The Wedding Night

by Barbara Dawson Smith

Book Overview

Humiliated by being abandoned by her groom on their wedding night, Lady Cassandra Firth is reunited with her husband Samuel after requesting a legal separation, but before he will grant her request,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312982305
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

A Nice Escape

There are times when I feel the need to read the literary equivalent of macaroni and cheese--something comforting and warm, but perhaps not of the highest "gourmet" standards. The Wedding Night answered that need. It is an enjoyable Regency romance. Predictable, but also compelling reading. Young Cassandra marries the much older Samuel when she is just fifteen. Nothing happens on their wedding night, young Cassandra is too frightened and confused. Samuel leaves the country, returning four years later to a woman he hardly knows, but very much desires. Intrigue, romance, suspicion and betrayal follow. A perfect, fun, quick read.

The virgin bride

What happens when a marriage has been arranged to pay off a debt? Filled with naive romantic notions, fifteen-year-old Lady Cassandra Grey thinks that her wedding night will only be a kiss good night. Samuel Firth was obliged to tell his virgin bride otherwise. After witnessing the fear from this mere child, Samuel decides the only thing left to do is leave. He departs for a trip around the world, leaving his bride still a virgin. THE WEDDING NIGHT is set in 1820 in London, England, some four years since Cassandra last saw her husband. She's all grown up, very beautiful and intelligent, an author on the verge of releasing her first book and ready to gain her independence. She knows Samuel provided for her generously during the last four years while he lived a very colorful life moving from one city to another. She still harbors deep resentments about her wedding night and the humiliation she faced. Her only thought is to gain her freedom and maintain an air of respectability, but she must first have permission from Samuel for a separation. He, on the other hand, has other intentions and a separation was not a part of it. His original plan was to wait until she grew up before consummating the marriage and then take his rightful place in society. After a chance meeting between them in the theatre, a separation is out of the question. In fact, he comes up with a scheme to appear agreeable to her proposal while at the same time deviously plotting to seduce her. As Samuel puts his plan in motion, he discovers that much has gone astray in his absence. Someone has been stealing from him, there are those that have designs on his wife, and the family that he felt deserted him has been meddling in his affairs. To complicate things further, Samuel finds himself completely entranced with Cassandra and very protective of her. Will Cassandra gain her independence? Has Samuel bitten off more than he can chew? In her fifth book of the Rosebuds series, Barbara Dawson Smith has written an action-packed historical romantic tale that continues the story of the three matchmaking grandmothers. She weaves in a lesson on the strength of family love and respect around a believable love story and a couple of whodunit subplots to keep readers on the edge of their seats. I felt the character development was awesome in this near flawless stand-alone compilation. Ms. Dawson Smith is indeed a great storyteller, and I, for one, will be looking to read more from this author. Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Wedding night Bliss

Once again another winner from Barabara Dawson Smith. I love the way she writes - fast and fun. All her characters are great. her women are sassy and independent. An easy summer read. if your looking for something intellectual - go read a text book. if you want a fun summer love story pick up one by this author.

A beautiful love story

In 1816 Samuel Firth, illegitimate son of Marquess George Kenyon who spawned him and his mother, buys fifteen year old Lady Cassandra to be a bride. He chose Cassandra because she is the perfect blue blood to help him engineer his vengeance against his sire, but he also selected her because he was hooked when he saw her making angels in the snow. Samuel pays off the enormous debts that Cassandra's father accumulated.On their wedding night, Samuel expected a somewhat reticent wife, but he found a frightened child with no idea what to expect waiting in bed with him. Instead of forcing himself on her, Samuel leaves. He travels the globe for the next four years looking at his business interests while waiting for his spouse to grow up.Samuel returns but Cassandra is now an intelligent beautiful woman who has a circle of men paying their respects to her though she is not a flirt. Samuel informs her he will take his dividend soon, but instead they fall in love. However, a secret admirer plans to do anything to gain her hand including murder and abduction.THE WEDDING NIGHT is a fine Regency romance that showcases the skills of Barbara Dawson Smith to use multiple settings for her tales. The story line is fun to follow as Samuel and Cassandra battle for "supremacy" in their relationship, a skirmish that neither can win solo, but both can triumph if they choose to win-win together. Though the villainous subplot adds suspense and provides a final impetus to bring the heroes in concert, it takes away from a powerful love story between two obstinate charmers.Harriet Klausner