A Fallen Lady

Ladies of Scandal, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Kingston

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Laura Kinsale presents...

He came looking for the disgraced object of scandal, and found a delightful woman too proud to reveal her heart. A memorable Regency heroine highlights Elizabeth Kingston's special talent to create characters who steal your heart, with Nicholas Boulton to bring them to life.

For reasons of his own, Stephen Hampton, Lord Summerdale, is determined to learn the truth behind the tangled tale of Helen's ruin. There is nothing he abhors so much as scandal - nothing he prizes so well as discretion - and so he is shocked to find that he cannot help but admire her.

But how can she trust a man so steeped in the culture of high society, who conceals so much? And how can he, so devoted to the appearance of propriety, ever love a fallen lady?

©2015 Elizabeth Kingston (P)2017 Hedgehog, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Sometimes you want to sink into a comfy chair and read about scandal, arrogant gentlemen and fallen ladies in a country village, with all that conjures of Austen and England and taking tea. I love Kingston's venture into the Regency, and Nick's perfect sexy, aristocratic voice!" – (Laura Kinsale, author of Flowers from the Storm)

"Narrator Nicholas Boulton has a voice made for audiobooks, a smooth baritone that conveys every nuance of a story. The writing in this historical romance is superb, and his narration elevates it even further. Stephen Hampton is dispatched to investigate what has become of the sister of a peer, who fled society in a scandal years before. He's surprised to find himself admiring the disgraced Lady Helen, and tries to befriend her. But Helen doesn't want or need a champion; she wants no part of the society that spurned her and would rather live on her own terms. The story takes its time letting their complex relationship unfold, allowing the listener to get to know the characters and become immersed in this wonderful story." - ( AudioFile)

"Strong writing, rich characterisation and a tender and (sometimes) angsty central relationship combine to make this an engrossing listen; and with Nicholas Boulton proving, once again, exactly why his name on the front of an audiobook makes us jump for joy, it’s highly recommended." - ( AudioGals)

Great Storytelling

I loved this one. I’m reading the second novel in this series now on Kindle. I just wish she had a longer booklist. I personally don’t enjoy medievals or I’d read her other books.

Always a great start to Kingston books

This was the first book that I read by Elizabeth Kingston and it led me to her other books.i am pleased that she started a career in writing, she excels in making you feel for the characters.

amazing story and best narrator ever

First, Nicholas Boulton is my favorite narrator of all time! He is amazing with any book. That said, this story is fabulous. The dialogue is amazing, love Marianne and her great lines! I want to listen to it again just to catch everything. Just love this author, one of my new favorites. Really look forward to finding more books by her.

"Keep your brain between your legs and keep it there throughout"

This book was SO full of love. Storyline drips with such amazing sentences I will never want to forget. Marianne was perhaps my favorite character. Her lines were so hilarious and well thought out that I found myself laughing out loud to some of her comments. (The scene where she fell off her chair from laughter and then asked for help to get back on but changing her mind is priceless).
I find myself still sitting here after 20 minutes of finishing the book in awe of EK's talent. She makes it seem a life actually lived with characters so well developed it makes your heart ache with sadness and swell with happiness at every turn. She has quickly become one of my all time favorite writers. Laura Kinsale books have always been a favorite of mine but I do have to congratulate her at presenting this amazing and wonderful writer whom in my view surpasses almost all others in quality, details, writing and emotions evoked in her readers. Job well done ELizabeth. You truly have talent.
To conclude I have to say Nicholas Boulton will never have an equal. This writer/narrator combo is one of the best you will ever be exposed to. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

the miscommunication got to be a little much

I liked the story a lot, the character development was good and it was very moving. I just started to get a little tired of the misunderstandings and reconciliations after a while. About an hour from the end it became a little much and I actually skipped through the final melodrama. That said, I loved the friendship between the women characters and how real they were.

Not bad

This book was not bad. Some areas were a little slow and dull, but it picked up a little at the end.

Intelligent writing and perfect narration

This book was such a refreshing change from some of the romance books I've tried to listen to and had to return lately because the stories just didn't hold my interest. Nicholas Boulton has narrated many of the audible releases by Laura Kinsale (e.g., Flowers from the Storm), and these are among my favorites. I'll be checking for more audible releases of Elizabeth Kingston and Nicholas Boulton.

Overcoming a tragic past with love

In this Regency story the tragic past of the heroine (alluded to in the prologue), and the sad past of the hero, gradually revealed, defines the whole novel: there is much darkness, anguish, lack of trust and communication that creates a series of problems for the protagonists. Stephen, Lord Summerdale, looks for Helen Dehaven at her estranged brother's request, to find out the truth behind the scandal that ruined her years ago when she refused to marry her betrothed although she lost her virtue to him. She lives in seclusion and on the brink of poverty, but she refuses to accept support from her brother who doesn't believe in her innocence, and refuses to tell the truth to Stephen, who is all that is proper and judges her as a fallen woman of loose morals. However, he recognizes her goodness and strength (and is strongly attracted to her), and they gradually become friends. When friendship is about to turn something more, Helen's fear and Stephen's determination to get the truth from her drives them apart. They continue to misunderstand each other, although circumstances force Helen to turn to Stephen for aid and he gradually realizes she was an innocent victim in the scandal. Throughout their relationship and at first reluctant marriage, Helen is afraid of not being good enough for Stephen, and he is afraid that she will rebuild her inner walls and shut him out, which is what he fears most, given his own emotional baggage. After she reveals most of her secrets, it's his secrets that drive them to a final conflict, which reveals for each their innermost fear they must overcome in order to trust and love the other.
I enjoyed the deeply emotional relationship and the several instances when each needed to make a leap of faith or a decision against theoir previously held beliefs. I liked the idea that a victim of rape can overcome her negative memories and feelings but it doesn't happen easily and cheaply. What I did not quite agree with was that the hero's faults were somewhat glossed over, while the heroine's were dissected and pointed out; he demanded the whol and absolute truth form her but hid his own secrets from her, and then wondersd that it cost him her trust.
There was rather a lot of ambiguity about secondary characters, especially about the previous love interest of Stephen. Clara, a typical society lady, chose to wed a duke and abandon Stephen, but he held to the nostalgic memory of their loving relationhsip, kept her love letters, and although he did not wish to accept her invitation to an adulterous affair, he allowed a nostalgic and tender parting meeting between them. he seemed reluctant and otvated rather by duty and honor than by choosing and preferring Helen. I thought it incongruous that he should so cling to the memory of Clara ewhen it was clear she wasn't the good woman he imagined her to be.
The happy ending is lovely and resolves all the tension, as Stephen finds a way to reassure Helen that he really chooses and loves her, and manages to ask what he really wants from her - to allow him inside her walls; and Helen finally finds the way to trust Stephen and break free from the past.
Nicholas Boulton delivers an outstanding performance in narrating the story, showing listeners all the nuanced and intense emotion the characters feel, and making the story come alive with his voice.

Worth the journey

Great narrator, I usually prefer female for this kind of story but he is particularly relaxing to listen to. The story was very sweet and satisfying.

Couldn’t stop

I felt as though I was listening to a Jane Austin style story. I couldn’t stop listening. I’m excited to listen to the next installment of the Fallen Ladies