Lost Laughter

by Barbara Cartland and Barbara & Jacket by Frances Marshall Cartland

Book Overview

Renowned for his lavish lifestyle and a roving eye, Valient, Viscount Ockley, is completely bowled over by heiress Niobe Barrington. But it's not just for her dazzling beauty that he pursues he with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553139851
• ISBN13: 9780553139853
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Rather different for a Cartland

This book almost seemed like someone else wrote it. The style just didn't seem like Barbara Cartland. Valient, Viscount Ockley, is madly in love with Niobe Barrington, a beautiful spoiled young woman. Her wealthy father has more ambition then for her to marry the penniless Viscount especially if another "titled" man comes along. So Niobe (who does care for Valient somewhat) strings him along and then informs him that she is to marry the Marquis of Porthcawl. She will not elope with Valient and he storms from the house, not realizing a stowaway is hidden in his phaeton. He finds Niobe's cousin Jemima has run away after suffering nothing but abuse and beatings at the hands of her uncle (Niobe's father) and sometimes at Niobe's instigation. Valient, in an effort to save face (and exact revenge) marries Jemima using the special license in his pocket. The rest of the story is how he and his friend Freddie make Jemima presentable to society as Valient lets out the story that he has married Miss Barrington, but not which one. When they become strapped for money, Jemima keeps the creditors at bay by devising ways to make money. She also works hard to restore Valient's country estate to a semblance of order. But Valient does not appreciate Jemima and Freddie finds himself in love with her. Will she run away with him? Or will the love Jemima desperately desires occur with her husband? Unlike other Cartland novels, Jemima is a resourceful and independent heroine. Of course there are later situations involving the horrible Uncle and Niobe rears her ugly, spoiled head again too. Jemima even finds a unique way to set Valient free - but does he want that in the end? Very enjoyable.