Lady of Spirit

by Edith Layton

Alone and penniless in London, Victoria Dawkins becomes the paid companion of an elderly woman on the Earl of Clune's estate and becomes the object of adoration for the young earl. Reissue.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency

270 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 7, 1986

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

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining tale with a little ghostly interference. I did get annoyed at the notion that a person would rather starve to death rather than accept any other accommodation, but it became quite an amusing tale for all that. Colin Haverford is a very likeable hero & his mother is a treat, too.

[gottalottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did really like this but it was so…verbose, that it felt like such a slog to read. I kept thinking, “just out with it already!” It was clever and I did like the romantic moments, though.

[Shanze · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good story, but I’ve read better books from Edith Layton.

The Earl’s character wasn’t as robust as I would have liked, but the children were absolutely charming!!

3.5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's an air of Dickens in this book; Victoria Dawkins loses her governess post through no fault of her own (but the thoughtlessness of a young nobleman) and quickly descends into poverty. She is aided by a motley group of youngsters. The earl of the young nobleman's family finds about the miscarriage of justice and tries to balance the scales, in order to help the young lady.

This book hits all the right notes - the plot is original, the characters seem ever so human, and the plot twists keep the reader on their toes. Overall score = 4.5 stars.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Others who are bigger fans of this author's style may appreciate her choices. I found the heroine lacked something important. She kinda waits for her reward for good behavior to come to her, as though that in itself is worthy. There was a side plot with Ms Comfort which was annoying. I did like the kids, but they weren't integral to the plot. It just didn't all come together for me.

[Elaine Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing plot

I can't say that I enjoyed all of the narrative in the story, but it was a wonderful romance that ended happily. In all, I was delighted with it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is much more delightful than the description on the back (or the description on Goodreads). The characters are refreshing.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly gothic, with a Dickensian flavor. Densely written, not a book to gobble up in a single day.

I cried in the end, as I would for an Austen ending. This book is a keeper.

[Elen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started real great.. and then went downhill. The ending was somewhat poignant and touching, but the whole story after they removed from London to the hall was, well, insipid, I flipped through the pages. It was my second read anyway, I wasn't missing much. It's surprising how the whole story degenerated, it's almost like two different authors wrote it. It was so witty, every sentences leaping off the page to portray the bustle of london slum and the fair (both in looks and morality) miss dawkins. It's hard not to like her when she thinks and acts just like us in real life - how she responds to events is not a stereotyped, one-dimensional, almost knee-jerk reaction to given input. how many authors, when given a situation a poor but dignified heroine is offered a banknote, shows that it's her vanity to be an equal in handsome earl's eyes rather that an honorable character refusing such monetary gains? That her hasty escape when first encountering two lords was not from a displeasure of associating with one who ruined her but from her guilt of being caught in flagrante delicto? That's the reason I fell in love with the book just in two chapters, and although the second half is beyond disappointing, I have to give it solid four stars. As for the disappointing part.. everything. Dialogues between Cole and Victoria convinced me they are match made in heaven if they find such uninspiring chat to be so amusing. There's no chemistry. none. nada. zilch. I swooned along with Cole when he fell in love(or lust) at first sight; then I was begging them to just stop this self imposed agony and get on with it. The writing was dull, sparkless. The only redeemable feature was Miss Comfort - Cole's cavalier treatment of her was galling so I hoped he would be proven wrong, I was so glad that Layton gave dimensions to her.

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far enjoying this a lot, but very struck by the similarity with another by her, I think - innocent young woman trying to defend her innocence albeit living on the edge, hurt (in this case ill) and taken in to the nobleman's household, along with children she is taking care of...Was it Surrender to Love or the Disguise of Love or one of those I'm thinking of?
At anyrate Layton's writing is wonderful, so even if the plot is not brand new, it's still a terrific read.
UPDATE
After this very similar beginning the book does take a different trail. I certainly enjoy Layton's way with words and her characters are delightful, even the horrid ones are delightfully dreadful! Glad I was able to mooch this - I think it's the first Layton I actually own, although I've read quite a few.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heroine was very boring. I also wasn't expecting it to be so old fashioned and gothic, Edith Layton does span a few different styles and I like her newer stuff much better.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that I really like her books!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts off with some snappy scenes, but meanders and bogs down with randomness about halfway through and never quite recovers.

[Frank Matela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful read

I love this book and this author. She paints pictures with her words that are fabulous. I have read and reread all of her book for years.