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What’s a gentleman to do when he inherits a title, a fortune…and a mistress?
When legendary lover, the Marquess of Templeston, dies in the arms of his mistress, he charges his son and heir Drew Ramsey with the future care of all of his mistresses. Determined to honor the outrageous request, Drew returns home to bury his father and is stunned to find living on the grounds of Swanslea Park the one woman whose charms he could never resist.

Kathryn Stafford abandoned Drew at the altar six years before and vanished in a cloud of mystery. She had hoped her feelings for him would fade, but when she comes face-to-face with the gorgeous new marquess, she discovers they have only deepened.

Drew is determined to keep his distance from the woman he believes to have been one of his father’s mistress. But every yearning glance and sizzling touch draws him closer to Kathryn…and to the scandalous secret that drove them apart.

Book 1 of the “Mistresses of the Marquess” Series, which includes ONCE A MISTRESS, ALWAYS A LADY and EVER A PRINCESS.

309 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

735 people are currently reading
652 people want to read

About the author

Rebecca Hagan Lee

34 books99 followers
Rebecca Hagan Lee has had many different jobs, earning her beads of experience on the necklace of life with each one, but her desire to write was constant. After graduating from college, she set out to make her mark in the world of television journalism, but somewhere along the way, she decided she was a small town girl at heart and settled in a town where the media consisted of a weekly newspaper and an AM radio station.

Seeking a creative outlet, she turned to writing romance and began to write stories far different from those in the world of television news, but not that far removed from the hundreds of episodes of Daniel Boone, Big Valley, Gunsmoke and Bonanza she had watched growing up. She decided to create stories where good guys win, bad guys lose, prostitutes have hearts of gold and the heroes and heroines who fall in love and persevere are richly rewarded with incredibly bright futures and happy endings. In her world, heroines don't die or get killed off to make way for the next episode's new love interest. Her heroines get their men and help them become ideal husbands, lovers, friends and fathers.

Rebecca lives in a small southern town with her husband, a miniature schnauzer, two rat terriers, a half dozen barn cats, and two extraordinary horses. She is currently seated at the computer working hard to make her dreams come true, or riding off with her hero into the sunset. . .

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5 stars
429 (36%)
4 stars
377 (32%)
3 stars
256 (21%)
2 stars
73 (6%)
1 star
29 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Daneesha.
382 reviews8 followers
January 30, 2009
i just couldn't get over the heroine being the former mistress of the hero's father. ugh. c'mon! not to mention, she had a kid with the father...sigh.
Profile Image for Gilgamesha.
469 reviews11 followers
December 26, 2017
Here is what didn't work for me.....the stupid secret that doesn't get revealed until the end and hero's reaction to it. Annoying as hell.
39 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2019
It was ok

The story is about a couple who loved one another but were separated for 6 years because the gentleman’s best friend raped the woman. And then when the gentleman’s father finds out about the girl being raped, instead of telling the gentleman about her plight and the reason she stood him up at the altar, this guys father arranged for one of his friends to marry her. When the fathers friend dies after the poor girl gives birth to her rapists child, again instead of telling his son the circumstances, he sets the girl up as his fake mistress, in hopes that his son figures everything out and marries the girl! I can understand why the girl doesn’t want to talk about her rape, it was horrifying to be brutally raped by her fiancés best friend, but seriously, after the guys father finds out about the girls circumstances, he sets her up as his “mistress” and gives her one of his own illegitimate offspring to raise after her own child dies? The story itself is ok, but I was saddened that nobody that knew this poor girl stood up for her or really tried to help the only man she loved, to understand what happened to her. Maybe I need to change the type of stories I read for awhile, the more I think about this story the grumpier I get.
Profile Image for L.R.W. Lee.
Author 31 books788 followers
January 29, 2018
I loved the complexity of this book. Usually romances play out with the expected scenes of lovers meet, lovers get to know each other, slow burn, etc. and the plot resolves pretty expectedly. This book, Lee doesn't reveal the answer to last mystery until the very end. I wasn't necessarily excited about the actual solution, it seemed to come out of thin air, but I loved that everything didn't resolve until the very, very end.
Profile Image for Tonileg.
2,243 reviews26 followers
October 2, 2017
Historical English romance with a widowed 'mistress' to the Marquess of Templeston who is raising their bastard son, Kit on one of this estates.
Kathryn Stafford has a terrible story that ruined her chance at love and marriage with her beloved, Drew Ramsey, but in the years that followed, she has made lemonade with her lemons of life. So when she and Drew get a second chance at love and a life together, they work at making it happen, but secrets threaten until the truth comes out. HEA guaranteed. This story is so crazy sexist, but fitting for the time period. It is insane that Katheryn could have been a mistress of Drew's father and then himself. That part of the story is crazy and offputting, although everything is explained later in the story, but to throw that into the plot almost made me stop reading.
268 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Profile Image for Danyka.
56 reviews6 followers
Want to read
July 27, 2012
The summary plot is wrong, the main charaters are Andrew Ramsey, the sixteenth Marquess of Templeston and Kathryn Stafford.
3,220 reviews67 followers
January 9, 2026
The h is amazing, strong and good to the bone. The H is a good man grieving a loss. I loved this couple and the plot was very twisty and while sad, rather lovely too. Loved it.
Profile Image for Joann Herley.
Author 19 books61 followers
April 6, 2019
Once A Mistress was a bit of a struggle for me. The idea of a father leaving his mistress to his son in his will was a bit odd. Especially, since, she was originally betrothed to the son. However, there was a mystery to be solved, and it kept me going until the end. 2.5 stars
Profile Image for Sandra R.
3,352 reviews47 followers
May 6, 2016
3.5 stars. I liked this book and it was well written - good steamy romance. There were lots of twists and turns that I did not guess and I wanted to keep reading. Several readers didn't like that the heroine was a mistress, but they haven't obviously read to the end to see what secrets were revealed. (Not giving away spoilers)

Negatives - The word 'okay' was used. It hadn't been invented in the early 1800's. The clocks were stopped throughout the house for the funeral, so why did a clock chime in one room ? LOL (nitpicking)
Also an adopted or illegitimate child could NOT inherit an English peerage at the time.

I enjoy all this author's books and am gradually reading through her back list.
160 reviews
September 9, 2017
Kind of painful

Couldn't believe I finished it. I had to find out the who and the how. That was the only reason I finished. The characters and dialog was so dry. I just really didn't care about any of them. I'd pass on this.
Profile Image for Tabetha Waite.
Author 96 books812 followers
March 6, 2022
I recall reading this book years ago, and while it might have appealed to me then, my tastes in historical romances have changed. I find that the happy, glittering world of society is much preferable than some of the older titles. Not that it’s a bad story, it’s just not for me.
Profile Image for Michelle Quintana.
1,857 reviews7 followers
September 10, 2017
This book kept me guessing as to why Kathryn stood Drew up at the alter and after I got enough clues as to what happened, then I was trying to figure out who had done what they did to her. When Drew's father dies and leaves him in charge of taking care of all of mistresses and any children he might have had with them. When Drew shows up at his father's home, he is determines to throw out the mistress that is living on the grounds. When he finds out that it is his former fiancee, he is more determined than ever to throw her out. Even though the chemistry is still there between them, he feels like he has to punish her. However, the more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that his feelings for her never went away. When he finds out that she has his father's son, he really feels hurt but can't get over his feelings. When he finally reads all of his father's will, he finally discovers the truth about Kathryn's relationship with his father. When the truth comes out as to why Kathryn stood him up and what happened to her, my heart broke for her. The ending was very good and satisfying, I just wish there would have been an epilogue to let me know what happened in their future.
1,954 reviews9 followers
August 6, 2017
Andrew has just inherited his father's land and title and a mistress that lives in his family home. His father had many mistresses and he has left something for them all but when he finds out who lives at the house he is angry as he loved Wren so very much. And she now has a son by his father that is just too much to bear and it is time for her to go but his will won't allow that to happen from his grave.
So she is allowed to stay with his brother until she dies or leaves out of her free will but Wren will never do that she loves her son to much to leave him behind.
Kathryn still loves Drew but her life was shattered by a act so violent that she had to make other plans with her life and Drew's father helped her with open arms but they were never lovers and she knows that can't ever tell him the truth. Can she keep her secret and her heart safe again? Drew can't keep away from her and he will make her his mistress to keep with him but she won't allow that to happen. Either she is his wife or nothing, her heart just won't heal if she loses it to him again.
Drew is about to learn a lot of truths about Kathryn and he will either believe her or not? He needs to make a choice between the woman that he loves and the man that has been his best friend forever? Which one will he choose?
A great read.
Profile Image for Kindle Reads.
181 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2017
Great twists. Don't let the beginning premise deter you.

I passed over this book several times because of publishers description. However nothing is as it seems and it is a complex mystery

Kudos for the author's bravery in delivering an unconventional plot which at first appears to teeter on the unsavory. (Again, appearances are deceiving.)

My biggest disappointment was the sudden revelation of the villain. I would have liked a surreptitious hint at some point instead of a total surprise.

"Kathryn Stafford abandoned Drew at the altar six years before and vanished in a cloud of mystery. She had hoped her feelings for him would fade, but when she comes face-to-face with the gorgeous new marquess, she discovers they have only deepened. 

Drew is determined to keep his distance from the woman he believes to have been one of his father’s mistress. But every yearning glance and sizzling touch draws him closer to Kathryn…and to the scandalous secret that drove them apart. "

Didn't quite understand all the negative reviews about inaccuracies.
The storyline wasn't perfect and there were one or two glitches but some things labeled as inaccurate.... Well I wonder if the reviewers paid attention to details.

Overall I thought it was intriguing story.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,852 reviews63 followers
August 3, 2017
What a delightful and easy read this was! It does have many twists and turns so don't try to totally outguess the ending. And don't believe everything Kathryn says--she is hiding a BIG secret! She left Drew at the alter and never told him why. She ended up marrying a much older gentleman-then when he died went to live with Drew's Father. Now Drew's Father was notorious for all the mistresses he had--and recently had been swept overboard with one of them. He left a very specific will!! Imagine Drew's anger when he finds is ex living at his estate. Will these two ever get to the bottom of the truth, and find the love for each other that they once lost? What about Kip--Kathryn's son who is the spitting image of Drew when he was younger!!

You will be seeing more of Rebecca Hagan Lee's book on my blog--historical romance at it's best!
Once A Mistress
Profile Image for Erika Sobin.
162 reviews
July 28, 2017
Conflicted - 3 1/2 stars

I had a hard time with this book for the first half. Things like the son being handed down his father's mistress and him telling her that he would be bedding her within a fortnight, and also the mistress wondering if a man sucking on her breasts would give her the same pleasure that a baby would - ugh! I had a tough time getting past the gross factor of all that. That being said, I'm glad I stuck with it because there was a mystery to unravel that I really wanted to figure out.
Profile Image for Sarb.
10 reviews18 followers
November 22, 2019
This book was a convoluted mess.

The author threw so many Romancelandia tropes in I think she lost the will to live. Frankly, so did I.

Both leads were flat and boring and I didn't care whether they ended up together. Kid was annoying too.

Meh.
116 reviews
August 21, 2018
not the best book I've read, there were some mistakes and some things that I just didn't understand. Besides this the book took place during like, weeks, which I felt was unrealistic.
Profile Image for Karen Darling.
3,393 reviews24 followers
July 17, 2019
I hate rape in romance novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mudpie.
861 reviews8 followers
June 5, 2017
Love the book! This was a "what's the title?" book which plot attracted many ladies in my book club but the title was not determined until almost a year later!

I was thrilled to locate a decent copy on Thriftbooks.com and got hold of it a couple of days ago. Today in a couple of sittings I read the whole book. Simply could not put it down because I was dying to see how the plot unfolds. Things didn't add up and I felt for the hero...because a big question mark was why did his beloved fiancée ditch him at the altar and then resurfaced four years later with his father's illegitimate son and was known to all as his father's mistress?

I really do not want to reveal spoilers but I'm afraid many would not read this book because of the mistress-of-hero's -father ick factor. I knew I was grossed out at the thought but decided to go ahead to read this story. No regrets! If you want to know why no ick factor scroll below for one spoiler.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Kathryn/Wren was never his father's mistress. Simply watch the plot unfold and twists reveal. It's worth it.

I liked all the main characters very much; our couple Drew and Kathryn...despite their sudden and heartbreaking split years ago, quickly saw what they loved about each other and I was glad Drew was able to overcome his bitterness and loved Kathryn again. The sweetest moments were when they were both playful and teasing each other. Ally the governess, George the late marquess and Martin the lawyer were all very likeable. Even the butler was a great guy! Even the menagerie of animals were so adorable!

The evil ones are the rector (rectum), undertaker and the parents-and-son who shall not be named. I cannot believe a clergyman would blatantly solicit sexual favours! Yucks! Wish Drew would unleash the full extent if his connections to finish off the awful rector.

I wish the villain would suffer more...but in a way it's a fitting end for someone so vain and evil.

Spoiler!!!!

I wish Drew had compromised Kathryn and anticipated their wedding vows four years ago. I still feel sad they have lost these precious four years and all because of a vain man's petty and mean 'prank'! Argh.
Profile Image for Fateemah.
119 reviews40 followers
August 13, 2025
This book was hella crazy. (Don’t read it it’s not good).

I’m just gonna tell you what happens. This is all meant to be plot twists we find out at the end.


What’s her face Wren and the guy Drew (hella modern names btw) meet when they are normal young marriage age. Their moms are both dead and their dads are best friends. They fall in love. Decide to get married. Yay!

Two nights before the wedding, Drew’s best friend Julian rapes Wren in a carriage and leaves her absolutely wrecked. She possibly tries to kill herself and definitely does not show up to her own wedding. Drew is hella heartbroken, calls on her multiple times and then gives up and goes to the war.

Wren becomes pregnant from the rape and is taken into a marriage with a kindly super old friend of her father’s. They pretend the child is his, but the man and the child both die within the year. Drew’s dad shows up and gives Wren his own illegitimate child to call her own and takes her in as his fake mistress to “offer her protection”.

Thus she moves to his estate and raises his child, Kit. Her dad dies so it’s just her and Kit hanging out alone. 6 years after the broken wedding, Drew’s dad dies and he finds Wren at the estate. He has NO idea what has happened this whole time and is led to believe that his father and Wren slept together and had Kit.

Buddy flips back and forth between feeling deeply betrayed by Wren and loving her. Blah blah blah frolicking. Then they get together then the plot twists happen then they have a fight then happily ever after.

Like I said, weird plot. Strangely convoluted.
Profile Image for Kiana.
14 reviews
August 13, 2018
This is a good book deserve all the reviews it has.

This is a book that you want to keep reading I really enjoyed this book and want to read more by the author.

Kathryn had missed you wedding with Andrew (drew) who she has been in love with for a long time but she had to miss there wedding because of something terrible that happened to her.
This takes place six years after she had left drew standing at the alter in front of all his friends and family but he really was her fault because of what happened she was afraid to face drew. Kathryn didn't know if he would believe her or not so she kept it to herself.

Drew never knew why she left him at the alter and messed up there plans to be together but once his father dies he finally gets to see the woman who loved once again only to think that she is his late father misstress. And once he realizes that she had baby with his father George he his beyond hurt because he wanted the child to be his. But it isn't what you think he wasn't really mad that she had baby with her because he had loved her.
This is a book I would happy recommend.
89 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2025
I skipped my way through this one, it was just so incredibly far fetched and weird I couldn't take it. WHY on EARTH would you pile lies MORE hurtful than the truth on a person to "protect" them? What nonsense. To "protect" her fiancee from knowing his best friend raped her she lies and says her child (who isn't really her child) is his FATHER'S? What?? This is the weirdest crap I've ever read. The story is so convoluted and strange. I was not at all surprised he didn't believe her when she finally tells the truth, who would believe a woman who was pretending to be your father's mistress? That's certifiably insane behavior. That others knew the truth and also backed this plan is likewise bananas. Like his dad; what the heck kind of father thinks, "I know, I'll pretend my bastard son is the love child of me and my son's ex-fiancee. I'll pretend I was boinking the love of my son's life so then he'll HAVE to provide for her." WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I want to write a dissertation about why this book doesn't make any sense.
994 reviews10 followers
October 28, 2017
HEARTWARMING & PAGE TURNING

The love that was interrupted here was obviously a deep and full of desire kind that grows in intensity. Feeling the desire that Drew still has for Wren, after all the years have passed and not to mention she left him at the altar, yes! She never showed up!! Wren, living on Drew's father's estate and is known to people as his father's mistress and mother of a child, Drew's little brother! Yes, this intriguing tale just seems to twist and twist! Here is the key, can Drew be patient and then actually believe all the truth that there really is? Can Wren's love be enough to give her the courage to tell him what happened that caused them to miss out on years of happiness and togetherness? Will he believe the final truths when confronted face to face with it? I think in this heartwarming story with some juicy hot scenes, and love and desire a man can't shake for a Lady that left him at the altar.
Oh, you have to read this one.
Profile Image for Jackie.
3,957 reviews128 followers
December 23, 2017
What I took to heart from this story was the absolute love of a mother for her child that Kathryn Wren displayed for Kit.

When all was said and done at the end of the day after the many secrets were revealed and all the tears were shed this one fact still held true, love is very powerful and it can last much longer than anger or a sense of betrayal. A fact that was proven to Drew's satisfaction when he finally discovered the truth and most importantly accepted it.

A nice easy story to read, despite a few not so easy to swallow facts this second chance historical romance was enjoyable for me as I hoped it would be since the author was unknown prior to this book.
Profile Image for Latte.
449 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up

All sorts of twists and turns here that don't fully reveal the story unless you read through to the end. Bits were a bit tedious but a decent read overall.

And yes, the description listed is not for this particular book. Kathryn Stafford and Drew Ramsey are the main characters here, separated for 6 years and reunited upon the death of Drew's father, the 15th Earl of Templeston, a famed womanizer.
Profile Image for Laura J..
424 reviews9 followers
December 22, 2017
I really wanted to like this

Upon Drew’s father’s death, he learns he has an illegitimate half brother and the boy’s mother is the woman who jilted him 6 years ago. There were secrets within secrets, interesting characters and a hero and heroine worth rooting for.

However, there were also typos and modern language. And I was confused about some of the characters’ logic and Kit’s status as heir presumptive.
Profile Image for Sharon Eikenberry-Deary.
732 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2018
Secrets to hold which can hurt so many

Death so many for 2 people can handle. Secrets which have been kept for 6 yrs. Mistresses and not mistresses and maybe children. Anger and hurt and the lies to find a friends true colors which a friend saved as well as paying to keep alive. Until you find his friendship is a lie and the rape of your fiancee days before she is to be married. A mistrusted friend ruined many lives due to the viscous act and you laugh
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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