The Abandoned Bride

This is a dated HR which, despite Layton’s writing skills being far superior to that of most contemporary HR authors, suffers in what is now deemed acceptable behaviour in a Historical Romance hero.

Strikingly beautiful young Julia Hastings had been an inexperienced innocent (and her parents too impressed by youth, looks, wealth and a title) when handsome, high-born Robin Marlowe induced her to elope with him -- only to abandon her without a word of explanation on their wedding night. When Robin disappears a shattered Julia is dropped back at her parents’ home by one of his friends. Julia is left with her virtue intact but her reputation in tatters. Her loving parents and family are supportive, but her presence in their home makes their lives difficult. Julia moves away to earn her own living. Over the next few years her life becomes a struggle to defend herself against men who consider her easy prey and then a shallow employer who becomes jealous when her toddler shows a preference for Julia’s company. By now, Julia knows better than to trust any man, and yet she is stunned when Robin’s uncle, Lord Nicholas Daventry, tracks her down and insists that she has acted treacherously towards his nephew. Nicholas then treats Julia abominably, forcing her to travel with him to Paris (as he searches for Robin in the aftermath of Napoleon’s defeat). He never shows Julia any kindness or respect - in fact, he even insults her by grudgingly offering to set her up as his mistress, on the understanding that he can’t stop himself from lusting after her and she deserves no better because of her “past”. Yes, he is a total pig. So it’s somewhat amazing that Layton pulls together a purported HEA for this couple. But she does.