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The Mysterious Heir
THE EXQUISITE PRETENDER
In dress, manner, and speech, Miss Elizabeth DeLisle seemed every inch a leisured lady. No one could guess she had been forced to take a position in trade—or that she had come to the Earl of Auden’s estate to entice him into naming her dismayingly disagreeable cousin Anthony heir to a fortune that she then could share.
But Elizabeth had stiff competition for the Earl’s imperious favor…from the schemingly seductive Lady Isabel Courtney and her odious little boy, Owen…from the implacably upright Richard Courtney and his unfortunate honesty…and from the memory of the Earl’s first wife, who had made him despise women who deceived.
Elizabeth knew she could never reveal the truth to the Earl—even when she forgot about gaining his fortune and began losing her heart….
In dress, manner, and speech, Miss Elizabeth DeLisle seemed every inch a leisured lady. No one could guess she had been forced to take a position in trade—or that she had come to the Earl of Auden’s estate to entice him into naming her dismayingly disagreeable cousin Anthony heir to a fortune that she then could share.
But Elizabeth had stiff competition for the Earl’s imperious favor…from the schemingly seductive Lady Isabel Courtney and her odious little boy, Owen…from the implacably upright Richard Courtney and his unfortunate honesty…and from the memory of the Earl’s first wife, who had made him despise women who deceived.
Elizabeth knew she could never reveal the truth to the Earl—even when she forgot about gaining his fortune and began losing her heart….
220 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
6 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Edith Layton
86 books103 followersEdith 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 10, 2016
Now that I have read most of Layton's regencies and have added a good few of them to my heart, I am going to see how this book stands with a re-read of three years.
Re-read: I appreciate more how the plot points were undertaken, and certain hurtful actions that had to be done in order to flush out the despicable villain (he truly was). I shed tears at the earl's first marriage to a nymphomaniac, and his resulting distrust in women. It all ended when shy and endearing Elizabeth broke through the barrier to his heart, and I even enjoyed the secondary characters more. :)
The Earl of Auden receives notice of an impostor raking up debts claiming to be his heir (which is impossible as the earl doesn't know who his heir is) and decides to invite his three possible heirs (all distant cousins) and pick the least worst of the lot. That include an extremely stoic young man, a gluttonous boy who is unfortunately disliked by many, and lastly, a young man who is given to radical ideas (opinions inclined towards Bonapartism). To keep the last young man in check, his cousin Elizabeth accompanies him to the earl's house. The earl himself does not want to marry due to his catastrophe of a previous marriage and having received war wounds to his leg which he believe will put people off. Now, as it becomes increasingly clear that none of the three possible heirs are fit to become a future earl, and the earl is finding the company of Miss Elizabeth extremely delightful, could he possibly consider making his own heir?
Overall, The Mysterious Heir was an entertaining and emotional read; The characters were all enjoyable and had their own stories in the beginning, which were all revealed and resolved nicely at the end. The ending is especially charming, and reminds me just why I like Edith Layton's books so much.
Re-read: I appreciate more how the plot points were undertaken, and certain hurtful actions that had to be done in order to flush out the despicable villain (he truly was). I shed tears at the earl's first marriage to a nymphomaniac, and his resulting distrust in women. It all ended when shy and endearing Elizabeth broke through the barrier to his heart, and I even enjoyed the secondary characters more. :)
The Earl of Auden receives notice of an impostor raking up debts claiming to be his heir (which is impossible as the earl doesn't know who his heir is) and decides to invite his three possible heirs (all distant cousins) and pick the least worst of the lot. That include an extremely stoic young man, a gluttonous boy who is unfortunately disliked by many, and lastly, a young man who is given to radical ideas (opinions inclined towards Bonapartism). To keep the last young man in check, his cousin Elizabeth accompanies him to the earl's house. The earl himself does not want to marry due to his catastrophe of a previous marriage and having received war wounds to his leg which he believe will put people off. Now, as it becomes increasingly clear that none of the three possible heirs are fit to become a future earl, and the earl is finding the company of Miss Elizabeth extremely delightful, could he possibly consider making his own heir?
Overall, The Mysterious Heir was an entertaining and emotional read; The characters were all enjoyable and had their own stories in the beginning, which were all revealed and resolved nicely at the end. The ending is especially charming, and reminds me just why I like Edith Layton's books so much.
June 4, 2017
Embittered by a failed marriage and women in general, Morgan Courtney, the seventh Earl of Auden, was in need of an heir. He considered three male relatives and invited them to his estate in the country. Owen was a child, Anthony was ten and seven and Richard was a twenty-something man. All of them were in need of money and a title but for different reasons.
This traditional Regency included some light suspense. The 'Earl' had a benefactor, James Everett Courtney: 'the man who never was'. His identity unknown, his purpose was to harass Morgan. Unfortunately, it wasn't difficult to identify the man once he was introduced.
Miss Elizabeth DeLisle was the unofficial guardian of Anthony Courtney and a mild romantic interest of Morgan's. I might have enjoyed their relationship if the two characters had spent more time with each other. For the brunt of the story, Morgan had arock chip on his shoulder and abundant trust issues. He spent too much time dwelling on the past.
Most of the time I enjoy Edith Layton's older Regencies. Nothing ever comes easy for the protagonists and I usually don't have a problem with this. In fact, I enjoy the angst. But this time the dots didn't connect. Sadly, The Mysterious Heir was not a favorite.
2.5 stars
This traditional Regency included some light suspense. The 'Earl' had a benefactor, James Everett Courtney: 'the man who never was'. His identity unknown, his purpose was to harass Morgan. Unfortunately, it wasn't difficult to identify the man once he was introduced.
Miss Elizabeth DeLisle was the unofficial guardian of Anthony Courtney and a mild romantic interest of Morgan's. I might have enjoyed their relationship if the two characters had spent more time with each other. For the brunt of the story, Morgan had a
Most of the time I enjoy Edith Layton's older Regencies. Nothing ever comes easy for the protagonists and I usually don't have a problem with this. In fact, I enjoy the angst. But this time the dots didn't connect. Sadly, The Mysterious Heir was not a favorite.
2.5 stars
March 5, 2025
It’s ok nothing spectacular about it. A decently written book.
December 23, 2016
I got off on completely the wrong foot with this one. The very first scene introduces the reader to a curmudgeonly gentleman, sitting huddled beside the fire with his very much needed walking stick, massaging his gammy leg (an old war wound) and railing at the rain. Naturally I assumed he was a very elderly gentleman, and took the young man, fair of form and face, who bounds in later, as the hero. Not so. The curmudgeon turns out to be thirty or so, an earl and indisputably the hero.
Then I was tripped up by the Earl having to meet three prospective heirs and choose one from amongst them. Excuse me? On what planet did any titled Regency gent get to choose his heir? He might leave his property where he liked (if it wasn’t entailed), but the title followed very strict rules. So I was struggling in the early chapters with both misdirection and historical blunders.
Neither of the main characters really grabbed me by the throat, so to speak. The Earl continues to act the curmudgeon for most of the book, and in his dealings with Elizabeth, the heroine, there’s an edge almost of violence sometimes, that really made me dislike him. He also treats her with unspeakable cruelty at the end, and no, not telling her what’s going on ‘for her own good’ is not an acceptable excuse. And she’s an idiot sometimes, but she probably had more of an excuse than he did.
However, there’s a lot to like about this book. There’s plenty of humour, there are some delightful minor characters, like Bev, the gay friend of the Earl, Anthony, one of the heirs, who is a huge fan of Napoleon, and another heir, Owen, a podgy foodaholic. The writing is excellent and the plot unfolded at a stately but enjoyable pace. The villains are idiotically obvious, but subtlety isn’t a prerequisite for this kind of book.
What saved everything for me was the development of the romance, which blossoms very, very slowly over the whole course of the book. I’m a sucker for a believable romance, and the author is skillful enough to infuse the whole thing with romantic fairydust which, in the end, outweighed the less likable aspects of their characters. And there was enough tension in some of the hero and heroine’s scenes to keep me avidly turning the pages. Four stars.
Then I was tripped up by the Earl having to meet three prospective heirs and choose one from amongst them. Excuse me? On what planet did any titled Regency gent get to choose his heir? He might leave his property where he liked (if it wasn’t entailed), but the title followed very strict rules. So I was struggling in the early chapters with both misdirection and historical blunders.
Neither of the main characters really grabbed me by the throat, so to speak. The Earl continues to act the curmudgeon for most of the book, and in his dealings with Elizabeth, the heroine, there’s an edge almost of violence sometimes, that really made me dislike him. He also treats her with unspeakable cruelty at the end, and no, not telling her what’s going on ‘for her own good’ is not an acceptable excuse. And she’s an idiot sometimes, but she probably had more of an excuse than he did.
However, there’s a lot to like about this book. There’s plenty of humour, there are some delightful minor characters, like Bev, the gay friend of the Earl, Anthony, one of the heirs, who is a huge fan of Napoleon, and another heir, Owen, a podgy foodaholic. The writing is excellent and the plot unfolded at a stately but enjoyable pace. The villains are idiotically obvious, but subtlety isn’t a prerequisite for this kind of book.
What saved everything for me was the development of the romance, which blossoms very, very slowly over the whole course of the book. I’m a sucker for a believable romance, and the author is skillful enough to infuse the whole thing with romantic fairydust which, in the end, outweighed the less likable aspects of their characters. And there was enough tension in some of the hero and heroine’s scenes to keep me avidly turning the pages. Four stars.
September 6, 2016
An earl without an heir invites three distant cousins to visit and "interview" for the position. The cousin of one of the potential heirs comes along to make sure her 17-year-old cousin Anthony, who likes to spout his love for Napoleon and other radical causes, does not scuttle his chances as soon as he arrives. Anthony and Elizabeth's secrets lead to many misunderstandings, both angry and humorous; the earl, who has been burned by having a promiscuous wife, is suspicious of Elizabeth, but ends up falling for her anyways.
I don't think one can choose an heir to one's title, although one could certainly choose an heir to one's property, if the entail hadn't been renewed. Hard to believe Layton didn't know this, since she is so knowledgeable about other aspects of the period.
Another example of a Layton novel with a far more interesting hero than heroine. And though Layton traffics in misogynistic stereotypes (the now-dead lusty wife), she also calls them into question (when she hears about the woman, Elizabeth pities her rather than condemns her). And Layton continues to refer, or at least hint at, male homosexuality; the earl's best friend, Lord Beverly, seems to be gay (he's "not in the petticoat line," enjoys befriending Anthony, and grows jealous when Anthony takes up with a new male visitor to the earl's country estate). These two things pique my interest, and make me want to keep reading more of Layton's stories.
And I'm continuing to enjoy Layton's strong, at times deliberately literary, writing.
I don't think one can choose an heir to one's title, although one could certainly choose an heir to one's property, if the entail hadn't been renewed. Hard to believe Layton didn't know this, since she is so knowledgeable about other aspects of the period.
Another example of a Layton novel with a far more interesting hero than heroine. And though Layton traffics in misogynistic stereotypes (the now-dead lusty wife), she also calls them into question (when she hears about the woman, Elizabeth pities her rather than condemns her). And Layton continues to refer, or at least hint at, male homosexuality; the earl's best friend, Lord Beverly, seems to be gay (he's "not in the petticoat line," enjoys befriending Anthony, and grows jealous when Anthony takes up with a new male visitor to the earl's country estate). These two things pique my interest, and make me want to keep reading more of Layton's stories.
And I'm continuing to enjoy Layton's strong, at times deliberately literary, writing.
November 27, 2014
Been in the mood for light good humoured, non-distracting fare lately as I am super busy atm, and this pretty much fit the bill. Nice clean oldie, no awkward uninspired page-padding sexscenes before the characters have any emotional connection as has become the norm. Although it is kind of ironic, I suppose, that the story delves lightly into the tribulations of sex addiction. Sweet story overall with no unnecessarily dragged out misunderstandings. Everyone came clean in good time about whatever lies they were perpetuating and all confessions were taken in good spirits with logical reactions rather than righteous anger.
Basically an unfolding house party is the setting. Whatever minor quibbles like traveling without a chaperone and not seeeing the possible impropriety of attending a party as an unmarried female with only a cousin of similar youthfulness etc. can be easily overlooked. Most of the characters were quite endearing. I liked the Rolly Polly little boy who ate incessantly throughout the book quite a lot.
Basically an unfolding house party is the setting. Whatever minor quibbles like traveling without a chaperone and not seeeing the possible impropriety of attending a party as an unmarried female with only a cousin of similar youthfulness etc. can be easily overlooked. Most of the characters were quite endearing. I liked the Rolly Polly little boy who ate incessantly throughout the book quite a lot.
May 10, 2022
This early book (1984) by Edith Layton is a charmer. It is a relatively short story, but readers will not feel rushed or short-changed. Our hero Morgan is an honorable man who finds out that someone is charging money about London, claiming to be Morgan's heir. Since Morgon does not spend time in London, shopkeepers lose money to a usurper. His man-of-business insists that Morgan make plans to determine an heir so they can put a stop to the usurper.
Of course, the easiest way Morgan could get an heir would be by marrying and having his own. However, Morgan barely survived the horrors of an ill-fated marriage. After his wife died in childbirth, he swore never to marry again. Thus, he invites the three maile cousins to see who would suit as his heir.
Owen, the youngest, is an obese child brought to Morgan's estate by his mother, Lady Isabel. Isabel is confident she can convince the Earl to marry her. However, she is sneaky and of relatively loose morals. Next, Richard comes from London and is quiet and withdrawn. He adds little to the group, and the reader wonders what is going on with him.
The third contestant is Anthony, a seventeen-year-old radical in his political leanings. Bonaparte is a personal favorite. An older cousin, Elizabeth, accompanies Anthony to keep him in line. Anthony's family assumed that the Earl was elderly and conservative (neither supposition was accurate). Hearing too many of Anthony's radical opinions could sink his branch of the family. This concern is essential because their uncle has beggared the family to afford the clothing and funds the pair need to make an appearance at the Earl's home.
Morgan's best friend is Lord Beverly (Bev), and he adds the lighter touches to the tale. He's about ten years older than Morgan and is often the mediator between Morgan and a guest. Bev likes to act put-upon, but he loves the intrigue. The reader will enjoy the lively tale and all the intrigue.
Of course, the easiest way Morgan could get an heir would be by marrying and having his own. However, Morgan barely survived the horrors of an ill-fated marriage. After his wife died in childbirth, he swore never to marry again. Thus, he invites the three maile cousins to see who would suit as his heir.
Owen, the youngest, is an obese child brought to Morgan's estate by his mother, Lady Isabel. Isabel is confident she can convince the Earl to marry her. However, she is sneaky and of relatively loose morals. Next, Richard comes from London and is quiet and withdrawn. He adds little to the group, and the reader wonders what is going on with him.
The third contestant is Anthony, a seventeen-year-old radical in his political leanings. Bonaparte is a personal favorite. An older cousin, Elizabeth, accompanies Anthony to keep him in line. Anthony's family assumed that the Earl was elderly and conservative (neither supposition was accurate). Hearing too many of Anthony's radical opinions could sink his branch of the family. This concern is essential because their uncle has beggared the family to afford the clothing and funds the pair need to make an appearance at the Earl's home.
Morgan's best friend is Lord Beverly (Bev), and he adds the lighter touches to the tale. He's about ten years older than Morgan and is often the mediator between Morgan and a guest. Bev likes to act put-upon, but he loves the intrigue. The reader will enjoy the lively tale and all the intrigue.
June 13, 2022
Interesting plot. Even more interesting wrap-up. The characters were enjoyable, although I had trouble with Anthony, or anyone who can consider Napoleon a great man, since he is one of the men in history who is responsible for the most deaths, along with Stalin, Hitler, and Idi Amin. I am sure there are more, unfortunately. I loved Owen and was very alarmed that the possible three heirs would all go away with nothing, since they had so little to offer. At least the other two stood a chance of doing something for themselves. Poor Owen was helpless in his mother's care. I found I couldn't sleep until I found out what happened to them all. Don't pick this book up close to bedtime.
December 22, 2022
Eh. I found some things interesting about it. But overall, the book lost my interest about halfway through and I skimmed quite a bit. The characters and plot just didn't interest me enough I guess.
December 9, 2022
It’s absolutely impossible to ignore the massive error the author made in having the hero deciding who among his paternal male line relatives should inherit his titles when that’s not how English noble titles work.
Also a bit light on the romance but the writing itself is decent enough so I’ll definitely be checking out Layton’s other books.
Also a bit light on the romance but the writing itself is decent enough so I’ll definitely be checking out Layton’s other books.
June 26, 2022
What a dreamy romance! The writing was perfect and so were Elizabeth and Morgan(a truly dashing hero)!!
Historical romances don’t get any better than this!
Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S. I can’t stop reading Edith Layton!!
Historical romances don’t get any better than this!
Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S. I can’t stop reading Edith Layton!!
December 12, 2018
Layton has another winner.
I have read many of Edith Layton's books. Some I have enjoyed more than others. This book was a winner.
I have read many of Edith Layton's books. Some I have enjoyed more than others. This book was a winner.
July 4, 2020
Decent, with crime etc.
December 26, 2021
A very enjoyable tale.
June 10, 2016
I really liked The Duke's Wager (favorite!) and I think Edith Layton was an excellent writer. This regency didn't please me as much as TDW, which did a fine job of portraying the flawed but attractive ultimate winner. Instead, in The Mysterious Heir, the hero, Morgan,spends too much time reflecting on his past, terrible marriage (he's now a widower). The situation set up in selecting an heir seemed unlikely, to say the least. And the heroine, Elizabeth, never really came into focus for me: for a 23 yr. old, she sometimes seemed to have confidence, sometimes not; sometimes acted demur, other times ran around hallways in her night clothes much too cluelessly. I wanted to like her, but so far I think Layton writes/wrote heroes better than heroines. The ending was satisfactory. A good regency, but not a favorite. On to Layton's The Abandoned Bride!
October 14, 2011
Something about Layton's style simply appeals to me, novel after novel. This one is a neat little tale of a young woman sent along with her cousin to try to keep him in line while he is being more or less interviewed for the role of heir to an Earldom. The twists and turns are relatively predictable, but it's a good story with interesting characters. A shopgirl and someone who is pro-Bonaparte make rather a change from the average characters of these novels.
November 5, 2013
This looks like it was the author's second book, and the writing is very elegant. She drew me in to the story and made the hero very sympathetic right off the bat.
There were a few things that bothered me enough to pull me out of the story a few times, but on a whole, an entertaining story. By the end, I didn't want to stop because I wanted to find out how it ended.
There were a few things that bothered me enough to pull me out of the story a few times, but on a whole, an entertaining story. By the end, I didn't want to stop because I wanted to find out how it ended.
July 5, 2015
Another one bites the dust, just did not hold up to a 5 star second time around.
July 28, 2013
Predictable but quite charming. Someday someone should do a thesis on class structure in regencies. The main character in this one is really money.
August 27, 2015
It's a good read, a bit melodramatic, the ending particularly so, but nicely written and so enjoyable.
October 5, 2021
Decent if overwrought with an overly complicated plot revealed in the last few pages. Lots of weeping.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews