Die kleine Heuchlerin

by Barbara Cartland, Esther Facius (Translater)

Afin d'échapper à un mariage imposé, Iona Prestwood a dû fuir sa chère Écosse pour se réfugier dans une institution chic de Londres où elle est devenue institutrice. Elle ignore qu'à la ville des dangers pires encore guettent les ingénues. Démunie, sans ressources, elle devient la victime d'un suborneur. Qui pourrait l'aider ? Peut-être James Dalmuir, son voisin en Ecosse, qu'elle a reconnu au détour d'une rue. Iona se souvient avec émotion des moments de complicité qu'ils ont partagés. Mais James ne voit en elle qu'une petite sœur attendrissante, car il est ébloui par Justine, la célèbre actrice française...-

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Fiction

349 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1983

About the author

Born in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com

Reviews

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, penned in a way only Barbara Cartland can. This one is loaded with intrigue and suspense along with drama and some romance. Iona comes to the Duke's castle pretending to be someone else to help Prince Charles and Scotland. If she is caught, it means treason and she will be killed. As she stays in the castle she discovers that there is more going on here than it first seems.....what's with Lady Beatrice? Lord Niall? The Duchess? What sinster plot is unfolding? Will they find the missing diamonds? Will they be able to survive? With great attention to the detail of original historical period and Prince Charles Stuart, she has expanded using added elements creating a captivating and enjoyable plot. Her characters are always so dignified and moral that they still do the right thing even if it means sacrificing their happiness and love. Both the Duke and Iona are not overly emotional but let their feeling show by the look in their eyes and through small interactions, they display the famous proper 'British Reserve'. But once passion finds them, they show a loving sweetness to each other.

[L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orphaned lass Iona Ward agrees to take on a dangerous mission for her Bonnie Prince Charlie Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart. She'll enter Scotland and assume the identity of the long lost sister of Ewan, Duke of Arkrae. Oh, and if she's got the time she's to also locate some missing diamonds. Helping her with her subterfuge is Hector, the guy I was kind of hoping she would end up with. But who am I kidding? This is a Barbara Cartland book, and the poor guy never gets the girl in a Cartland book.

The Duke's castle is a busy castle. His stepmother is in love with his half-brother, Niall, who is in love with Beatric Wrexham, who is in love with any man within her line of sight, that man at the moment being the Duke. There's plenty of intrigue, secret identities, escapes from the dungeon, and even a ghost thrown into the mix. What there's not much of is romance in this romance novel. Iona and Ewan have very few scenes together before BAM! the mighty pen of Barbara Cartland declares they shalt be in love.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line. I did struggle with the Scottish parts, but that only occurred occasionally. Overall a nice relaxing novel.

[Lady Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only Cartland book I've read. I took months to get it from my library and then I can't remember exactly why I had wanted to read one of her books. I'm guessing that at the time I requested it I had been watching the Dame Sally character on "Little Britain".

It is a romance but definitely different from the romances that I've read that were written more recently. You definitely need to use your imagination to figure out that the characters are falling in love. Really the book is more suspense than anything else. It's a nice change to read a book that takes place in a period that isn't Regency.

[Zelah Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've rated this three stars but it's more of a two and a half really, so I'm rounding up. The hero and heroine have barely any interaction at all for the bulk of the story and then are suddenly madly in love. I'd go so far as to say that the hero is a minor character who only really has anything to do in the last 10% or so of the book.

As an adventure story, it's OK. As a romance, it's a little bit lacking.

Probably wouldn't re-read.

[Judith Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick entertaining read. Predictable in an enjoyable way.

[MaryD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this, had trouble getting into the story as it dragged on & on. The last 1/4 was the best as the plots were revealed and the relationships developed.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forgot this was supposed to be a romance, and then I was disappointed when the characters fell in love.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compared to the other Barbara Cartland romance novels I read, this one was surprisingly not that bad. It still wasn't what I would call good literature though but it was a quick, amusing read.

[Olene Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this book four stars for its pure entertainment value. I'm not sure when I last read a book that was so unapologetically fun. Cartland turned everything up to a 10 here. The villains are *evil* with no redeeming qualities. The heroes are pure, heroic, and selfless. The castle is described like something out of a fairy tale. The sumptuous clothes and jewels are constantly to be admired thanks to the lovely prose. There are intrigues, seductions, secret passageways, and diamonds galore! The whole last chapter feels like the author trying to outdo her own HEA.

You simply can't help but smile and enjoy the ride.

But, my brain is telling me to give this two stars. After all, the characters are wafer thin - hardly more than placeholders filling in their stereotypical roles. All the problems in the book have a way of magically solving themselves and the heroine just placidly rides the wave, hardly ever being active in her own story.

The side characters end up in a jumble of loose ends.

There is no communication between the hero and heroine before they fall inexplicably in love. We even have to wait a couple of chapters to be given an explanation of how he knew all along that she wasn't his long lost sister (which is what she claimed from the beginning). Eek!

My recommendation is to enjoy this little book for what it is: a pulpy women's adventure story with a little romance tossed in for good measure.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really Charming read. Barbara Cartland has written a good novel, I like the fact that it was set in Scotland and it involves the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie. I’ve always found this era of history so intriguing, And she has only increased my interest more with her version of events.
Iona is a fabulous character, she is a heroine For sure. She is brave , stubborn And loyal. I liked the relationship that she had with Ewan. Now the Duke, Is a character that I really liked. He is brave, strong and kind broody in a dark way and I quite like that if a male character, it makes him more fascinating to work out over the pages. He is the ultimate hero that you see in All Barbara Cartland’s Books. But with Ewan , Get a sense of honour and loyalty as well as a man not to cross swords with.In my eyes he is the ultimate historical hero and I think he’ll be one of my favourite characters from Barbara Cartland books.
Now Niall, It’s a totally different character, me, jealous and values yourself to be worthy of more than he should be. Can you make a good feeling to the story And you can imagine him with dark looks at the petulant nature, and I’m glad he got his Just deserts with his ending in the story.

[Caio Chaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bem parecido com o outro romance da autora, chamado de “Elizabethian Lover”, tem a mesma premissa de troca de identidades da protagonista e embora seja lenta a construção do romance entre os protagonistas, é bem terno e lacrimonoso, principalmente no final que tudo parece se resolver como em um conto de fadas. Gostei da leitura e fiquei encantado com a ambientação na Escócia, me vi algumas vezes imaginando os castelos e as plantações que o livro tanto fala. Achei que mesmo que o amor seja bem reservado, houve uma boa construção da autora no decorrer da relação entre eles, principalmente porque eles tiveram algumas cenas juntos. Há alguns momentos de pura incredualidade perto do fim para justificar algumas ações, principalmente por parte do Duque, mas isso é coisa de Barbara Cartland.

[Lady Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. It was good enough that I would explore more by the author (who is not at all a new author but new to me.). The characters are painted more in general brush strokes with not a lot of development.

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions and an enjoyable escape, but altogether unrealistic.

[Louise Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Barbara Cartland novels I have read. And instead of her typical insipid blonde heroine we have a smart and courageous redhead. Beautiful Scotland setting as well.

[Sharknado Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Barbara Cartland's book so far! It has it all: romance, mystery, intrigues and history. I had a lovely time reading it.

[Brigitte Alouqua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depuis que j’ai découvert les livres de Barbara Cartland, il y a de nombreuses années, je n’ai jamais été déçue, ici, pourtant, je suis mitigée en fin de lecture. Il faut une première fois pour toute chose, eh bien c’est donc la première fois que Barbara Cartland n’aura pas réussi à me transporter dans cet univers que j’aime chez elle.
Comme toujours, sa plume est pourtant entraînante, mais l’histoire en elle-même est un peu tirée par les cheveux, bien que pour cette époque, nous sommes ici en 1899, ce genre de situation soit tout à fait possible et envisageable.
Iona et James se connaissent depuis l’enfance, leurs demeures familiales sont voisines. Après la mort de son père, Iona se retrouve seule avec sa mère et sa jeune sœur. Suite au décès de son mari, celle-ci ne sait plus que faire, elle tombe dans une dépression, mais à force d’insistance de la part de Iona, elle finira par accepter de faire un voyage afin de se changer les idées et de reprendre du poil de la bête. C’est durant ce voyage qu’elle rencontrera son futur mari, mais celui-ci ne semble pas accepter les deux filles, les voici toujours reléguées à devoir manger dans la cuisine pour ne pas le déranger lorsqu’il est à table, ou encore toujours enfermée à devoir faire de la couture. La famille étant endettée, ce cher Monsieur prend la décision de marier Iona à un de ses amis, un ami beaucoup plus âgé que la jeune fille. N’acceptant pas cela, elle partira sans rien dire à personne, elle ira jusqu’à changer de nom de famille afin de ne pas être retrouvée.
C’est à l’occasion d’un voyage à Londres, que les chemins de James et Iona vont à nouveau se croiser. Là où je trouve cette histoire un peu étrange, c’est qu’ils se connaissent depuis pas mal d’années, et pourtant en étant sur le même trottoir, en se croisant, ils arrivent à ne pas se reconnaître, ils ont juste l’impression de reconnaître la personne qu’ils viennent de croiser. Chose improbable et qui pourtant va se répéter à plusieurs reprises. A la rigueur, je suis d’accord pour que la première fois ils ne se reconnaissent pas vu qu’ils ne s’attendent pas à croiser l’autre dans la ville de Londres, mais les fois suivantes ?!? Pour moi c’est une énorme incohérence qui a malheureusement fait pencher la balance, et pas du bon côté.
Je continuerai malgré tout à lire les parutions de Barbara Cartland, parce que c’est une auteure que j’ai toujours appréciée, mais avec Une trop jolie Ecossaise, je dois bien dire que je suis mitigée, et pas dans le sens positif malheureusement.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

1750, Scottish Highlands.

Four years after Bonnie Prince Charles had lost the battle of Culloden Moor, he and his friends are planning another Rising. The Duke of Arkrae, Chief of the Clan MacCraggan, is of great importance, owing to the strategic position of his territories. But where his sympathies lie is known neither to the Jacobites nor to the English.

Iona a lovely 17-year-old red-haired ward of a Jacobite exile in Paris, agrees to impersonate the Duke's half-sister, who was drowned as a child. Her mission: to learn whether the duke, head of the most powerful clan in Scotland, was loyal to the prince--or a traitor. In order to discover the truth, she arrived to Skaig Castle.

It was a scheme that called for wit and courage, and Iona complicated her task by falling hopelessly in love with the handsome duke at first sight! If he were a traitor, she must denounce him; and if he were not, she must disappear from his life as suddenly as she had entered it. For surely the Duke of Arkrae would not return the love of a nobody -- a pretender?

[Marguerite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars.

My second Barbara Cartland read (after Elizabethan Lover).

I... sort of enjoyed this one. The romance went from 0 to 100 in the space of a few pages, the middle section was super slow with the pacing, but overall, I just found this novel cute and a bit of a laugh. I kept thinking that this would make a really funny comedy adaptation of the genre (I mean, the way Iona runs away from her *true love* because of "reasons", has a spectacular inner monologue of her angst and piety of doing the right thing about turning away from the man she loves, then stepping out of the coach in London and the Duke just being there like "Hello darling! Shall we head around to my Aunt's now?" had me in stitches). Then don't get me started on the conclusion and the manner in which the 'baddies' were dealt with... very convenient and certainly not one I've read before.

I'm coming around to the charm of Barbara Cartland's romances! Keen to read a third one soon. Would definitely recommend The Little Pretender over Elizabethan Lover.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where I got the book: 4-book freebie from the publisher. I just couldn't resist seeing what I now thought of Barbara Cartland, whose novels I used to devour as a kid (my grandmother had a whole load of them and I needed reading material).

And after all these years, she's still fun to read. Totally preposterous, of course--her heroines are impossibly tiny and dainty (with heart-shaped faces and masses of hair) and her heroes get progressively taller and more granite-jawed to the point where I was snorting with laughter each time the new Mr. Wonderful was introduced.

This story was pretty entertaining, though. Forgettable, but entertaining. And I just love that 70s cover illustration. Captions, please.