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Bancrofts Of Barton Park #1
Une comtesse en fuite
Angleterre, 1816. Trois ans plus tôt, Jane a fui la capitale et son débauché de mari pour mener une vie sereine et solitaire à Barton Park. Trois longues années… c’est le temps qu’il lui a fallu pour panser ses blessures et admettre que son union idyllique avec le beau lord Ramsay, la coqueluche de Londres, n’était qu’une illusion. Une façade qui a trompé la bonne société et même son propre cœur, jusqu’à ce jour terrible où elle a compris qu’il n’abandonnerait jamais son mode de vie dissolu pour tenir son rôle d’époux. Aujourd’hui, pourtant, tout cela est derrière elle : Jane est désormais déterminée à officialiser leur séparation et à reprendre sa liberté. Une résolution qui vacille pourtant lorsque son mari se présente un matin chez elle. Car non seulement il semble n’avoir aucune intention de divorcer, mais, pire encore, Jane s’aperçoit qu’il n’a rien perdu de son emprise sur son cœur...
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McCabe
258 books166 followersaka Laurel McKee (Amanda Carmack)
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 2, 2015
Pretty good book. Hayden and Jane had married very young. Once they were in London they got caught up in London society and the problems started. After awhile they grew apart and Jane became more and more unhappy. Unable to get Hayden to listen to her concerns she packed up and moved to her childhood home. Three years later Jane has written to Hayden, offering him a divorce if he wants one, so that he can move on with his life. He realizes that all he wants is Jane back and decides to convince her.
Jane had fallen hard for Hayden when she first met him. He was young and handsome and fun. Even after they married everything was great, until they returned to London after their honeymoon. Then Jane realized that she was a countess and there were things that were expected of her, things she had no idea of how to do. She had grown up in the country and had no experience with this kind of lifestyle and she felt completely overwhelmed. And once they were back, Hayden was rarely with her, even when they attended things together. When she became pregnant and miscarried three times the gulf between them got even worse, with Jane feeling like a failure. Finally she told him that she needed to get away for awhile and returned to her childhood home. Three years later, having had no contact with him at all, she wrote to him offering a divorce so he could remarry and get an heir. She didn't expect him to show up at her home a few days later, to let her know there would be no divorce. She realizes that her attraction to him is still there and that she never stopped loving him. She also doesn't want to risk getting caught up in that life again. She doesn't trust that he won't disappear and go back to being the same old Hayden. But the longer he stays the more he becomes like the man she fell in love with. I realize that she has a great deal of trouble trusting him again, but I thought she spent a bit too much time remembering the way he had been and not enough time looking at the ways he had changed. I did like the fact that she had had the strength of will to get out of the bad situation to start with, but I thought she could have been a little more open to seeing the possibilities. I thought for sure she was going to fade back into the background when his friends showed up unexpectedly, and was thrilled when she finally showed the backbone she had developed over the last three years. It took a near disaster for her to realize that not all of the fault had been his.
Hayden had been drawn to Jane the first time he saw her. He was accustomed to getting pretty much anything he wanted and he pursued her as hard as he could. Being with her made him feel things he had never felt before. His parents had been quite cold to him, with his father having unrealistic expectations and his mother being a party animal. He had never been exposed to what a loving marriage was like. While it was just the two of them everything was fine, but when they returned to London he ended up caving in to peer pressure. He could see that things were going badly but he had no idea how to fix it. He was devastated when she left, but not knowing what to do he simply buried himself in activity. When he got Jane's letter he got angry that she would ask for a divorce and rode off to see her. After getting tossed from his horse in a storm and getting hurt, he had to stay with Jane until he was healed. This gave him the opportunity to try to convince her to come back to him. He realized immediately that she was much happier now that she had been before she left him. He was confused as to why since he had only wanted to make her happy before and had given her everything he thought she might like. It took a hard look at what she had in her life now for him to realize that she had never been interested in the things he could give her, that she had wanted him. Now he had to try to show her that he could change. He was doing very well until his friends showed up, and then he started to backslide. Fortunately he had begun to see what he was doing but it was almost too late. He did come through when Jane's sister needed him. My biggest problem with Hayden was how much time he spent beating himself up about how he had treated Jane. It seemed like every single chapter had some variant on that theme. I was glad they both realized they had been at fault and had matured enough to know that they had to work at it to make their marriage work.
Jane had fallen hard for Hayden when she first met him. He was young and handsome and fun. Even after they married everything was great, until they returned to London after their honeymoon. Then Jane realized that she was a countess and there were things that were expected of her, things she had no idea of how to do. She had grown up in the country and had no experience with this kind of lifestyle and she felt completely overwhelmed. And once they were back, Hayden was rarely with her, even when they attended things together. When she became pregnant and miscarried three times the gulf between them got even worse, with Jane feeling like a failure. Finally she told him that she needed to get away for awhile and returned to her childhood home. Three years later, having had no contact with him at all, she wrote to him offering a divorce so he could remarry and get an heir. She didn't expect him to show up at her home a few days later, to let her know there would be no divorce. She realizes that her attraction to him is still there and that she never stopped loving him. She also doesn't want to risk getting caught up in that life again. She doesn't trust that he won't disappear and go back to being the same old Hayden. But the longer he stays the more he becomes like the man she fell in love with. I realize that she has a great deal of trouble trusting him again, but I thought she spent a bit too much time remembering the way he had been and not enough time looking at the ways he had changed. I did like the fact that she had had the strength of will to get out of the bad situation to start with, but I thought she could have been a little more open to seeing the possibilities. I thought for sure she was going to fade back into the background when his friends showed up unexpectedly, and was thrilled when she finally showed the backbone she had developed over the last three years. It took a near disaster for her to realize that not all of the fault had been his.
Hayden had been drawn to Jane the first time he saw her. He was accustomed to getting pretty much anything he wanted and he pursued her as hard as he could. Being with her made him feel things he had never felt before. His parents had been quite cold to him, with his father having unrealistic expectations and his mother being a party animal. He had never been exposed to what a loving marriage was like. While it was just the two of them everything was fine, but when they returned to London he ended up caving in to peer pressure. He could see that things were going badly but he had no idea how to fix it. He was devastated when she left, but not knowing what to do he simply buried himself in activity. When he got Jane's letter he got angry that she would ask for a divorce and rode off to see her. After getting tossed from his horse in a storm and getting hurt, he had to stay with Jane until he was healed. This gave him the opportunity to try to convince her to come back to him. He realized immediately that she was much happier now that she had been before she left him. He was confused as to why since he had only wanted to make her happy before and had given her everything he thought she might like. It took a hard look at what she had in her life now for him to realize that she had never been interested in the things he could give her, that she had wanted him. Now he had to try to show her that he could change. He was doing very well until his friends showed up, and then he started to backslide. Fortunately he had begun to see what he was doing but it was almost too late. He did come through when Jane's sister needed him. My biggest problem with Hayden was how much time he spent beating himself up about how he had treated Jane. It seemed like every single chapter had some variant on that theme. I was glad they both realized they had been at fault and had matured enough to know that they had to work at it to make their marriage work.
November 10, 2017
The plot moved too slowly for me. Heroine, Jane feels regretful for her estranged husband's, the Earl of Ramsay, past lack of maturity and devotion. He's very sociable and drinks to excess. She's an introvert. He leaves her on their wedding night to go to his club and expects her to bounce back after 3 miscarriages! How shallow. This is not a book that has a compelling storyline. Could easily have been a short story instead.
May 24, 2015
This was a quick read and a bit predictable but I'm still glad that I read it. I always pull for the estranged married couples to work things out and get back together. It was a bit maddening that Hayden was such a wreck as a husband but it did make it totally understandable when Jane left him. I was amazed it took him so long to get off his duff and go after her but at least he finally did. I also liked the relationship between the sisters. I'll likely read the next book.
November 18, 2013
elainec
Posted November 16, 2013
I really enjoyed this Regency. Jane and Hayden met and married when they were way too young. They didn't know how to work things out when they had problems. Their parents were dead and they had no close relatives to turn to for counsel. Jane leaves him and they have no communication for about three years. When she writes suggesting they divorce, Hayden goes off to the country to see her. In their minds, each blames the other for the breakdown of their marriage. What follows is a working out of their problems, but it is so slow because they don't communicate. Achieving their HEA was a very slow and difficult and uneven process. It always rained. The rain seemed to be almost another character, dragging them down, making progress uneven and difficult. By the end of the book I was so happy for this young couple who certainly worked harder than many whose stories I've read. Since this was a Regency and the story was almost entirely about Jane and Hayden, the story had a big emotional punch. I recommend it.
August 26, 2025
The Runaway Countess by Amanda McCabe swept me away from the very first page. As the debut novel in the Bancrofts of Barton Park series, it delivers a story rich in drama, tenderness, and the quiet complexities of love within marriage.
Jane and Hayden’s relationship is the heart of this book—and what a compelling heart it is. Their love is undeniable, but so are the misunderstandings that keep them apart. Jane longs to be heard, while Hayden, shaped by the cold example of his own parents, struggles to grasp what a true partnership requires. He’s not cruel or indifferent—just lost in a pattern he doesn’t know how to break. Their conflict isn’t rooted in a lack of affection, but in a lack of emotional fluency, which makes their journey feel deeply authentic.
What makes this story shine is the way it explores whether love alone is enough. Watching Jane and Hayden confront their pasts, learn to communicate, and slowly rebuild trust is incredibly moving. The quiet, intimate moments—where healing begins and vulnerability is met with grace—are the most powerful. By the end, their transformation into a real, united couple is both satisfying and beautifully earned.
If you’re drawn to romances that dig beneath the surface and explore the emotional work behind a happy ending, this one’s for you. It’s a standout start to the series, and I’m already eager to see what lies ahead for the Bancroft family.
Jane and Hayden’s relationship is the heart of this book—and what a compelling heart it is. Their love is undeniable, but so are the misunderstandings that keep them apart. Jane longs to be heard, while Hayden, shaped by the cold example of his own parents, struggles to grasp what a true partnership requires. He’s not cruel or indifferent—just lost in a pattern he doesn’t know how to break. Their conflict isn’t rooted in a lack of affection, but in a lack of emotional fluency, which makes their journey feel deeply authentic.
What makes this story shine is the way it explores whether love alone is enough. Watching Jane and Hayden confront their pasts, learn to communicate, and slowly rebuild trust is incredibly moving. The quiet, intimate moments—where healing begins and vulnerability is met with grace—are the most powerful. By the end, their transformation into a real, united couple is both satisfying and beautifully earned.
If you’re drawn to romances that dig beneath the surface and explore the emotional work behind a happy ending, this one’s for you. It’s a standout start to the series, and I’m already eager to see what lies ahead for the Bancroft family.
September 1, 2019
3.5 stars.
June 2, 2020
Nice book, with eventual crime that stinks it up for me--but Harlequin stopped printing things without crime, so it gets everywhere--
January 30, 2024
it is a good plot, although the book has some very dull moments which made me want to keep it down .. nevertheless, it's a nice read, not too dramatic
January 24, 2014
The Runaway Countess in one sentence was an emotionally charged regency romance of a young newlywed married couple that loved each other but driven apart by their own mistakes find themselves trying to deal with each other/fix things after years of separation. It packs an emotional punch - not very bad in that I go through a box of tissues and have to take repeated breaks - but bad enough that I certainly ached and teared up for the characters. But there were certainly lighter moments in the book that made me smile. This story is told mostly in the "present" setting of the book but there are some flashbacks which add to the story.
Jane and Hayden, the heroine and hero both made their own mistakes and (eventually) faced up to them. The biggest issue with these two was communication, neither of them was able to communicate to the other well enough what they needed/wanted (and/or the other person didn't/wouldn't listen and meet them halfway) that caused some big issues between them. These two each had their own insecurities and fears that simply compounded the problem until their relationship just snapped. It was a ride watching as they slowly began to build it back up again. Made a little lighter by Jane's charming sister Emma (and her dog Murray).
I will say it - Jane and Hayden drove me nuts at times (Hayden in particular, not that Jane was completely blameless). Hayden is one of those brooding, self-punishing kind of heroes who really believes he's undeserving of good things because that's what's been put into his head - he had a crappy childhood with even crappier parents. But at the end of the day - he's genuinely a good guy. Jane while not a particularly stand out, strong or unique character was still wonderful - she was steady, dependable, but with such a goodness and light about her (that was also in her sister) that you can't help but like.
There was no real external plot until near the end with a villain after a "treasure" that was supposedly buried on Barton Park (Emma and Jane's home). It was clear from the get go what he was up to, I didn't fully expect how determined he was but I wasn't surprised to see what happened.
Overall it was a very good read for me since I was in the right mood. This is a good one when your in the mood for something more emotional (but not overly dark), or a love story about second chances. 4 stars.
Jane and Hayden, the heroine and hero both made their own mistakes and (eventually) faced up to them. The biggest issue with these two was communication, neither of them was able to communicate to the other well enough what they needed/wanted (and/or the other person didn't/wouldn't listen and meet them halfway) that caused some big issues between them. These two each had their own insecurities and fears that simply compounded the problem until their relationship just snapped. It was a ride watching as they slowly began to build it back up again. Made a little lighter by Jane's charming sister Emma (and her dog Murray).
I will say it - Jane and Hayden drove me nuts at times (Hayden in particular, not that Jane was completely blameless). Hayden is one of those brooding, self-punishing kind of heroes who really believes he's undeserving of good things because that's what's been put into his head - he had a crappy childhood with even crappier parents. But at the end of the day - he's genuinely a good guy. Jane while not a particularly stand out, strong or unique character was still wonderful - she was steady, dependable, but with such a goodness and light about her (that was also in her sister) that you can't help but like.
There was no real external plot until near the end with a villain after a "treasure" that was supposedly buried on Barton Park (Emma and Jane's home). It was clear from the get go what he was up to, I didn't fully expect how determined he was but I wasn't surprised to see what happened.
Overall it was a very good read for me since I was in the right mood. This is a good one when your in the mood for something more emotional (but not overly dark), or a love story about second chances. 4 stars.
July 8, 2016
Author: Amanda McCabe
First published: 2013
Length: 3304 kindle locations
Setting: Regency Rural England.
Sex: Explicit. Frequent.
Hero: Earl.
Heroine: Countess.
Trigger: Heroine has multiple miscarriages before the book begins.
Simple, straightforward M&B, with a twist.
Our h & H are already married, but have been separated for 3 years. Jane has had multiple miscarriages, Hayden is an unreformed rake, and they can’t find a way to move forward. But they finally start to give the marriage another chance. For the more contemporary reader tastes with strong (almost bluestocking) heroine who is willing to fight for her rights and thoroughly enjoys the marital bed and a beta hero (difficult childhood, needs to be healed).
A bittersweet but ultimately light second-chance romance.
Enjoyable.
Note: picked up because of this thread : https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bancrofts of Barton Park:
Book 1 The Runaway Countess - Hayden Fitzwalter, Earl of Ramsay and Jane Bancroft
Book 2 Running from Scandal - Emma Bancroft and David Marton
Book 3 Running Into Temptation - Miss Melanie Harding and Philip Carrington
(ISBN 9781488780066)
-CR-
First published: 2013
Length: 3304 kindle locations
Setting: Regency Rural England.
Sex: Explicit. Frequent.
Hero: Earl.
Heroine: Countess.
Trigger: Heroine has multiple miscarriages before the book begins.
Simple, straightforward M&B, with a twist.
Our h & H are already married, but have been separated for 3 years. Jane has had multiple miscarriages, Hayden is an unreformed rake, and they can’t find a way to move forward. But they finally start to give the marriage another chance. For the more contemporary reader tastes with strong (almost bluestocking) heroine who is willing to fight for her rights and thoroughly enjoys the marital bed and a beta hero (difficult childhood, needs to be healed).
A bittersweet but ultimately light second-chance romance.
Enjoyable.
Note: picked up because of this thread : https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bancrofts of Barton Park:
Book 1 The Runaway Countess - Hayden Fitzwalter, Earl of Ramsay and Jane Bancroft
Book 2 Running from Scandal - Emma Bancroft and David Marton
Book 3 Running Into Temptation - Miss Melanie Harding and Philip Carrington
(ISBN 9781488780066)
-CR-
September 12, 2015
Premier livre de l'auteure que je lis et j'ai passé un bon moment.
Le thème abordé ici est assez simple, Jane jeune comtesse et épouse aimante se lasse de la vie Londonienne et des abus de son mari( alcool, club, bals...) Cette vie ne lui convient pas et un soir n'en pouvant plus elle décide de partir et de se réfugier au domaine où elle a grandi avec sa sœur.
J'ai bien aimé la façon dont le personnage d'Hayden se remet en cause après le coup de massue que lui assène la lettre de Jane. Il se rend compte qu'il n'a pas été un bon mari pour elle et refusant de se séparer définitivement d'elle par sur le champs la rejoindre pour tenter quelque chose pour la récupérer.
Jane n'est pas en reste malgré tout , elle garde un infime espoir que son mari change et qu'il redevienne celui qu'elle a côtoyé au tout début de leur mariage.
Le personnage d'Emma n'est pas en reste car elle ferait tout pour aider sa sœur à restaurer la demeure familiale et à réconcilier nos deux époux.
Le seul point négatif du récit sera l'impression que nos deux protagoniste se lamente sans cesse sur le passé et les erreurs qu'ils ont commises.
Malgré tout ce fut une agréable lecture, même si elle ne restera pas gravée dans ma mémoire sur le long terme.
Le thème abordé ici est assez simple, Jane jeune comtesse et épouse aimante se lasse de la vie Londonienne et des abus de son mari( alcool, club, bals...) Cette vie ne lui convient pas et un soir n'en pouvant plus elle décide de partir et de se réfugier au domaine où elle a grandi avec sa sœur.
J'ai bien aimé la façon dont le personnage d'Hayden se remet en cause après le coup de massue que lui assène la lettre de Jane. Il se rend compte qu'il n'a pas été un bon mari pour elle et refusant de se séparer définitivement d'elle par sur le champs la rejoindre pour tenter quelque chose pour la récupérer.
Jane n'est pas en reste malgré tout , elle garde un infime espoir que son mari change et qu'il redevienne celui qu'elle a côtoyé au tout début de leur mariage.
Le personnage d'Emma n'est pas en reste car elle ferait tout pour aider sa sœur à restaurer la demeure familiale et à réconcilier nos deux époux.
Le seul point négatif du récit sera l'impression que nos deux protagoniste se lamente sans cesse sur le passé et les erreurs qu'ils ont commises.
Malgré tout ce fut une agréable lecture, même si elle ne restera pas gravée dans ma mémoire sur le long terme.
February 16, 2016
A romantic Regency tale spiced with adventure.
When Jane and Hayden get married they are very young, a succession of miscarriages and the lure of London, loose friends and the gaming tables eventually drive a wedge between the pair and Jane leaves to live in her ancestral home of Barton with her younger sister Emma.
But after three years without her Hayden gets a letter requesting a divorce for them to both move on and this finally gives him the spur to set things right once and for all and win back his wife and her love.
As always though the path to true love never did run smooth...
Wonderfully written and with a wealth of historical detail and great characters this has all the ingredients for an adventurous, Regency romp.
A brilliant read.
When Jane and Hayden get married they are very young, a succession of miscarriages and the lure of London, loose friends and the gaming tables eventually drive a wedge between the pair and Jane leaves to live in her ancestral home of Barton with her younger sister Emma.
But after three years without her Hayden gets a letter requesting a divorce for them to both move on and this finally gives him the spur to set things right once and for all and win back his wife and her love.
As always though the path to true love never did run smooth...
Wonderfully written and with a wealth of historical detail and great characters this has all the ingredients for an adventurous, Regency romp.
A brilliant read.
September 1, 2016
This one is not as good as the second book in the series.
However, I love the sweetness of the story. Hayden and Jane, both seem estranged for years, as husband and wife, living apart but trying hard to rediscover their love.
Hence the 3-star from me. I love that both hero and heroine are realistic persons. Clearly, Amanda McCabe has a penchant of developing well rounded personalities in her writings. There is no need for damsel in distress or a knight in armor in sight (thank you for that!)
I applaud and appreciate that!
However, I love the sweetness of the story. Hayden and Jane, both seem estranged for years, as husband and wife, living apart but trying hard to rediscover their love.
Hence the 3-star from me. I love that both hero and heroine are realistic persons. Clearly, Amanda McCabe has a penchant of developing well rounded personalities in her writings. There is no need for damsel in distress or a knight in armor in sight (thank you for that!)
I applaud and appreciate that!
January 8, 2014
I found this very refreshing. It had some typical regency romance tropes, but the characters also had a bit of sparkle to them. They were not simply card board puppets in a romance pantomime. My library did not carry the story featuring Emma so I purchased it and look forward to sharing that review eventually as well.
March 17, 2016
The key to any relationship? Communication. I just want to take these characters and lock them in a room until the fight, scream, or cry out all of the miscommunications between them. Sigh. But oh, how I loved Hayden and Jane. So perfect together. I am looking forward to reading about Emma next.
February 19, 2015
It was cute but a little lame. I just felt like there's something missing. I like how their marriage wasn't perfect but the way that they got through everything seemed a little forced and there wasn't one moment where I saw it really coming together. Interesting but definitely not my favorite.
(hard copy).
(hard copy).
August 25, 2013
The story is cute, its a light, fun read about growing up and making thing work, because the reality of life is that there is more to a fairy tale than just they got married and lived happily ever after.
July 12, 2016
This was a boring, bland and predictable story. The hero was too beta character to keep my interest and I had no idea why the heroine find him worth of love. The only character in the story who interested me was the heroine's sister, Emma - the main character of the second book in the series.
July 15, 2015
Alovely novel. Usually I read a novel which ends happily ever after and I wonder if its really happily ever after. This novels talks about two lovers after marriage under the stress of the life of the ton . Really lovely and different.
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December 29, 2014Bancrafts of Barton Park series starter!
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August 2, 2013Miniseries: Bancrofts of Barton Park
Category: Historical Romance
Category: Historical Romance
September 22, 2013
3.5 stars actually. Too much whining on Jane's part, too much self-berating on Hayden's part. I'm hoping the sequel will be better.
February 26, 2014
Simply written, and a decent read.
February 27, 2016
Nice story. Liked this a lot.
January 17, 2021
Hayden and Jane married young and fell into the rat race when they returned to London after their honeymoon. After being separated for 3 years Jane decides it's time to settle their marriage.
January 4, 2016
3.5 ish
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews