Vanity
One day the three Wyndham boys are playing and Philip trips Gervase, sending him to his death.  Cullum, the elder twin to Philip, is now heir to the Earl of Wyndham. Philip is evil, but he is the apple of his parents eye.  Philip boasts that he will tell everyone that Cullum accidentally killed Gervase, knowing he will be believed.  Cullum can not bear it and he stages his disappearance at the age of twelve. Octavia Morgan, dressed as a lady of good birth is forced to the streets as a pickpocket so she can support herself and her ailing father. Unfortunately she  picks the pocket of the notorious highwayman, Lord Nick.   He has no doubts what this beautiful woman has done, and an idea forms in his head.  But he needs her cooperation. He brings her to an inn that caters only to a chosen few and in order to assure her cooperation, he drugs her, then makes love to her.   Lord Nick takes her home and tells her that he has a plan that will benefit them both.  It requires that they pretend to be married.  She agrees and he instructs Octavia as to what she must do - find and steal the ring that Philip Wyndham always carries on his person, even if she has to seduce him. In return, he will ruin the men who took advantage of her father and return her home and fortune. They are now known as Lord Rupert and Lady  Warick.  Their scheme is working and as it becomes clear that Philip intends to bed her, Octavia has qualms.  Rupert shows no emotion and remains steadfast on this course, though he can't stand the thought of his twin touching her.  Philip and Octavia have a romantic interlude, but when he is about to enjoy her charms, they are interupted and the moment is gone.  She returns home and happily tells Rupert all about it, but he becomes angry with her.  He explains that he had changed the plan and seduction won't be necessary.  And during this discourse, he tells her that he drugged her that first night.  Octavia is livid and rejects him.  He is remorsful, but the damage is done.  He releases her from her part of the deal, but she agrees to follow through with his new plan.  Suddenly things begin to go wrong and then it all falls apart when Lord Nick is set up and captured.  Octavia realizes and accepts her love for her 'Lord and highwayman'.  She is determined to secure the ring for him and to obtain his release from Newgate.  With a little help from their friends, she succeeds in both endeavors.  Everything is up to Rupert now and it is all within his grasp, but their future depends on his revenge.Well written!   Vanity is a fabulous story with an elaborate, precise plot that takes the reader on a romantic journey through the ups and downs of love and revenge!  Jane Feather can now add Vanity to her cap!  It is a swift moving story of romance and revenge that satisfies the reader on all levels!  Ms. Feather certainly knows how to capture and hold her readers attention!  A lot of romance here, a bit of revenge there, some regret and remorse, deceit and danger and voila! Vanity!  A very imaginative author, and prolific too as Vanity is the sixth in a series of 'V' books by Jane Feather.  A glimpse of her next book, Vice, assures me that Ms. Feather will continue to be a very vivid and vigorous author!Gloria Miller  --Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times