'lord' should never be before his first name, his TITLE is Lord North); and (2) the romance was kind of overshadowed by the the mystery of North's birth. Also, adoptive children could not be named as inheritors of the title, but I assume Layton surely knew that and ignored it to craft a story.

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second Edith Layton, and man does she write some marvelously complex MMCs. This is a brilliant setup, too: Amanda Amberley is a member of the infamous “Amberley Assortment”— a family of libertines whose children come from various parental combinations. Amanda herself is an upright young woman who despairs of her family’s reputation, particularly as it relates to her ability to make a good match and find happiness. Lord North runs with her mother’s hedonistic crowd and is rather infamous himself… and the two find themselves engaged after Amanda’s mother plays a rather devious trick on them. But there’s more to Lord North than meets the eye, and Amanda finds herself intrigued.

Layton’s writing is layered and witty and she does a great job of illuminating the snobbery of Britain’s upper class. I really loved this book: its characters, its plot and its writing. I wish I could share some of my highlights, but I read this on—GASP—paper.

[HR-ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this regency in DTB format. Skipped ahead in places.
Gave this 2 of 5 stars.

Amanda had a Mom with lovers (her latest one of 10 year's
duration) & Dad the earl over-imbibed. Christian, a viscount,
was known as a libertine. I found the hero too cocky and
presumptuous. People assumed Amanda had casual liaisons
like her mom ( before Mom found her steady love).

Mom caught the MCs in a compromising position of her
design,& a faux betrothal followed. Manda needed the hero's
help in writing neighbor Giles, who she fancied but Giles
viewed her as a sister? IMO this story needed someone other
than suave Chris for Manda. Chris bored me, even after he
revealed his hidden vulnerability. Sort of a Ken doll, before
Ken was invented in the 1960s.

[Mary - Buried Under Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the two characters - very understanding of each other's pain, and have a great camaraderie aside from the sexual tension. Quite a sweet story.

[Nabilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Edith Layton book and definitely won't be my last. The writing is almost flawless, very apt to the period. 

I expected this to be a light-hearted read. This was actually quite an uncomfortable read. This book dealt with illegitimacy and the author did not sugar-coat things. A lot of hard truths here. 

The hero, North was adopted but managed to become the heir to the viscountcy (I'm not sure if this was possible back then but for the sake of the narrative, I'd give it a go). He was very good looking and a rake. He always felt like an impostor so he was always travelling and rarely went back to his manor. He had a younger brother from his adoptive parents who were born more than a decade later. The younger brother was supposed to be the heir but the father insisted on North becoming the heir (the revelation was done right in the end and I feel the reason for this plot was solid).

The heroine, Amanda was part of the infamous siblings known as the 'Amberley assortment'. She was legitimate on paper because the mother's husband acknowledged her. In actuality, she was the by-product of her mother's affair. She had 6 siblings in total. The 1st two were legitimate and the rest had 3 separate fathers. They didn't quite look the same so it was an open secret. She had a season in London but no offers. Everyone thought she was cut from the same cloth as her mother and that she was easy. So, she went back to the country and buried herself there. 

The story goes that North came back from one of his journeys and stopped by Amanda's mother's house for a night's rest. Her mother, the Countess has been in a relationship with the same Duke (who is also married) for the past decade. The Countess had a house party going on and Amand also happened to be in the same residence in order to receive her birthday gift. The Countess saw an opportunity and engineered it so that Amanda was caught in bed with North (with witnesses, of course). So, they decided to have a fake betrothal. North was bored and Amanda had an eye for someone in the country so she thought that the fake betrothal would spur the gentleman to make an offer for her despite her infamous name. So, they journeyed back to North's home and this was where they slowly fell in love.

It seemed that everyone in this story was in love with everyone else's except their respective spouse. What caught my eye would be the Countess, Amanda's mother's story. On the surface, she seemed terribly irresponsible for sleeping around and having children, not by her husband. The thing is, she only had 3 other lovers besides her husband. After she gave birth to the first 2 children, the husband basically told her he was happy with the children she has given him and he wouldn't want to share her bed anymore. He basically gave her free reign to do whatever she wants. She was young and angry so she had an affair with a marquess who when was told about her pregnancy, didn't want to do anything with her. The next lover was a married man who had an ill wife. She had 2 children with him. After the wife died, she even contemplated divorce so that they could get married. Unfortunately, he died shortly after. Her current lover is the Duke whom she had a child with. The Duke and his wife had an understanding so they lead separate lives. I was initially furious at the Countess on Amanda's behalf. I started to think differently after knowing her story. I still think the countess is irresponsible but the actions were understandable at a time when contraceptive was unreliable and divorce was near impossible. However, actions have consequences and unfortunately, her illegitimacy brought on a lot of emotional damage to Amanda. It spurred her to crave total respectability. North was also emotionally damaged by his illegitimacy but he went the complete opposite of Amanda and cultivate his reputation as a rake.

The sentence 'blood will tell' was sprinkled repeatedly throughout the book. I am of the opinion that nurture is more important than nature. Yes, there are things about your birth you can't change but I firmly believe how you were raised have a bigger impact on your life. 

I'm not sure I'm doing this book justice. The story is multi-layered and the author did the revelation one at a time. What I get from the story is:
1) Do not cast stones. You have no idea about the other person's situation
2) Your parents are fallible (they're humans after all)
3) Actions have consequences be they good or bad
4) Family gives you a sense of belonging and in the MCs case, they were adrift due to the circumstances of their birth.

I loved the fact that the author put in at the end, North and Amanda's vow to be constant with each other as they saw the result of their parents' inconstancy. They do not want to burden their children with what they had to go through. 

A deep and compelling book with beautiful writing. I think everyone's take is different so if you want something a bit more with your romance novel, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book.

[Ridley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Amanda Amberley is one of the "Amberley Assortment," the ton's clever term for her and her siblings due to her countess mother's reputation for taking lovers. Though she's one of the two legitimate Amberleys, she's nonetheless tarred by the same brush, leaving her still unmarried, as beaus are reluctant to offer for her then find she shares her mother's inclinations. Despite her best efforts to lead a spotless life to win over the timid Sir Giles Boothe, her mother's unscrupulous machinations at a house party leave her compromised and tied to an extremely unwilling groom, the debauched Viscount North.

Though neither wishes to marry, for their own reasons, they agree to an engagement to salvage Amanda's honor, with the expectation of Amanda jilting him and going back to Sir Giles. They head to North's estate to stay with his mother and brother while putting a plan in motion to get Sir Giles to rush to save Amanda and finally marry her.

It's like a marriage of convenience without the actual marriage. They stay at his estate together and get to know each other as they act the besotted couple. As they do so, they begin to genuinely care for each other, though attraction has been there between them from the start. They rather neatly mirror each other. Amanda tries extra hard to live up to her legitimate birth despite the dark cloud over her parentage. North puts forth every effort to live down to his illegitimate birth despite being officially legitimate. Both harbor resentment for their mothers - Amanda that her mother's behavior made her seem illegitimate and North that his mother would give him away to the earl and countess so he would look legitimate. In this way they tend to balance each other out perfectly.

While I loved the language and lengthy dialog, I did have some issues with the plotting. Near the end, Layton spent an inordinate amount of time on North's parentage. It had the effect of demphasizing the romance without adding much to their character arcs. I didn't feel that the specifics of his illegitimacy were that important to their stories.

I'd give this one 4 stars. While not perfect, it's still a strong, character-focused regency with sparkling dialog.

[Aneca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a lovely story, a traditional regency with a young lady trying to live a respectable life and avoid her mother's scandalous reputation and a jaded rake returning home who finds himself in a compromising situation with said lady.

I really enjoyed it and how Layton crafted a tale about 2 people of less than pristine background and dealt with the subject of how we are seen/judged by others by matters beyond our control and responsability. It's character driven story and it is delightful to see Amanda and North change during the course of the action.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently heard Faith Salie interview Adam Felber and his sister, Susie, about growing up with their romance writing mother, Edith Layton. (The interview was part of the Audible Unauthorized series--find it if you can, it's fantastic.) Adam and Susie revealed that their mother modeled some of her characters on stars of the 80s and 90s, and David Bowie was the inspiration for Lord North's looks in this book. What fun it was to read this and imagine David Bowie strutting around!

This story is outside the realm of a typical regency of that era. Yes, we have balls, big country estates, meddling mamas, and an engagement of convenience, but it all takes place on the fringes of the ton. These people are not quite respectable, which is a huge part of the plot. Despite that, North's younger brother would be completely at home in a Georgette Heyer novel (that's a good thing). I wasn't entirely certain of the historical accuracy of some major plot points, but that's okay; the characters and dialog were engaging.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. It had the hurt,hard feeling rake with the innocent, loyal and loving heroine. It is a second release first printed back in 1984 I think..at still a good story today!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars. My first book by the late Edith Layton, and I enjoyed it. I liked her writing style. It was first published in 1984! Wow. It did feel a little old-skool at times, but overall I would not have picked that. Although, despite the many references to adulterous relationships and children born ‘on the wrong side of the blanket’ (or one of the nicer euphemisms from the book, ‘children of the mist’), it was otherwise a pretty clean read, with no actual sex scenes. Probably due to the times it was published, I imagine. But the references to adultery etc were all an essential part of the plot.

I liked Layton’s depictions of her characters. The MFC Amanda perhaps felt a little flat at times, but the MMC Viscount North was more complex and interesting, and I also enjoyed the numerous secondary characters. Even Amanda’s mother who seemed to have the morals of a particularly cunning house cat, was eventually able to explain her lifestyle choices in a believable and sympathetic manner. It’s just a pity for Amanda’s sake that she didn’t explain to Amanda a few years earlier.

This was mostly a non-cliche HR. It didn’t rely on the tired old tropes seen so many times they can become a little boring. Yes, North was the traditional rake who reforms with the love of a good woman, but it felt believable as the story developed and his background was revealed.

The book was set amongst the shadier (but no less real) side of ton society. Amanda’s and North’s families were well known to have some children who were not born to both of their legitimate parents. Amanda’s infamous mother mixed in very colourful circles, although Amanda herself, who lived with her father, was an innocent who kept to the rules. It was interesting to read a HR set in this somewhat shady world, which certainly existed and was a reality for many aristocrats.

I liked the setting and storyline. The ending was somewhat predictable, but it was still unrolled in a readable manner that kept my interest. Overall I enjoyed the read, and would definitely consider more books by this writer.

[Bt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked that this book dealt directly with different sides of, and some of the consequences of, affairs, illegitimate children, and sexual promiscuity. But I also really appreciate that the book is tasteful and "clean" while still discussing those issues.

I thought the leading lady and man were pretty good. And probably my favorite character was the man's jolly, fun, loving, plus-sized, insightful brother. I thought he was a unique character that I haven't seen that often in books, especially books set in this era... but is a type of person I've seen in real life.

I wished to have a little more from the end of this book. I would have preferred the main guy to learn to love himself despite being an illegitimate kid from nowhere, instead of not having to worry about it because he was partially legitimized. And I would have liked to see a little more of selfless love and putting the other person first in the romantic relationship.

There was one moment in the book, I think when the guy and lady and brother were riding through the woods in the snow, that just seemed like magic to me. Somehow it reminded me of reading books when I was younger, when a certain scene would just take my imagination in a certain way, and make me happy, like I was right there and could picture it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.8)

A fun and easy read. I wish it was a bit longer so Christian and Amanda's relationship could have been explored more, and so that we got a bit more interactions. I've noticed that Edith Layton likes to really talk about her characters, but I think she sometimes does that to the detriment of their relationships with each other. I love reading about the small detail and minor interactions between characters that would seem irrelevant or random upon a glance, but actually reveal a lot about them. I think Edith Layton does this quite well in some conversations, but I think she's lacking in quantity as well as variety.

Overall though, I liked the characters and their stories, so this book was a good read for me.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your usual Regency as so many of Ms. Layton's works are not. Still, an entirely enjoyable effort in the less seemly aspects of Regency life. The characters are easy to like and commiserate with without being either too cloying or too unsympathetic. I could see where the resolution was headed from a mile off, but the getting there was worth the read.

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una Layton meno drammatica, più leggera del solito; e in questo caso ho apprezzato soprattutto la scrittura, intelligente, ironica, fortemente evocativa. La storia si dipana serenamente, senza avvincere troppo, ma anche senza deludere, fino alla fine. Una lettura eminentemente distensiva.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very confused about this book. I only read it because it came with the Dukes wager which is such a great book. I could have given this book anything between and including two stars to four stars. I settled for three because, I’m confused.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decidedly enjoyable.

[Shanze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, wonderful characters and a solid storyline.

It’s always a bit annoying to have a misunderstanding at the end of a book, but I didn’t mind it this time.

Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Graham Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sir Boothe? Seriously? Not to mention the plot hole a mile wide.

[Kunju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, cute. Clean

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was compelling overall, but there was too much sexual references for my taste. I ALWAYS prefer clean regency romances!

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I had this book as a paperback in 1984. Back then I was a kid basically so I didn't understand some of the intricacies of Ms. Layton's story. I donated the paperback to my 'Friends of the Library' and thought nothing more of it. Now, thirty two years later, I found this book available on Kindle so I re-read it.

I have to say that I enjoyed it much more than I remembered doing when I originally read the paperback. I appreciated all the little details of Countess of Clovelly's life and the people who joined her little group. I'm sure I hated the Countess when I was a kid reading this and loved Amanda, but now, I have to say that while I found Amanda to sometimes be annoying in the first half by the second she was more than all right.

I really liked Christian and the relationship he and Amanda finally build together.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet romance; well crafted dialogue

[Polo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the style and substance. The loneliness felt by lead characters is well conveyed. The way their relationship develops is good too. It is not pristine though, few scenes, I think two, are slightly open, and I think could've been lightened. Found it overall touching and sensitive, will read the book again, and I do recommend it.

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Edith's books!!

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy Edith Layton's Regencies.

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord of dishonor was so so. Characters were good but it was too staid or slow to be great.
Pg 16 describes the hero in interesting viewpoint.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my thoughts at ROMANCE NOVELS FOR FEMINISTS: http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blog...

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edith Layton is usually pretty decent, but this book was disgusting. Definitely not clean.