Mistress of the Night

by Charlotte Featherstone

She walks in beauty like the night. The Earl of Hardcastle is used to living his life shrouded in darkness, preferring to spend his days and nights in his gloomy townhouse than amongst the glittering ton in order to shield himself from a shameful secret he keeps carefully hidden. But his way of life is suddenly threatened when he finds himself longing for, and fantasizing about, Madeline Brydges, Society's resident do-gooder. Love will find a way where wolves fear to prey.

Madeline Brydges needs to get married, and she has her sights set on the handsome and mysterious Earl of Hardcastle. But the elusive earl is proving most difficult where marriage is concerned. After years of saving those in need, Madeline is able to spot the signs, and she sees that inside Hardcastle lurks a painful secret. Madeline must risk all if she is to save the man she loves from his demons.

Rating: Contains graphic sex and explicit language.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Erotica, Historical Fiction, Regency, Adult

220 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Hi I write erotic historical romance for Harlequin Spice, as well as erotic paranormal romance under the name Sophie Renwick. In 2011, I'll be debuting my mainstream, Victorian set historicals through HQN.

I love talking about books, and have found some new friends, and really good book recommends here on Goodreads. I really love this community.

Reviews

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read by Ms. Featherstone. She's 3 for 3 with me now, and I couldn't be happier.

Blaine, the Earl of Hardcastle, has a shameful secret and has chosen to live his life away from the gossiping ton in order to protect himself and his family. But her half-sister manages to convince him to chaperone her daughter (his beloved niece) for her 1st season and his way of life is forever changed when he finds himself obsessed with Lady Madeline Brydges. She's everything he's not, and he wants her even though he knows he can't have her.

Madeline's father has given her an ultimatum: she needs to get married before the end of the season or he'll stop funding her Montgomery House, a charity home that's her life's work. Her father knows just "the right husband" for her, but Madeline sets her cap for Blaine - disregarding her father's disapproval and her friends' concerns. She knows he's the man for her and vice versa. Unfortunately (for her), Blaine fights the attraction tooth and nail, believing there's no future for them. He knows better than to hope she'll stay with him once she learns his secret. Silly man! Madeline is one of a kind. :)

Oh, I liked this book so much! The prologue was amazing, the writing was engaging (there were some editing mistakes, but not big enough to bother me), the angst was "just right" and made me shed some tears in one particular scene, and Blaine and Madeline were the kind of H/h you can't help rooting for. I could really feel his obsessive passion growing stronger and stronger, and her love wavering (but never dying) after his (many) hurtful remarks.

That said, I did want to smack some sense into Blaine a couple of times, because his on and off pursuit of Madeline drove her (and me) crazy. I love tortured heroes and I understood his hesitation and his fears, but he could have snapped out of it sooner.

To be fair, I have to say that I also wanted to shake Madeline once, when she decided to deceive Blaine "for his own good". I can't say much else because it would be a spoiler. I'll only say that that was out of character and I didn't like it.

Overall, this was another great story by Ms. Featherstone, who has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG another great book from Charlotte Featherstone. Beautifully written, and oh so sensuous.....bone meltingly so.

Blaine is handsome dark and mysterious.....he has a secret that effects everything he does, the secret must never ever be made public, should it do so the consequenses would be devestating.
Maddy is a lady with a conscience, however she needs to find to find a husband....and quick! to ensure that her charitable endeavours can continue. For sometime Blaine and Maddy have eyed each other from afar.
A relationship.....hot, sensuous,romantic, there's Byron and flowers and hot hot sex......all beautifully and seductively written follows and things get serious, but still Blaine will not confide in Maddy. Then Maddy decides to take things into her own hands with terrible consequenses.....Fortunately Maddy and Blaine see the light and have their HEA.

A story about trust and learning to trust the one you love.

If you like scenes that literaly burn your fingers as you turn the page ,are tender slow and erotic and are hotter than hot then you'll love this.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your stories HOT with tormented hero's then this book is for you!

It was a short story about a Tormented hero. I really liked the heroine, she knew what she wanted and went for it. The love's scene's were done well and the sexual tension was hi right from the beginning. What I really LOVED was the way the book came to a close, FANTASTIC and very emotional. I wish this book would have been longer. Charlotte also could have made this a series. I would have bought it, lol!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous debut book by Charlotte Featherstone... 4 stars!!!

Tortured hero in need of saving... sign me up! The Earl of Hardcastle has a secret, and the secret is what keeps him from wanting to take a wife and have children. The problem is that he is falling for Madeline Brydges, who is desperately searching for a husband, and he doesn't want to see her in the arms of another man.

The good news is that Maddy loves rescuing people in need of saving, and she can tell that there is something the Earl is hiding, something so painful that he will push away those he loves in order to keep them from finding out his secret.

In the end desire wins out over pride and Blaine and Maddy find a beautiful happily ever after!

This story reminds me a little of the first book in the Bridgerton series, The Duke And I by Julia Quinn. Only this doesn't have the humor and has a LOT more steam than JQ writes! If you are able to get your hands on a copy of this Out Of Print book, then go ahead and read it! You won't be disappointed with Charlotte's signature style of combining a beautiful love story with sensual steam that is never tacky or over the top!

[I ♥ Bookie Nookie (bookienookiereviews.blogspot.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could we possibly have a hot and erotic historical romance without at least one tortured soul? Impossible!

If I am not mistaken, this is Charlotte Featherstone's first novel--as firsts go, this one is pretty darn awesome. I really enjoyed the characters in this book.

Maddy is being forced by her father to find a husband, but not just any husband, an "appropriate" husband. As her father forces his choice on her, she appeases him feigning interest...all the while having her sights set on another who is handsome and mysterious and has no intention of ever taking a wife. Maddy sets out on a mission to conquer Blaine's heart...

Maddy's tenacity is inspiring--not just in romance, but in life. Blaine is so concerned about protecting his heart, that he can't see the gift of love right in front of his face. The journey made the end even sweeter!

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews

___________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!

Menage Readers

Erotic Enchants

Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

Can't tell you how amazing this book was or how I loved both Blaine and Madeline aka Maddy! Oh, I'm a new Charlotte Featherstone fan for sure! I love her writing style, it's uncomplicated yet very well-structured, both plot and narrative wise, suffice to say I had not a moment of frustration while reading it.

Madeline or Maddy is the daughter of the Earl of Penrick and a society do-gooder. She has a place called Montgomery house, which provides help for all sorts of women in need, they range from daughters of vicars to prostitutes/courtesans. She's not a missish girl because by helping those women, she'd seen and experienced a lot of things. Now 24, she never lacked suitors but didn't get married. Now, her father has given her the ultimatum, she has to get married by the end of the season or no money for the house! But, for about a year, Maddy has been crazy about the Earl of Hardcastle, Blaine. Blaine is mysterious, not a frequent in the social circle, seems like always preferring to be alone or with his closest friends Brongley, Bathhurst, Reanleigh and Stanfield. The former three are married to Rebecca, Isabella and Chloe respectively. All of them have love matches and stick together, something I adored reading. Maddy is intrigued and trying hard to get his attention since she'd decided it's Blaine she wants and no other. I LOVED her and her determination, which of course, paid off in the end.

Blaine, 33, is lonely because he has a secret, a longtime re-occurring illness that forces him to keep himself apart from the others. I loved this man; his battle with his illness, then with 'to love or not to love' and finally, how love won over, was something dark yet fascinating to read. Blaine has also known Maddy from the ballrooms and crazily attracted to her but can't go ahead and meet since he knows he can't give her a future. People generally know him as a dangerous man who keeps to himself and has a cutting tongue, so they mostly give him a wide berth. But, Blaine has to hide behind this facade to save himself. I was in tears reading about his childhood and later on, his fight with his illness. His father was one awful man and treated him bad, his mother kept herself apart from him. The only person he cares for and who cares for him in return, is his older half-sister Celeste, who is now widowed and has two children. It is in the ball in which Miranda, the daughter had her debut, is where Blaine and Maddy are finally introduced.

From there on, I so enjoyed reading their journey. Maddy was obsessed with Blaine and to figure out what he wants, why he's this way. I loved that she wanted to know him, help him, take care of him but mostly, love him with all her heart. But, their courtship, of course was rocky since Blaine tried pushing her away, yet couldn't seem to do it since she was the light he was craving for all his life. I loved their note exchanges, adored Blaine's recitals of Byron's "The Bride of Abydos", also his sending message through flower arrangements called Floriography, which was very popular in that era. It was on one nightly meeting near the Montgomery house is where Blaine called her his mistress of night. Also, Maddy professed her attraction for him and let him know subtly that she wants him as her husband, something I loved, in this meeting. Blaine's fight with what to do got a little frustrating at times but of course, I understood, seeing how he fought his own frustrations stemming from his troubles. You can't but feel for this man and the unfairness life in general. I speak from personal experience, when I say I understood what he was going through.

I loved the charity house party that was taking place in the Brookehavens (Brongley's grandmother's place), for the fund raising of Montgomery house. Maddy had already made friends with Miranda, Blaine's niece. She's now also fast friends with Rebecca, Isabella and Chloe. Blaine went there with his friends. Reading Maddy, Rebecca, Isabella and Chloe together, I had the wonderful time as I had while reading the Wallflowers by Lisa Kleypas. It was that good! There was a particular scene, where all five of the men were playing football (was it?) and the women were admiring them, hihihi, I loved it! ;) Loved the fortune telling scene with the men, too! :p Then knowing how Maddy feels about Blaine, the other three decide to help her out. The Arabian night theme was also something I enjoyed, which drove all the men, including Blaine, insane (you know something to do with the way they dressed ...) and he knew he can't ignore Maddy anymore. They make love and later, elope. Maddy's father gets angry and severs all ties with her since he was hoping a match for her with Tynemouth, one of his political cronies, about whom Maddy really didn't care much. Have to mention, even though Blaine was trying to avoid Maddy, seeing her with Tynemouth would drive him into a rage. Boy, he was possessive and I LOVED it!

Love scenes oh-damn-hhhottt! Seriously, Blaine is one sexy hunk! I'm a sucker for scenes where the hero likes to describe things he'd like to do or saying it all while in action ... ooh! *fans herself* Blaine wasn't ever a rake but been with demireps/courtesans. His illness even prevented him from keeping a mistress or for regular assignations. But, that didn't matter when he had Maddy since it's only her he wants, been wanting since the moment he first had a glimpse of her a year ago. You can tell that he loves her too but he's so scared of Maddy knowing about his illness, of the fact she might think of him as a freak and leave him. Ah! I felt tears in my eyes every time I found him going through this internal battle with his insecurities. But, of course, Maddy just wanted to help him. Before marrying, Blaine asked Maddy that she never ask for a child but didn't give her a reason to why. It was another thing that caused a rift between them before their marriage and later on, after Maddy seduces him to lose control with her. One of her friends in the House, a former courtesan, gives her some tips and yes, it led to a HOT scene ... *sigh*

Blaine didn't know about it but had some suspicions. He visits this Bedlam (throughout the book), a hospital and always donated for it's maintenance since ... well, you have to read the book to know the reason behind it. I just feel like talking about it all, which of course is impossible. Later on, when he comes back visiting the hospital, Blaine sees Maddy talking to his mother (he can't stand his mother) and learns that she's pregnant. He's in rage and tells her to get rid of the baby. Maddy won't and I was, at this point, gulping the book down. After they marry, Blaine's illness came back but Maddy was kept in the dark about it, while Blaine's valet took care of him. Obviously, it couldn't go on like this. While they were arguing about the baby, the illness hits Blaine again. Witnessing it, Maddy was struck dumb and felt equally helpless. But, she wasn't thinking of leaving him, only to help. An inscure Blaine takes her reaction for repulsion and very rudely asks her to leave. Oh! *sniffs*

To be honest, I loved the book til the end. It had more tear-jerking moments afterwards. Blaine's salvation and understanding that no matter what, he can't live without Maddy was too good to read. Maddy was a magnificent heroine, for her determination to see Blaine through. The epilogue left me with an idiotic grin on my face! :p I loved both of them as I loved the secondary characters. I've already mentioned about Blaine's married friends. I liked them so much that I wanted to know about their story, wish I did. I want to know more about Stanfield too, whose mother, I guess is from Middle East/India (couldn't quite get it). And, yes, Maddy's friends Penelope aka Penny and Harriet aka Harry. Wish I saw more of them later in the book. For a debut novel, Charlotte Featherstone has given me more than I could've wished for.

A super big 4.5 star!

[Karen Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book the hero has a most unusual flaw, different than I have every read. I enjoyed it. GREAT JOB Ms. Charlotte Featherstone!

[Basbouseolz]

Bruh dnf for the second time

[MBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte Featherstone is an author who got on my radar with her book Sinful. Her decision to not take the easy way out when she crafted the hero in the story won my wholehearted approval. Even though the books that I have read from her since then haven’t lived up to the mark, Mistress of the Night caught my eye because there was just something about the description of the story that got to me. The reclusive hero described? Yes. The heroine who wants him and no other? Oh, hell yes!

Blaine Ashbourne, even though he is part of the elite ton, is someone who keeps himself far removed from everything that goes on in those circles. He keeps close to himself a secret that he would rather die than get out, knowing that it would be one not at all well received. It is his bid to look out for his niece that lands himself in this ball and that, directly in the sight of Madeline Brydges, the woman he observes without being obvious about it, or so he thinks, his hunger for her something that shocks even himself.

Madeline has no choice but to snare herself the husband that her father insists that she find. But the only man whom she is going to get herself married to is none other than the Earl of Ashbourne, a man who is seemingly as reticent as they come. But with every encounter that proves otherwise, Blaine and Madeline seduces and get seduced by each other, while Blaine believes that a blissfully wedded future with anyone, much less Madeline is not for the likes of him.

Mistress of the Night is a story that had such potential. Charlotte’s flair for the dirty talking hero and sex scenes that practically melt you on the insides were all present in the story. But it fell short of delivering on what it could have been. I felt a tad disappointed and a wee cheated by the time I finished reading the book, though it is a testament to the writing that I finished the book in just one sitting. Perhaps my problem was with the huge differences between how the book was described in the blurb and how it actually materialized later on.

Blaine is someone who has had fear instilled in his heart by his father. A father who had been devastated that the only son he had ever had turned out to be less than perfect. Blaine’s tortured soul heals under the touch of Madeline, but he refuses to let her in too deep, for the fear that she might discover the secret that he keeps from almost everyone. Madeline’s actions towards the latter part of the novel also might be one of the reasons why I couldn’t really say I loved what happened, though I did understand that desperate times called for desperate measures. Nonetheless, Mistress of the Night turned out to be an enjoyable read, recommended for those that love this author.

For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars erotic historical romance

Lady Madeline Brydges has to marry; soon. Being 24 years old, she isn’t far from being considered a spinster for life. She’s dedicated her young life to helping young women overcome traumatic events at her safe house, Montgomery House. With all of the attention given to her charity, marriage isn’t at the top of her priorities. She cannot, however, deny that her attention is consumed with the mysterious Earl of Hardcastle, Blaine. Madeline has a gift for knowing when someone is in need of love, and everything in her being calls out to her that Blaine needs her love. She cannot describe the feelings the man makes her feel with just a simple look across the room. Deciding she will settle for nothing less, she sets her sights on marrying Blaine, and no one else will do.

The last thing Blaine wants is to become involved with someone. Desperate to hide his lifelong secret “condition”, he wants nothing to do with love, marriage, or children. Unapproachable, rude, and an attitude hard as steel, Blaine cannot understand why he’s so taken with Madeline Brydges. Her beauty surpasses those of any other woman in the ton, but it’s not just looks that grab him. He senses her capacity to love and be a good wife. He does everything in his power to avoid her and steer clear, but in the end it becomes obvious that it is only her that can truly save him.

In typical Charlotte Featherstone fashion, this book had my emotions all over the place. I cried, I laughed, I got pissed, and I was soooooo incredibly turned on I nearly tackled my husband when he came in the door!! This book is just another example of why I love her so much as an author. Full of beautiful imagery, erotic poetry, and heartfelt emotion, this book is not to be missed. Four and a half stars!!!

[Z. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sex scenes are fine, but the characters are obnoxious - both protagonists are really irritating and stupid at times. The hero cruelly rejects the heroine (since he can't marry her because of his tortured soul, of course), yet she still wants to "save" him...and then when she moves on (not a moment too soon imo) and considers marrying another man, he has a big whiny baby tantrum about it because how could she forget him so soon?! Never mind that she needs to get married, he knows she needs to get married, and he told her he won't marry her. Ugh. Meanwhile, their friends have of course realized that they're in love and are encouraging the relationship, although I really can't see why Madeline's friends in particular think it's a good idea. Then they get together again because their uncontrollable desires are inflamed by an encounter at an unpleasant gypsy/Middle Eastern themed charity fete (I know the racism is period appropriate and it goes with the whole Byronic theme, but I don't particularly want to read this exoticizing nonsense played straight - in this book non-Western cultures exist solely to titillate English aristocrats). I do like that their relationship problems are still there after their hasty lust-fuelled marriage and don't get solved quickly. The last section after that really dials up the melodrama but it's my favorite part, especially when Blaine's mother takes him to task for his self-serving martyr complex and makes him realize what an ass he's been. Ultimately though I still felt that Madeline was overly generous and forgiving; the dynamic between them does change in the last scene before the epilogue but it happened too quickly for me to be totally comfortable with it.

[Leiera Monae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Charlotte Featherstone novel, and I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. She does not disappoint. Her penchant for writing historical drama is astounding. Whenever I read one of her books, it's as if I'm taken back to the era, with her use of the appropriate period jargon. Add to that, her unique plotlines and lovably tortured characters, and you've got yourself a satisfying read.

Mistress of the Night is the story of Blaine, the Earl of Hardcastle and Madeline Brydges. Madeline wants very much to marry Blaine, but he feels that he is unworthy because of the painful secret that he keeps hidden from society. She tries her best to shatter the walls he keeps up to protect his heart. She is relentless in her pursuit, and he is just as unremitting in his own resistance to her charms.

Many times this story tugged at my heartstrings and left me emotionally tattered. My heart ached for Blaine and the life that he suffered through, as well as others with his affliction. I even cried for Gertrude, another unfortunate character. What's more is that Ms. Featherstone was probably spot-on in her description of the societal views of this time period: merciless lack of empathy for others, and cold disdain for any who were not "normal" or "perfect." I have a dear friend who has this condition, and it is definitely painful and scary as you are forced to sit on the sidelines and watch helplessly.

If you are a fan of well-written historical fiction (with a smidge of erotica thrown in) then this book is for you.

[Ai · Rating 1 out of 5]

Given how much I loved other books by Charlotte Featherstone, I was so disappointed by this book. The premises is too simple and the characters are also too one dimensional.

From the get go, Madeline has her targets set on Blaine, the Earl of Hardcastle. There's only one problem. She has never once spoken to him and doesn't know a thing about him except the assumption that there is a heart of gold beneath his cold, anti-social exterior. Blaine is also inexplicably drawn to Madeline and shenanigans ensue, including a silly scene where they intertwine their hands beneath his dog's long fur so no one can see him and also dancing randomly in the garden because Blain actually doesn't like to dance but is drawn to dance with Madeline for some reason.

Madeline is just too sweet for words and they fall in love for no reason. I could no get over the fact that Madeline refused other suitors and would only accept Blaine. It was Blaine or no one. Why? She doesn't even KNOW him. At the beginning of the book, she is already besotted with him and I have no idea why. It's not like he's charming or anything. In fact, he comes off as really awkward.

The premise of the book is just silly and the romance between the h/h is too sappy that it almost pained me to read. I couldn't finish this book. I tend to enjoy meatier books.

[Rudhradev · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story was not what i thought it would be. but it was awesome . he behaved like a child and almost always rejects her love and affection but i think its only natural for a man who suffered like him. lady hardcastle was a very patient lady who likes forbidden things , if you know what i mean. she starts to care for him a great deal and falls head over heals in love. but i think she is portrayed as a bit saint . even after suffering from bleeding due to a slight problem in her pregnancy because of him she didn't scold him or even accuse him. that's doesn't particularly sit well with me. but otherwise the story was awesome that's the reason i gave five whole stars.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty well written, albeit rampant with a few clichés of the genre. However, no perpetuation of the hymen myth and demonstrating the proper use of the clitoris more than make up the shortcomings. My only real quibble is more sex please!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3 1/2 star.

[Blue · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Star 2022
4 Stars 2014
h was too needy

[L H · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Melania Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Interesting story and characters. I would like to read more of Mr. Featherstone's books.

[Jesskate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put it down.
Scandalous and seductive, funny and simply beautiful

I loved it

[*MariaA* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Plot!! Recommended!!