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The Cruel Count
THE CRUEL COUNT
It was certainly not the reception Lady Vesta Cressington-Font had expected.
As soon as she left her ship and set foot on the small Mediterranean island of Katona, the blue-eyed, exquisitely-beautiful Vesta felt frightened and totally alone. Where, she wondered, were Prince Alexander's representatives? Surely His Royal Highness would not let his future bride arrive in Katona without a formal greeting. Really, it was quite unthinkable: traveling all the way from England to marry a man she had never met and then being rudely abandoned . . .
"The tell me you have arrived alone."
The words cut across Vestra's indignant reverie. Startled, she directed her gaze toward the man who spoke them. His stern, domineering manner, his penetrating glance alarmed her. And yet he was so darkly handsome . . .
"I am Count Miklos Czako," the stranger continued harshly. "I will take you to His Royal Highness."
It was certainly not the reception Lady Vesta Cressington-Font had expected.
As soon as she left her ship and set foot on the small Mediterranean island of Katona, the blue-eyed, exquisitely-beautiful Vesta felt frightened and totally alone. Where, she wondered, were Prince Alexander's representatives? Surely His Royal Highness would not let his future bride arrive in Katona without a formal greeting. Really, it was quite unthinkable: traveling all the way from England to marry a man she had never met and then being rudely abandoned . . .
"The tell me you have arrived alone."
The words cut across Vestra's indignant reverie. Startled, she directed her gaze toward the man who spoke them. His stern, domineering manner, his penetrating glance alarmed her. And yet he was so darkly handsome . . .
"I am Count Miklos Czako," the stranger continued harshly. "I will take you to His Royal Highness."
169 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 1975
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,201 books867 followersBorn 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 29, 2020
"When a man loves as i love you,that love takes everything else from him.If i cannot have you,if you send me away,I shall then be only the empty shell of what i am now.I love you,i worship you, and i cannot go on through life without you!" -Miklos
***
My emotions are all over the place right now.What a surprising twist to a wonderful love-story!"The Cruel Count" is the first novel i have ever read by the legendary writer Barbara Cartland that takes place in the early 1800s where the young english heroine Vesta Cressinton-Front travels to Katona to marry a Prince she have never met but instead meets the very provocative Count Miklos Czako who has to escort her to the Prince.While the threat of Revolution is hanging over them,Vesta and Miklos find the most unexpected bliss of love in each other while they survive all the dangers throughout their journey.
***
"I would possess not only your soft lips and your wonderful desirable body,but also your thoughts,your feelings,the very breath you draw.I want every scrap of you,Vesta,I want you-the whole of you and forever." -Miklos
***
This is a splendid and exciting and emotional tale of duty,love,sacrifice and expresses how intense love can be between soulmates.I didn`t expect a delightful hero like Miklos.Despite his dark edge there was such a sweet charm in him,in the way he protected and took care of Vesta.He understood and sympathized with her.Both fascinated each other,there was this invincible chain between them that drew them together.It was highly entertaining and romantic,i cried so many times of the pureness in their love for each other.This is one of the most wonderful love-stories i have ever read!
***
My emotions are all over the place right now.What a surprising twist to a wonderful love-story!"The Cruel Count" is the first novel i have ever read by the legendary writer Barbara Cartland that takes place in the early 1800s where the young english heroine Vesta Cressinton-Front travels to Katona to marry a Prince she have never met but instead meets the very provocative Count Miklos Czako who has to escort her to the Prince.While the threat of Revolution is hanging over them,Vesta and Miklos find the most unexpected bliss of love in each other while they survive all the dangers throughout their journey.
***
"I would possess not only your soft lips and your wonderful desirable body,but also your thoughts,your feelings,the very breath you draw.I want every scrap of you,Vesta,I want you-the whole of you and forever." -Miklos
***
This is a splendid and exciting and emotional tale of duty,love,sacrifice and expresses how intense love can be between soulmates.I didn`t expect a delightful hero like Miklos.Despite his dark edge there was such a sweet charm in him,in the way he protected and took care of Vesta.He understood and sympathized with her.Both fascinated each other,there was this invincible chain between them that drew them together.It was highly entertaining and romantic,i cried so many times of the pureness in their love for each other.This is one of the most wonderful love-stories i have ever read!
September 17, 2019
Okay another good one and while i was reading it I remembered it from my teenage years when I worked in a flower shop. The heroine is married by proxy to the Prince of a small nation and she journeys there. There is a revolution going on when she gets there so the Count tells her to go back but she can't because the ship already left and she was already married to the Prince by proxy. So he takes her to the Prince. The journey was pretty exciting and I remember how much I loved it when she saved the baby at the bad guys camp and how much they loved her. That was sweet. She falls in love with the Count and he tells her she has to choose him or the Prince. It was a very sweet novel. I loved the ending. 💓
November 9, 2013
It's over 30 years since I first devoured Barbara Cartland's stories as a teenager and a recent reminder of her got me searching for copies of her books. Where once they were everywhere on shelves, both new and in Op Shops, now they are increasingly had to find, especially the Pan Editions with their distinctive artwork (different from the current editions shown on Goodreads).
I was just a bit excited to finally find a copy of one of her books ... "The Cruel Count" ... and yes, I was transported back to the worlds that Barbara Cartland created (over 700 times, her output was phenomenal).
Her worlds are often, as here, inhabited by dark and brooding heroes and delicate but often adventurous heroines who love and hate in a way that seems unrealistic but makes for enjoyable escapist fun ...
Definitely not a source for advice on modern living and relationships but then her books are generally 'historical' in their settings ... this one is set in 1819 and perhaps unusually in the 'exotic' location of 'Katona', though the heroine is of course of the English aristocracy.
Put your feet-up, grab a coffee (or tea if your prefer), a box of chocolates and read along for a pleasant diversion ...
I was just a bit excited to finally find a copy of one of her books ... "The Cruel Count" ... and yes, I was transported back to the worlds that Barbara Cartland created (over 700 times, her output was phenomenal).
Her worlds are often, as here, inhabited by dark and brooding heroes and delicate but often adventurous heroines who love and hate in a way that seems unrealistic but makes for enjoyable escapist fun ...
Definitely not a source for advice on modern living and relationships but then her books are generally 'historical' in their settings ... this one is set in 1819 and perhaps unusually in the 'exotic' location of 'Katona', though the heroine is of course of the English aristocracy.
Put your feet-up, grab a coffee (or tea if your prefer), a box of chocolates and read along for a pleasant diversion ...
September 1, 2010
Nice light read that requires no brain power. Enjoyable.
June 28, 2014
I do love the simplicity, innocence, and sweetness of Barbara Cartland's stories. And as a young girl I would have enjoyed them more. I just have such an issue with the "damsel in distress" always being so willing to accept what she is told, and being willing to be obedient.
July 12, 2013
I loved the twist!!! :)
February 11, 2026
At first it was hard for me to get into this book simply because of the way it is written. I would love to read this as an audiobook. I love the arranged marriage aspect in regency era. Short and sweet
October 26, 2009
When I read this book last weekend, I expected the usual damsel-in-distress situation wrapped in a romantic love story.
But what came to my surprise was, I miss-judged the ending! LOL.
This is the first time I read Barbara Cartland's book and I guessed the ending wrong.
The story is about Lady Vesta who travelled to Katona to marry a prince whom she never met, but when the revolution broke down in katona, she incidentally fell in love with Count Miklos, the handsome royal who was at first told her to go back to England, but finally took her to the Prince Court because she insisted to.
She thought Count Miklos was cruel, but after having series of adventurous journey to the Capital with him, she realized not only the Count's confession of love that dazzled her, but also how to choose between the arranged married to the Prince, or to live happily ever after with her love Count Miklos!
... And so I got wrong in the end :D hahahaha.
Nice story. I really love it!
But what came to my surprise was, I miss-judged the ending! LOL.
This is the first time I read Barbara Cartland's book and I guessed the ending wrong.
The story is about Lady Vesta who travelled to Katona to marry a prince whom she never met, but when the revolution broke down in katona, she incidentally fell in love with Count Miklos, the handsome royal who was at first told her to go back to England, but finally took her to the Prince Court because she insisted to.
She thought Count Miklos was cruel, but after having series of adventurous journey to the Capital with him, she realized not only the Count's confession of love that dazzled her, but also how to choose between the arranged married to the Prince, or to live happily ever after with her love Count Miklos!
... And so I got wrong in the end :D hahahaha.
Nice story. I really love it!
July 29, 2026
Audiobook. Typical Barbara Cartland, but not my favorite.
June 16, 2026
really strong start and some BEAUTIFUL quotes but Count became so off putting after confessing 😭😭
November 15, 2020
Barbara Cartland was a great story teller. Unfortunately this is just not one of her good works.
The story lack depth and the characther is weak, especially the count. It was somewhat predictable and I cannot imagine how the girl would forsake everything for the count - her parents, her promise to them and the govt, just after spending 3 days with the man and not even met the prince or any other well-bred man who would be equally caring and kind (which isn't the case all the time with the count) . Simply disillusioned. Something like Stockholm syndrome I would say.
Though everything seems to fall into place at the end and my suspicion was justified but it didn't right what was wrong. The treatment, the lies.
Thank goodness it was just a short read.
The story lack depth and the characther is weak, especially the count. It was somewhat predictable and I cannot imagine how the girl would forsake everything for the count - her parents, her promise to them and the govt, just after spending 3 days with the man and not even met the prince or any other well-bred man who would be equally caring and kind (which isn't the case all the time with the count) . Simply disillusioned. Something like Stockholm syndrome I would say.
Though everything seems to fall into place at the end and my suspicion was justified but it didn't right what was wrong. The treatment, the lies.
Thank goodness it was just a short read.
September 2, 2017
I don't like the count... I have my own reason for it which I won't state because I don't want to spoil the story ^^
July 13, 2020
3.5 to 4 stars
One of the better ones by Dame Cartland...a bit OTT and flowery but it hits the spot.
One of the better ones by Dame Cartland...a bit OTT and flowery but it hits the spot.
February 19, 2024
The whole thing takes place in the span of a couple days, and yet the relationship progresses quite logically. Yes, it's instalove, but still.
February 8, 2025
This was for the most part an enjoyable story of two people falling in love while traveling. The author does tend to use a lot of purple prose, but it is part of the fun.
September 15, 2023
Easily one of my favorite "fairy tale" classics to rate up there in Austenland and Heyerville! I can't say much about the story because any detail is a give away. Being shoved off to a foreign country to marry the prince never met is a definite new adventure. A wonderful adventure read from page 1 to the end. From one "scrape" to the next...
August 2, 2025
Esse é o único livro que eu li de Barbara Cartland, a escritora europeia da realeza (ou ao menos que se vestia como se fosse) e ultra-conservadora. Cruel Count é a clássica história de amor de romance de avião e livro de cabeceira: livro pocket de tema e profundidade previsível. Você vê, Cartland escreveu e publicou 723 romances em vida_ um número que seria irreal se não fosse verdade. Seu primeiro livro foi publicado em 1925, aos 24 anos e o último em 1997_ mais ou menos um novo livro a cada trinta e cinco dias. Dá pra se imaginar a partir desses números a qualidade da obra: aguada, feita em massa, industrializada, repetitiva. Mas um número que pode dizer o contrário dessa estimativa é o enorme um bilhão de livros vendidos em todo o mundo e as milhares de traduções de sua obra por todo o globo. Cruel Count é um livro que seria facilmente replicado por uma IA generativa ou por um dos macacos do teorema do macaco infinito. Mas não é de todo o ruim: Cartland achou um padrão infalível de construção de histórias, algo até hoje visto nos mais enfadonhos filmes de romance da Sessão da Tarde ou do péssimo catálogo de filmes originais da Netflix_ um homem conhece uma mulher que precisa ser salva de diversas situações e se torna o herói, enquanto a mocinha cai de amor e é salva e liberta pelo poder masculino e bruto, e o laço dos dois segue encarando o resto do mal do mundo. Depois de Cruel Count eu não leria outro dos clássicos femininos de Cartland.
May 27, 2020
1819 As soon as she left her ship and set foot on the small Mediterranean island of Katona, the blue-eyed, exquisitely-beautiful Vesta felt frightened and totally alone. Where, she wondered, were Prince Alexander's representatives? Surely His Royal Highness would not let his future bride arrive in Katona without a formal greeting. Really, it was quite unthinkable: traveling all the way from England to marry a man she had never met and then being rudely abandoned . . .
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews