What do you think?
Rate this book
The Masquerade Club #3
A Lady of Notoriety
DESIRED FOR HERSELF ALONE…
When fallen beauty Daphne, Lady Faville, is carried to safety from a rampaging fire, she's horrified to recognize her rescuer as Hugh Westleigh—a man with every reason to despise her!
But Hugh has been blinded and Daphne must nurse him back to health. Unable to see, he is driven to distraction by her tantalizing scent and gentle touch.
For the first time, Daphne feels truly desired for herself alone. But when Hugh finally regains his sight, will she find forgiveness in his arms?
When fallen beauty Daphne, Lady Faville, is carried to safety from a rampaging fire, she's horrified to recognize her rescuer as Hugh Westleigh—a man with every reason to despise her!
But Hugh has been blinded and Daphne must nurse him back to health. Unable to see, he is driven to distraction by her tantalizing scent and gentle touch.
For the first time, Daphne feels truly desired for herself alone. But when Hugh finally regains his sight, will she find forgiveness in his arms?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
11 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Diane Gaston
175 books127 followersDiane Gaston’s dream job had always been to write romance novels. One day she decided to pursue that dream and has never looked back; she is now writing full-time. Her books have won Romance’s highest honour—the RITA Award, the National Readers Choice Award and the Golden Heart. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three very ordinary house cats. Diane loves to hear from readers and friends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 2, 2015
Good book, with a theme of redemption for the heroine. Daphne is the "other woman" from the previous book in the series, A Marriage of Notoriety. At the time she was a beautiful but selfish widow, who was pursuing Xavier simply because he was good looking and she thought they would look good together. After setting the Masquerade Club on fire, she left England and went to Switzerland. There she spent time at an abbey, learning to be a better person. On her return to England she was caught in a fire at an inn and rescued by none other than Hugh Westleigh, brother of the woman she wronged. Hugh is injured in the fire, concussed and blinded, and Daphne feels responsible for nursing him back to health.
Because she knows he would hate her if he knew who she was, Daphne gives him a false name. At first she tries to keep her distance from him, but she's really the only one who can spend time with him while he is recovering. The more time they spend together, the more she likes him and finds things that they have in common. There is also a strong attraction between them that Daphne tries to resist because of the guilty feelings over the harm she caused his family. But there is also the happiness that she feels over being desired for something other than her beauty, which goes a long way toward healing her spirit. She knows that she's living on borrowed time with him, because as soon as he knows who she is it will be over.
I liked Hugh. He is the second son in the Westleigh family and the one who has been stuck as the family "gofer". He really wants a chance to travel and do things he's not done before. Now that his father is dead and the Masquerade Club is helping to repair the family fortunes, he finally feels free to live his own life. Then he gets caught in the inn fire. Hugh's injuries are severe and have him very worried that he will never regain his sight. The only thing keeping him sane is the presence of Daphne, who keeps him distracted from his worries. He senses that she is hiding something from him, but hasn't been able to get her to reveal it. In spite of his fears of the future, his feelings for Daphne keep growing. He's looking forward to finding out if his sight will return so that he can see her and maybe pursue a future with her.
Daphne flees before Hugh finds out about his sight because she can't stand the thought of facing his hatred. Hugh returns to London and gets stuck once again doing his family's bidding, this time running the club. When they encounter each other, Hugh is indeed very angry over her deception, but discovers that his feelings for her haven't changed. Daphne is still trying to live her new life, but it seems that no matter what she does, people still believe the worst of her. I loved seeing the way that, even through his anger, Hugh still sees the good in Daphne and defends her to his own family, who are not in a forgiving mood. I enjoyed the ending and thought that it was realistically done.
Because she knows he would hate her if he knew who she was, Daphne gives him a false name. At first she tries to keep her distance from him, but she's really the only one who can spend time with him while he is recovering. The more time they spend together, the more she likes him and finds things that they have in common. There is also a strong attraction between them that Daphne tries to resist because of the guilty feelings over the harm she caused his family. But there is also the happiness that she feels over being desired for something other than her beauty, which goes a long way toward healing her spirit. She knows that she's living on borrowed time with him, because as soon as he knows who she is it will be over.
I liked Hugh. He is the second son in the Westleigh family and the one who has been stuck as the family "gofer". He really wants a chance to travel and do things he's not done before. Now that his father is dead and the Masquerade Club is helping to repair the family fortunes, he finally feels free to live his own life. Then he gets caught in the inn fire. Hugh's injuries are severe and have him very worried that he will never regain his sight. The only thing keeping him sane is the presence of Daphne, who keeps him distracted from his worries. He senses that she is hiding something from him, but hasn't been able to get her to reveal it. In spite of his fears of the future, his feelings for Daphne keep growing. He's looking forward to finding out if his sight will return so that he can see her and maybe pursue a future with her.
Daphne flees before Hugh finds out about his sight because she can't stand the thought of facing his hatred. Hugh returns to London and gets stuck once again doing his family's bidding, this time running the club. When they encounter each other, Hugh is indeed very angry over her deception, but discovers that his feelings for her haven't changed. Daphne is still trying to live her new life, but it seems that no matter what she does, people still believe the worst of her. I loved seeing the way that, even through his anger, Hugh still sees the good in Daphne and defends her to his own family, who are not in a forgiving mood. I enjoyed the ending and thought that it was realistically done.
February 23, 2016
Este es el segundo libro que leo de Diane Gaston e iba con las expectativas altas después de Unidos por el escándalo.
Esta es una novela no muy larga y que yo empecé a leer sin saber que pertenecía a una serie ni que era, creo, el último libro. Los personajes ya arrastran cierta historia de las otras entregas, sobre todo la protagonista, pero es fácil gracias a toda la información que da la autora no perderse y enterarse de lo que ha pasado.
La novela no me ha gustado tanto como la otra que mencioné, pero está muy bien y es que a pesar de tener una trama sencilla Gaston sabe hacer que nos creamos a los personajes y que lo que pasa entre ellos baste para rellenar la historia.
En general ha sido una historia bonita y que merece la pena leer, que a pesar de su sencillez destaca por saber trabajar bien ciertos aspectos de la historia. Es posible que en el futuro busque las otras entregas de esta serie, aunque no serán muy emocionantes porque en esta entrega se nos spoilea casi todo...
Esta es una novela no muy larga y que yo empecé a leer sin saber que pertenecía a una serie ni que era, creo, el último libro. Los personajes ya arrastran cierta historia de las otras entregas, sobre todo la protagonista, pero es fácil gracias a toda la información que da la autora no perderse y enterarse de lo que ha pasado.
La novela no me ha gustado tanto como la otra que mencioné, pero está muy bien y es que a pesar de tener una trama sencilla Gaston sabe hacer que nos creamos a los personajes y que lo que pasa entre ellos baste para rellenar la historia.
En general ha sido una historia bonita y que merece la pena leer, que a pesar de su sencillez destaca por saber trabajar bien ciertos aspectos de la historia. Es posible que en el futuro busque las otras entregas de esta serie, aunque no serán muy emocionantes porque en esta entrega se nos spoilea casi todo...
August 27, 2016
I received A Lady of Notoriety as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Daphne, Lady Faville, is rescued from a burning inn by Hugh Westleigh, the brother of the woman Daphne wronged in an attempt to seduce the woman's husband. Since her failure, Daphne has turned over a new leaf after a reprieve on the Continent. She nurses Hugh, concussed and temporarily blinded, back to health, all the time lying about her identity. Over the course of a couple short weeks, Hugh and "Mrs. Asher" fall deeply in love. However, while Hugh eventually regains his sight and his health, Daphne's story begins to unravel, her identity is revealed, and Hugh must reconcile the woman he thought her knew (and loved) with the image of the cool temptress who nearly ruined his beloved sister's happiness.
It's not often I give a romance novel more than three stars, but I loved this one. I have a soft spot for stories in which the "villain" from a previous novel becomes the hero(ine). For being a relatively short read, the chemistry Gaston develops between her leads is impressive. Neither is perfect, and his family's understandable horror at Hugh's choice of liason doesn't entirely fade, even in the epilogue. It's much more realistic than many romances I've read in that the characters have real issues to overcome and even the final outcome is not entirely sunshine and roses. There are some quibbles--for instance, the almost-certainly-Protestant Daphne taking refuge in a Catholic abbey and Daphne's transformation seems almost *too* complete (you'd think the vain selfishness that dominated her personality for 30 years would rear its head every once in a while--but for the most part, these are minor. Really enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it for people looking for a slightly more nuanced romance novel.
Daphne, Lady Faville, is rescued from a burning inn by Hugh Westleigh, the brother of the woman Daphne wronged in an attempt to seduce the woman's husband. Since her failure, Daphne has turned over a new leaf after a reprieve on the Continent. She nurses Hugh, concussed and temporarily blinded, back to health, all the time lying about her identity. Over the course of a couple short weeks, Hugh and "Mrs. Asher" fall deeply in love. However, while Hugh eventually regains his sight and his health, Daphne's story begins to unravel, her identity is revealed, and Hugh must reconcile the woman he thought her knew (and loved) with the image of the cool temptress who nearly ruined his beloved sister's happiness.
It's not often I give a romance novel more than three stars, but I loved this one. I have a soft spot for stories in which the "villain" from a previous novel becomes the hero(ine). For being a relatively short read, the chemistry Gaston develops between her leads is impressive. Neither is perfect, and his family's understandable horror at Hugh's choice of liason doesn't entirely fade, even in the epilogue. It's much more realistic than many romances I've read in that the characters have real issues to overcome and even the final outcome is not entirely sunshine and roses. There are some quibbles--for instance, the almost-certainly-Protestant Daphne taking refuge in a Catholic abbey and Daphne's transformation seems almost *too* complete (you'd think the vain selfishness that dominated her personality for 30 years would rear its head every once in a while--but for the most part, these are minor. Really enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it for people looking for a slightly more nuanced romance novel.
August 25, 2014
Lady Faville has made some bad choices and exhibited bad behavior in the past, but that is all behind her as she returns to England from the Swiss convent where she’s spent the last several years. When she’s rescued from a fire by Hugh Westleigh, she’s terrified he’ll realize she’s the notorious Lady Faville, who almost burned his family’s gaming establishment down, among other things. When she realizes Hugh has been temporarily blinded, Daphne feels she must care for him until she can make other arrangements, and decides to go by Mrs. Asher to make the situation easier. Of course, one little lie always leads to more, and although they both begin to care for one another, her deception will be hard to explain once Hugh gets his sight back and sees who she really is. There were plenty of misunderstandings, since no one believes she’s changed, and it was interesting to see how that all played out. I enjoyed Daphne and Hugh’s story, and it was refreshing to see a widow with a bit of experience and a second son with no title as the main characters. I felt sorry for poor Daphne, who is trying to turn over a new leaf. It seems that no matter how hard she tries to help people, she gets sucked back into some of the behavior she’s been trying to avoid, all in an attempt to avoid making Hugh uncomfortable accepting help from someone his family despises. It’s always fun to see how it all turns out and I enjoyed the way everything was wrapped up in the end.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Read
August 2, 2014Miniseries: The Masquerade Club
June 20, 2020
Siempre hay algo sencillo en los libros de Harlequín, son pequeñas historias que a veces te sorprenden por su calidad. Por desgracia este tipo no es el caso. Primero comentar que no me acuerdo de si leí en libro anterior, pero al parecer es un poco necesario haberlo hecho porque todo lo que sucede entre los protagonistas tienen su punto central en la mala actitud de la protagonista en el pasado. Para reflexionar sobre su vida se va al campo suizo, con las monjas, a meditar entre las cabras y el aire libre como Julie Andrews en Sonrisas y lágrimas y después de dos años vuelve. Se envuelta en un incendio, es rescatada, el rescatador termina herido y para complicar la cosa es hermano de la mujer a la que intentó arruinar la vida. Pero ahora que ella es una mujer diferente, y reboza bondad por todos los poros y decide cuidar al héroe mientras se recupera. Luego tenemos bla, bla, bla... no voy a destrozar el libro pero decir que hay una primera parte y una segunda parte, la primera es tierna, sencilla sin grandes complicaciones, la segunda se revuelve sobre si misma, con líos, equivocaciones, gente dando su opinión sin parar, héroes que no perdona... vamos como un pequeño drama televisivo. Creo que la gran diferencia entre ambas hace que el libro no esté equilibrado pero creo que personalmente esa no es la peor parte, que ella sea ahora tan buena le quita algo de gracia, pero es que ha perdido hasta las garras para luchar por lo que quiere. Con respecto a él es el típico héroe de la época, todo orgullo y autosuficiencia. Como pareja no están mal, podría haber sido peor.
En general no es un mal libro, se lee en una tarde pero tampoco es un buen libro. En fin que se queda con un casi suspenso y todo por ser demasiado edulcorado, con una protagonista con más mala leche la trama hubiera mejorado muchísimo.
En general no es un mal libro, se lee en una tarde pero tampoco es un buen libro. En fin que se queda con un casi suspenso y todo por ser demasiado edulcorado, con una protagonista con más mala leche la trama hubiera mejorado muchísimo.
February 23, 2019
La verdad es que no fue lo que esperaba...
Luego de haber leído los libros anteriores de Harlequin, no pensé que este valiera la pena, pero ush, que equivocada estaba.
Me atrapó desde el primer momento. La ambientación, los personajes, la forma de escritura, todo me encantó. En definitiva si sería algo que recomendaría (obviamente si es del género que te gusta).
Debo destaca que Hugh me enamoró, a pesar de que habían partes en las que me desesperaba, en todas las demás (que fueron muchas más) lo amé. Dafne en definitivva es mi personaje favorito por rl gran crecimiento que muestra conforme avanza el libro. No le doy las 5 estrellas porque hubieron partes que no las encontraba razonables, peeero si que me gustó (principalemente esos momentos HOOTT!!!, o sea, ush).
Luego de haber leído los libros anteriores de Harlequin, no pensé que este valiera la pena, pero ush, que equivocada estaba.
Me atrapó desde el primer momento. La ambientación, los personajes, la forma de escritura, todo me encantó. En definitiva si sería algo que recomendaría (obviamente si es del género que te gusta).
Debo destaca que Hugh me enamoró, a pesar de que habían partes en las que me desesperaba, en todas las demás (que fueron muchas más) lo amé. Dafne en definitivva es mi personaje favorito por rl gran crecimiento que muestra conforme avanza el libro. No le doy las 5 estrellas porque hubieron partes que no las encontraba razonables, peeero si que me gustó (principalemente esos momentos HOOTT!!!, o sea, ush).
April 30, 2019
Immediately before this book, I started another one I had to "frog," as knitters would say -- i.e., abandon. The difference was all in the telling. How Gabon does it, I can't say, but a works if difference exists between this story and the one I gave up on.
Though not the wittiest writer I've read, Gabon has a knack for creating very empathic characters. This book has a particularly strong narrative arc in its exploration of forgiveness, growth and redemption. I also appreciated that the story didn't seem as focused on reader titillation as other books.
Lastly, I can't fault her pacing and plotting. The story kept me engaged the whole way through.
Though not the wittiest writer I've read, Gabon has a knack for creating very empathic characters. This book has a particularly strong narrative arc in its exploration of forgiveness, growth and redemption. I also appreciated that the story didn't seem as focused on reader titillation as other books.
Lastly, I can't fault her pacing and plotting. The story kept me engaged the whole way through.
August 11, 2021
FORGIVENESS
Daphne, Lady Faville, has returned from Switzerland in remorse and regret. Saved by Hugh Westleigh from a fire at the inn, he's blinded by a serious blow to the head. Daphne sees taking care of Hugh as a penitence for the hurt she caused his family. Never giving Hugh her real name, she falls in love. She does not expect forgiveness when he is able to see again and recognizes her as the woman who tried to destroy his family. With his family trying to pull him away from her, he decides to trust his heart. An emotional romance that you're not sure how it's going to end.
Daphne, Lady Faville, has returned from Switzerland in remorse and regret. Saved by Hugh Westleigh from a fire at the inn, he's blinded by a serious blow to the head. Daphne sees taking care of Hugh as a penitence for the hurt she caused his family. Never giving Hugh her real name, she falls in love. She does not expect forgiveness when he is able to see again and recognizes her as the woman who tried to destroy his family. With his family trying to pull him away from her, he decides to trust his heart. An emotional romance that you're not sure how it's going to end.
March 26, 2017
"Adesso la vedeva. I suoi occhi erano aperti, in tutti i sensi. La amava, nonostante quello che lei aveva fatto ed era stata in passato. Si erano incontrati nel bel mezzo di un incendio. Voleva che un incendio li fondesse insieme per sempre. Non voleva più perderla. Daphne era la risposta al suo desiderio di avventura. Con lei, ogni momento era un’avventura."
Probabilmente iniziare dal terzo e ultimo della serie non è stata un idea vincente, ma il vantaggio è che se avessi iniziato dal primo ho la netta impressione che Daphne mi sarebbe stata ancor più antipatica (se possibile XD) Pur non avendo letto i precedenti sono riuscita comunque a captare abbastanza accenni nella storia da capire l'intento dell'autrice: redimere la "cattiva" dei precedenti libri elevandola a eroina pentita e cambiata. Purtroppo il tentativo per me è riuscito solo parzialmente e la storia tra i due mi è parsa più dettata dalla lussuria che altro....non è certo d'aiuto l'incomodo fantasma del povero marito di lei e la sua vecchia ossessione che guarda caso è nella famiglia di lui...ora mo chiedo se valga la pena recuperare i successivi XD
Probabilmente iniziare dal terzo e ultimo della serie non è stata un idea vincente, ma il vantaggio è che se avessi iniziato dal primo ho la netta impressione che Daphne mi sarebbe stata ancor più antipatica (se possibile XD) Pur non avendo letto i precedenti sono riuscita comunque a captare abbastanza accenni nella storia da capire l'intento dell'autrice: redimere la "cattiva" dei precedenti libri elevandola a eroina pentita e cambiata. Purtroppo il tentativo per me è riuscito solo parzialmente e la storia tra i due mi è parsa più dettata dalla lussuria che altro....non è certo d'aiuto l'incomodo fantasma del povero marito di lei e la sua vecchia ossessione che guarda caso è nella famiglia di lui...ora mo chiedo se valga la pena recuperare i successivi XD
March 21, 2024
The premise of the story was interesting, but that’s probably where the positives end. On paper, characters were developed, but they felt forced, and I didn’t feel a strong connection with either of them. The style of writing was also quite stilted. I was vaguely interested in where the story would go, but definitely felt that the story was bland and didn’t do justice to its premise.
July 31, 2025
Encantadora
Lei esta novela hace muchos años y no había tenido oportunidad de hacer una reseña simplemente encantadora la mejor de la saga amo esta autora leí casi toditas sus novelas históricas y de esta saga esta dama especial es mi preferida espero que hayas seguido escribiendo y que pueda conseguir todos tus libros en esta plataforma ♥️
Lei esta novela hace muchos años y no había tenido oportunidad de hacer una reseña simplemente encantadora la mejor de la saga amo esta autora leí casi toditas sus novelas históricas y de esta saga esta dama especial es mi preferida espero que hayas seguido escribiendo y que pueda conseguir todos tus libros en esta plataforma ♥️
February 19, 2024
Una noia colossale. Personaggi piatti, psicologia trattata superficialmente. Protagonista quasi insopportabile, colpita dalla croce di essere bellissima.
Il club praticamente si vede solo in cinque pagine.
Il club praticamente si vede solo in cinque pagine.
August 17, 2019
Me atrapo no deje de leerlo, me gusto mucho
November 13, 2014
Lovely romance involving redemption (Daphne's) and a hero (Hugh) falling in love with the one person who once did great damage to his family. Daphne's pain and shame over her past behavior was easy to see, which made her very human to me. Her reasons for hiding her true identity were valid considering hers was a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation. I ached for her during the painful encounters with Hugh's family. There was much to like about Hugh as he coped with his temporary blindness and his reaction to Daphne's betrayal was understandable. Hugh's suspicions led to several misunderstandings, each creating extensive hurt for Daphne, which she accepted as just punishment. I was very happy to see that this heroine got her HEA. 4 stars.
June 29, 2015
This was a really enjoyable Regency romance. Even though it is book 3 in a series I was still able to follow it. The book is about a beautiful 32 year old widow, Daphne "Lady Faville" and the gentleman she falls in love with, Hugh Westleigh. Westleigh, of course, is a handsome 33 year old from a scandalous London family. They meet as Westleigh saves Daphne from a fire. Westleigh's eyes are damaged by the flames and suddenly Daphne becomes his caretaker. There is some past history between Lady Faville and the Westleigh Family which causes all kinds of drama that is wrapped up in 283 pages. Or if not wrapped up at least or hero and heroine are happily together at the end.
July 16, 2014
Wow! What a start to a great book. I loved the reversal of the damsel in distress. It was great reading about how Hugh has to deal with his sudden blindness and his thought process to go along with it. This book kept me intrigued and reading it till I was done. Great job!
Read
January 12, 2016"Gaston ends her Masquerade Club trilogy with an endearing romance about loyalty, betrayal and redemption. This novel stands alone with its authentic setting and dialogue and continuous action" (RT Book Reviews). 4 stars
Miniseries: The Masquerade Club
Miniseries: The Masquerade Club
November 24, 2014
This is a wonderful romance about redemption and the healing ability of love. I loved all Diane Gaston's books in her Masquerade Club Series. I especially enjoyed how Daphne came to care more and more for Hugh as she nurses him through his blindness. A great read.
June 21, 2015
I wasn't sure I wanted to read Hugh and Daphne's story knowing what I did of Daphne's past actions in the previous book. I didn't see how Diane Gaston could possibly redeem her. But, redeem her she did. It was very well done, and in the end I completely fell in love with Hugh and Daphne.
September 26, 2014
Truly enjoyed this one, it has everything I look for in a good romance.
April 15, 2015
Me encanto este libro, siempre me gusta cuando una que es mala se reinvindica.
Me encanto Dafne y Hugh, y toda la historia.
Me encanto Dafne y Hugh, y toda la historia.
April 22, 2016
ah this book was interesting, even though I did not read the ones previous to this one, I was still able to enjoy this book.
January 17, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.
August 31, 2015
Pleasure to read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews