Capturing the Earl's Love

Marlow Intrigues #2.5

by Jane Lark

From Kindle bestselling Historical romance author, Jane Lark, comes a brand new FREE novella to accompany her breathtaking Marlow Intrigues series.

This novella tells the story of secondary characters from The Illicit Love of a Courtesan...

Rupert Stanforth, Earl of Morton, is exasperated by his sister's choice of friend. Meredith Divine clings, using Rowena's plain appearance as a foil for her auburn curls and fuller figure. He would break the friendship, but the more he complains, the more time the girls spend together. Ceasing his disagreement, he hopes the friendship will die, believing Meredith will take a wrong step soon...

Meredith clings to her only friend, Lady Rowena Stanforth, despite the disgusted looks thrown by Rowena's proud, judgmental brother. Lord Morton cannot abide Meredith because of her low standing, but Meredith's heart favours him . . . then in his single act of kindness, Meredith grasps an opportunity she cannot resist...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Novella, Regency, Regency Romance, Ebooks

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2013

About the author

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance, and a Kindle top 25 bestselling author.

She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write.

Now Jane is writing a Regency series and contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others' imaginations at last.

You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality.

Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots.

'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.'

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

Reviews

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last year I read and loved Jane Lark’s The Illicit Love of a Courtesan but this novella just didn’t work for me. It lacked strong character development and a believable romance.

My Thoughts

I believe the story would have benefited from being a full-length novel. Rupert and Meredith had the potential to be such interesting and complex characters but, within the confines of this novella, they lacked the necessary in-depth characterisation and seemed very one-dimensional. So I found it difficult to relate to them and understand their thoughts and actions.

Rupert came across as a stuffy, pompous snob and I disliked how he judged Meredith to be a scheming opportunist simply because her father was in trade.

He wished nothing to do with the little schemer. Her father was in some sort of trade. Rupert had not even wished Rowena to befriend Miss Divine , let alone become so thick with her.

Even his final change of heart seemed to be based more on the fact that Meredith was “a delicious, sultry hoyden” in bed on their wedding night (hard to believe when she is a virgin!) rather than his truly falling in love with her.

Why did it have to be him her heart favoured?

I asked myself that same question. I couldn’t understand what attracted Meredith to a man whose every look conveyed dislike, disgust and suspicion. It made her seem weak. I did have some sympathy for her because of her unhappy childhood and lack of fatherly love. She was only tolerated by the ton because several of them were in business with her father and I understood why her friendship with Rupert’s sister, Rowena, was so important to her.

I never felt any real chemistry or deep emotional connection between Rupert and Meredith. Their falling in love wasn’t very believable, especially as there was no gradual build up…it seemed to happen too suddenly.

Thank goodness for Rupert’s cousin, Edward (hero of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan ), who opened Rupert’s eyes to the fact that not everything can be viewed in simple black or white and there is a vast spectrum in between.

This one disappointment certainly isn’t going to deter me from reading the other books in this series because I know that Jane Lark can write romances that are passionate, intense and engrossing.

REVIEW RATING: 3/5 STARS

Marlow Intrigues series:

- 23 July 2015

This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rupert Stanford, the Earl of Morton, is doing his best to make sure he'll find a good match for his sister Rowena. He doesn't want her to be unhappy. His parents didn't have a good relationship and he wants something better for his sister. Unfortunately Rowena has made a friend with a girl whose social status he doesn't approve of. He's sure Meredith Divine befriended his sister to make herself look better. Rupert's theory is that by outshining Rowena her own beauty will be noticed. He loathes the girl and doesn't even want to look at her, which is quite unfortunate as Meredith likes him a lot...

Rupert is Edward's cousin and best friend. Edward is one of the main characters of The Illicit Love of a Courtesan. It's advisable to read that book first before starting this novella, but it can also be read as a standalone. I enjoyed reading this story very much, it's a wonderful light read. Even though Meredith is seen as unworthy by a lot of people of society Rowena likes her and has chosen to be friends with her. Rupert is very protective of his sister and he hates Meredith without knowing her and he makes assumptions that aren't true at all. The question is of course why he does that and what happens when he starts to actually look at her. Rupert is stiff, confident and he lives by the rules while Meredith is impulsive and cheerful. She's also a bit nervous from time to time, which I could totally imagine. I think Jane Lark has written a fantastic highly entertaining, romantic novella.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Proof that insta-love doesn't just happen in YA! The male protagonist, Lord Rupert Morton was a Mr . Darcy type(wary of young women looking to marry wealthy and titled men, devoted to sister, aware of traditional rules etc). Of course, Morton holds disdain for the young Meredith Divine (where do these names come from?), a woman that he sees as just hanging off his sister's arm to raise her prospects. The story is very predictable and ultimately the opposites attract(after a hasty marriage and a few rolls in the hay). Just not my cup of tea!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella what surely gives a taste of the writting of this author.

"The book swings from truly swoon-worthy, tense and heart wreching, erotic and erverything els in between."

BestChicklit.com

[Elizabeth Bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a powerful read for it's length IMO. Lord Rupert Stanford, Earl of Morton loves his sister and wants her to find the happiness that their cousin Edward has found. That is why he has brought Edwards wife Ellen to help her find her match. He does not approve of her present companion and friend, Meredith Divine. She is beautiful and outshines his sister with her auburn hair but her voice is too high pitched and what she does and says has purpose behind it. She is plotting he is sure of it. To say Rupert is a cynic is putting it mildly, no one will ever accuse him of wearing rose colored glasses that's for sure.

Meredith had the biggest effect on me. It just tore so strongly at my heart the emptiness in this girls life. All she wanted was love and yet in her world Rowen is the only one who held any promise. The cold shoulder she received from first her father, the ton and eventually her husband and best friend was just awful. When he made her sit at the end of the table while he and Rowen sat at the other end talking I actually teared up for the poor thing. I really liked her because she didn't dwell on it but you could feel her pain.

The time the author spent in slowly developing their emotions is greatly appreciated. You feel the charge between the two as Rupert has no choice but to admit he will never be the same again. If I had one complaint it would be I would have liked an explanation as to how the h knew so much about bed sport. It was touched on but never explained. A must read for any historical romance reader. The author has my complete praise. Enjoy!

[Sarah Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the regency styled books by Jane Lark, they are well written and really enjoyable.

The two main characters are perfect for one another. It takes Rupert longer to realize it that it does Meredith. Even though events take place and she has to trick him into marriage she does truly love him.

Rupert sees Meredith as something she isn't, he thinks she's a hussy of sorts, he feels that she flaunts herself at men but the only man she really flaunts herself in from to get his attention is Rupert himself. When Meredith learns that her father has planned to marry her off to a man twice her age she runs off in tears, Rupert being the curious person he is, he follows and comforts her. She takes vantage of the situation and makes it look like he's 'necking' her.

Rupert is furious as is her best friend, Rupert's younger sister. Meredith's father orders him to marry her, he's a gentleman so he does. Things are very tense at first but after their first night together as husband and wife he begins to realize that his feelings aren't what he thought they were, he loves her.

I completely loved this story and how the characters handled the events that took place. It's a book that I would definitely re-read over and over again.

Purchased on www.amazon.co.uk

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm, I found both the main characters totally unlovable and their attraction to each other unfathomable.

Meredith is a wealthy, stunningly beautiful young woman unfortunate to have been born the daughter of a merchant rather than the nobility. For some inexplicable reason she is in love with her best friend's brother (the Earl of Morton) even though he displays shockingly bad manners and is uniformly rude to her.

For some reason her father is desperate to marry her and in desperation she takes advantage of a situation and Morton is forced to marry her.

Morton is extremely rude to Meredith before, during and after the wedding - even forcing her father to take her to the reception! But apparently that is no deterrent to wanting to have his conjugal rights, and apparently all a man needs to fall in love is sex. And a woman is stupid enough to want and enjoy having sex with a man who humiliated her at her own wedding!

There was a plot involving Meredith's father and his business partner which seemed superfluous.

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too short, characters are flat, love comes after a couple nights in the sack. Felt rushed, bare bones. Could have been done much better.

[Mrs Caroline Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I found this a good book. I liked the relationship between Meredith and Rupert. I thought the story reflected how class was in the era

[D Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very captivating

Fast paced and intriguing. I also thought Meredith was using Rowena, but loved the twist to it.

.😀 Enjoyed this novella.

[Anasheh Satoorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with this story? All I can say is that Jane Lark manages to do in 75 pages what some authors cannot accomplish in 400 (+) pages. There is world building, character growth and development, an amazing plot and a beautiful romance that is not instantaneous. How did she manage this in 75 pages, well she's Jane Lark, that is all I have to say.



Before diving back into this world, I re-read the first book in the series. Not that I necessarily had to read this story, because it can be read as a stand alone, but frankly because I wanted to relive all those glorious feelings I felt the first time around. And I have to admit that I enjoyed it even more than the first time around. The only other book I can say that about is my favorite of all time, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen so that statement alone can you tell how fabulous of an author Jane Lark truly is.



This novella is about Rupert, Earl of Morton, cousin to Edward Barrington, one of the main characters from Illicit Love of a Courtesan. With a sick mother and a deceased father, it is left in the hands of Rupert to find a suitable spouse for his younger sister Rowena. Rowena has seemed to befriend a girl named Meredith from a family whom has new money acquired from Trade instead of Land, which during these times was looked down upon. (I can hear the voice of Anna Chancelor who portrayed my favorite Miss Bingley as I wrote that line - sorry P&P reference). Rupert is worried that this friendship may deter the chances of his sister finding an great match. But little does Rupert know that all the show he sees Meredith putting on, is actually for him as she is secretly in love with him.



But what Rupert doesn't know is that Meredith is not all that she seems. She is actually a very vulnerable girl who feels the every negative comment and statement made about her. She too is in a desperate situation with her cruel father wanting her to marry a landed gentleman in order to raise their standing in society.



Wanting a female touch to help with Rowena's time in London, Rupert has no choice but to ask for the assistance of his cousin's wife Elenor. Rupert's opinion of Elenor is not the highest, but in order to find more about that relationship you must read the 1st book. But Elenor has an ability that most don't, and that is to see the truth in any given situation. So she cautions Rupert to open his eyes not only to Meredith but also to the gentleman that his sister may have already fallen in love with.



At a ball in London both Rupert's and Meredith's life will change, better or worse, it depends who you ask. Meredith is told by her father that he has accepted the proposal of a man for Meredith who is old enough to be her grandfather. As she runs out of the ball room, Rupert see's her escape and taking Elenor's advice goes out to check Meredith's well being. Scared and heart broken over having to been sold to the highest bidder by her father, Meredith does, the only thing she can think of and kisses Rupert when she knows they would get caught by her father. Now Rupert has only one option and that is to marry Meredith, but he determined to make sure that she knows every day that he did not want this marriage. To find out the rest of this story you MUST GET THIS BOOK!



Once again I must make it note again, that all this and more occurs in just 75 pages! This novella made me feel and go through so many different emotions. Obviously I was glued to the pages and could not put it down. The ability Jane Lark has to create her world, makes you get lost within the pages as you are reading. So much to the point, when I put the book down it takes a moment for me to reorient myself to my surroundings. This novella kept me wanting me more and so desperate I was to get lost in Jane's writing I was, that I quickly dove in to the next book in the Marlow Intrigues!

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sat down wanting to read a romance this afternoon and at first this story reminded me, vaguely, of P&P. But I could not identify with the characters. Rupert, the Earl of Morton, never redeems himself for me. It seems he only falls in love because Meredith is good in bed. He seems out of touch with what others around him are feeling, i.e., his cousin and his sister. And I waited for some qualities in either the male or the female lead characters to make me warm to them - never happened.

Yes, I read all the things Meredith didn't have in her life: a deceased mother and a non-caring father, no friends and little dowry. But I didn't read of a charming personality, a lively wit, works of charity, a keen intelligence, etc. She did have a good figure! And as for Rupert - unbearable snob. The only redeeming characteristics were that he finally decided to make his marriage work and that he helped out his father-in-law when his partner absconded with all their money. There was not building of the relationship, no light bulb going on in a way that touched me.

Sorry, this story left a rather dull taste in my mouth. There could have been a lot more done with it. The only redemption for me was that I got it free.

[Eileen Campos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Free book. Short book. Dunno if there was more. I only kept reading to find out if Meredith
ended up over a cliff or drowned or something.


Couldn't really find anything to like about this book. I skipped through a lot of paragraphs because it was trying to romanticize something so mundane. There was no development.


Everybody was flat. Rowena had her chance to develop more but even she was a little cut short on that. Edward was pretty much the cop out that sorta carried the salvation of the plot.

There was no basis for Meredith falling in love. There was no basis for Rupert's development, I mean, sex, really?

I'm going to pretend that the ending will change at the point when Meredith went missing. That it rained. And she was side swept by a carriage who couldn't see where it was going because of very low visibility. She fell over a bridge, drowned and was discovered days later after Rupert, out of sheer obligation, decided to have a search party out for her. They say their respects and go on with their lives.

On their way out of the cemetery, Rupert sees a lone woman dressed in black,
Visiting a grave, who would be her husband who died in battle.

A widow and widower.

And they live happily ever after.

No more Meredith, yey!

[BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story :-)

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rupert and Meredith

It was a good read, didn't felt rushe6and had a great plot, though it need it more time to develop the characters a bit more. I didn't like Rupert. He came off as very snobby and judgy of poor Meredith, so in love with him. I felt very sorry of the h with her unhappy and loveless childhood and been barely tolerated by the ton and the man she so desperately loved, that would only offer her looks of dislike, disgust and suspicion. It was not surprise she cling to her only friend, Rupert's sister, Rowena. Unfortunately she ends up loosing that friendship and gained the hate of her new mother in law for having the audacity of forcing Rupert's hand in marriage.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in shades

Rupert Lord Morton saw everything in black and white and he held an unreasonable dislike to his sisters friend! He thought her fake and not a good friend at all! Rupert was in for a profound awakening! Life is definitely in shades and people have layers and dimensions to them. Meredith is beautiful but knows she is on the fringes of society and barely tolerated! For reasons totally unknown unless because he's handsome she is in love with Lord Morton who actively dislikes her or does he? What if everything he thought he knew he doesn't?

[Midniteillusion · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
He hates her and let’s her know it so I can’t believe she’s truly in love with him. More like attracted or infatuated.
I also don’t believe his acceptance and turn around. I needed to feel his anger not jut be told he’s angry for a moment.
She’s also too happy even when her husband disposed her and her best friend drops her like 3rd period French.
Maybe it would have been better as a full length book, I don’t know, but it just fell short,


Lots of editing issues including spelling, punctuation, and labeling a character by the wrong name.

[Pat Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I like!!

This book was just the thing. Although it was kind of short, I think it had every thing that makes a story good. There was some discord at first, with some people not too happy about what was going on, but things were soon shorted out. A surprising and unexpected event took place that was helped along by more mature and experienced individuals. People grow up and look at life with more compaction and understanding than before, love forgives and shows a whole new happy life.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

FOUR STARS
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Capturing the Earl's Love by Jane Lark is a quick, sweet, historical romance.

Meredith and Rupert's romance may start off on a sour note but it doesn't long for Rupert to fall for his sweet bride. Even the small side story of Rupert's younger sister was a sweet addition.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sentí una conexión verdadera

Sentí una conexión verdadera con las emociones presentadas en la historia. Gracias a Harperimpulse por estas short love stories que entretienen y estrujan los corazones.

[Sandra Gest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Really loved it. I haven't read a lot until now but I have all these older books on my tablet. I want to read some new stuff but I must read these first. Can't just let them go. Thanks, Sandra

[Emma Dargue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This took forever to read and I was just a bit underwhelmed. It was all just a bit flawed in execution and felt a bit cut and pasted. Hate to love, sensible friends and typical sex scenes that were just blah. Also all of the characters were all bloody annoying.

[L JONES · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the other books Mar 2022

This was admittedly a short story but it lacked depth and felt rather rushed and somewhat disappointing. It was however nice to hear about Edward and Ellen again.

[Sometime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Too short to really dig deep enough. H is a big jerk for most of the book and only falls in love with the h because she's so passionate in bed. Huh?

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

I liked the storyline and the characters. I found nothing to dislike. I rated this book 5 stars because I liked reading it.

[Kasa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh

The general idea was good but the plot and the characters, though with potential, were flat. Read it in 30 minutes and wasn't impressed

[Evelyn Grabas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Pleasant read. Great improvement over the first of this series. Will consider reading more of Jane Lark's books.

[N HF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Really loved this short novella! Sometimes you want just a little more information on additional characters and Jane Lark is great at writing them for her books.

[Mrs G Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the right ingredients

All the right ingredients. Swept up in the romance. Short but sweet with passion, Earls and waltzing what's not to love.

[Queen Talk Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story.

This was a nicely written historical romance. Well researched and worded. I read it as a stand-alone and found it satisfying. Mild sexy times.