"Nicholas Cranleigh suspects his meddlesome sister is up to something when she invites him to stay at Cothill Manor at the same time as Miss Dresden. He’s on his guard, but it’s hard to resist a woman with luminous eyes who’s in need of a savior.
Lavinia Dresden is ready to sacrifice herself to save her family from financial ruin in the only path open to a woman of gentle breeding. But she hadn’t counted the cost of her sacrifice until Lord Cranleigh came into her life—a man she knew to be her ideal.
There remain only five days until the Christmas ball when Miss Dresden’s fate will be decided, and it soon becomes apparent to Nicholas that the question is not whether he wants to save Lavinia, but whether he is able."
"Once the most charming rake in London, John Aubin lost everything when he overheard a powerful earl’s fraudulent dealings. Branded a liar and cast out of society, he now lives under an assumed name, working in the very orphanage the earl owns. But Aubin’s purpose isn’t charity—it’s revenge. Sober and focused for the first time in his life, he plans to expose the earl’s corruption and reclaim his good name. Nothing will stand in his way—until he meets her.
Lady Eugenia Stanich has never truly known a father’s love. The Earl of Goodwin may be a revered figure in society, but to Geny, he is a distant shadow, more invested in power than in family. The Foundling Asylum that bears her father’s name is the one place where Geny feels a connection to the mother she lost years ago. If she marries, it would be to a man who shares her devotion to the children, but London’s gentlemen see charity as a pastime, not a calling. Then the new supervisor arrives, and Geny dares to hope she has met someone different.
As John and Geny grow closer, desire sparks and hearts entwine, but the truth looms between them. If Lady Eugenia discovers that John is not who he claims to be—and worse, that he is using the asylum to destroy her father—he will lose more than his chance at redemption. He will lose the only woman who has ever inspired him to be a better man.
* Perfect for fans of clean Regency romance which features reformed rakes—and for those who delight in the slow burn romance of forbidden love and hidden identities.
The audiobooks in the Bachelors of Blackstone series can be listened to in any order."
"She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.
Selena Lockhart comes with neither dowry nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome-especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family's sudden fall from grace and Selena's betrothed to break off their engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?
Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister's dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn't help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other to claim his face, fortune, and title so that he's left without a moment's peace.
When Selena shows up at Lucius's doorstep looking for help, he is sure it's another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society's teeth when she continues to hold him at arm's length?"
"She's capable of many things-including driving him mad.
At the start of their London Season, Philippa Clavering discovers her friend Susan is being pursued by the wrong gentleman and decides to turn Susan's head to a worthier suitor. Not one to shrink from what she views as her duty and gift, Philippa sets plans in motion to bring about the happy ending her friend deserves. What she does not expect is to have Susan's older brother watching-and criticizing-her every move.
After a respectable number of years on the town, Jack Blythefield is at last contemplating the idea of settling down. What he seeks is a compliant wife to provide him an heir or two and make his home comfortable while he spends his evenings at the club where a man can get some peace. What he does not need is a termagant who sets his life on end with madcap schemes which invariably involve his unwilling assistance.
However, when the reputation of Jack's family is threatened, Philippa is the one he turns to. And as her most determined suitor grows assured of his conquest, Jack must decide if a comfortable and docile wife is truly what he seeks, or if he should throw down the gauntlet of his heart before Philippa closes court."
"For once, he has met a lady less inclined to marry than he is. How unfortunate that she is the only bride he will consider.
George Clavering is much too young to think about getting married. Yes, his older brother-and even his younger sister-have managed to tie the knot, but he has plenty more years of play and sporting events ahead of him before he need consider such a thing. Even matchmaking becomes a sport when gentlemen bet on the Season's successes or failures in the club. He will not give them an opportunity to bet on him. Furthermore, why settle down when there are young women like Lady Alice who liven the sport of matchmaking with friendly wagers?
Lady Alice St. Clair is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr, and as she is independently wealthy and may do as she pleases, she has no reason to wed. She certainly has no intention of doing so. If the marriage mart offers nothing more than the unattractive boors who have presented themselves at her door for the past five seasons, it should hardly surprise her parents she cannot be persuaded to the altar. True, George Clavering has a full head of dark hair and a smile that is as mischievous as it is attractive, but no lady of character would change her mind for one above-average specimen of the male race.
For both, what began as a friendly bet between two bored guests at a ball turned into an earnest desire to help their protégés find happiness. And if some deeper feelings should stir in George to win Alice's heart, then he has no choice but to dampen them. After all, Lady Alice has sworn she will not marry, and George has applauded her decision. For him to try to weaken her resolve now would be…unsportsmanlike."
"She excels at everything-especially at capturing his heart.
Philip Townsend is too busy trying to render his estate profitable to worry about managing its rundown house or finding a woman suited to the role of his wife. His beautiful and competent neighbor Honoria would be the logical choice, were it not for the enmity between their fathers that makes such a thing impossible.
Honoria Bassett takes pride in a household well run and cannot understand why her dear neighbor won't make more of an effort at his. When it comes to the choice of husbands, she is too certain of what she wants to consider Philip for the role. But his tendency toward quiet acts of heroism, and those firm lips quirked upward in a grin, keep doing strange things to her heart.
When challenges appear in their individual lives, Philip and Honoria turn to one another for guidance. Now in constant company, the strength of their feelings makes them question whether mere friendship is enough. But even if they decide they might suit, how in the world will they convince Honoria's father to agree?"
"She is waiting to be loved for the very first time. He is waiting to love her. But someone is dead set on making sure that never happens.
Widowed Arabella Northwick went from the home of a father who didn't love her to the home of a husband who didn't love her. It would seem at last she was on the cusp of forging a happier future for her baby and herself, were it not for her dead husband's brother, who is determined to keep them captive.
Theo Dawson was born and bred into the textile industry. He has never wished to inherit the mill and run it, but as the eldest son, no other choice presents itself. He might be able to resign himself to a life of duty rather than happiness were it not for the beautiful, widowed Mrs. Northwick, who is coming to mean every bit as much to him as fulfilling his duties.
With a wicked brother-in-law keeping a tight rein on Arabella and swearing she will lose her son if she marries, and problems at the mill that prevent Theo from any hope of passing it on to his younger brother, the two hopeless lovers have arrived at point non plus. What they will need to overcome-their only chance, in fact-is a stroke of good fortune."
"Who declared that every young lady of a certain age must surely wish for a husband? And why must a handsome bachelor, in possession of a fortune, be the obvious candidate simply because he lives next door?
In the quiet countryside of Lincolnshire, Christine Grey is perfectly content with her life of spinsterhood, finding solace in the companionship of her beloved animals. In the tranquil routine of her days, she spends her time with married friends and puts up with her brother, who would try the patience of a saint. Satisfied in her habits and independence, she asks for nothing more.
Sir Alexander Thorne arrives in Horncastle, a newly minted knight and owner of the long-dormant Gracefield Park. His aspirations to prove his worthiness lead him to pursue the life of a country gentleman, and through it, a clash with his pretty neighbor. His arrival stirs well-meaning friends to plans of matchmaking, and skepticism in Christine's heart.
When circumstances force them into a compromising situation, they have no choice but to face the necessity to wed. Even as they fight against their fate, the connection between them deepens until they find it difficult to ignore. Christine wonders if her hopes for a happy marriage are too presumptuous, particularly when he had been forced to offer for her in the first place. Alexander must grapple with his own insecurities as he strives to be the husband a woman as worthy as Christine deserves."
"A love match would not do. She would make an advantageous match-a brilliant match!
At the age of nineteen, Lady Dorothea Rowlandson was practically on the shelf. Had she not suffered her father, the earl's, untimely death weeks before last year's season, she would surely by now be a married lady-the established wife of an illustrious peer. With such a regrettable delay, time was ever more of the essence if she wished to secure her own future and that of her sisters.
Miles Shaw holds an encumbered estate. It is only logical, therefore, that he commence the London Season on the hunt for a well-dowered wife. His personal code of honor requires he be upfront about this goal, so that he deceives no one. And as he fully intends to love and cherish the wife of his choosing, he will naturally bring as much to the union as he receives. After all, he is a landed gentleman with no shortage of charm.
When chance forced Miles and Dorothea to partner one another for the first dance of the first crush of the season, Fortuna could only have been in a funning mood. To have fostered so unsuitable a connection was nothing short of absurd. For what could a peer of the realm's daughter and a gentleman of no consequence, with his pockets to let, possibly have in common?"
"Theirs is not a love match. She'll make sure of it.
Kitty Stokes never imagined she'd be so weak as to sacrifice herself on the altar of family obligations, but when the only alternative to marriage with Lord Hayworth is to play nursemaid to her brother's children, Kitty reluctantly agrees. On her wedding day, she's certain she has made a grave error, but it's too late to back out.
Phineas Hayworth refrained from setting eyes on his new bride before their wedding day-the price he forced himself to pay for being so mercenary as to wed the sister of a wealthy merchant in a bid to save his estate from ruins. Her beauty, therefore, comes as a shock, as does her icy treatment, which he feels he deserves. He swears an oath he will not approach her for an heir unless the invitation comes from her.
As Phineas sets out to put his estate in order and present his new wife to Society, he finds her more enchanting than he could have hoped for, even in a love match. Kitty continues to hold him at arm's length, although he suspects her feelings for him run just as deep. As Phineas's love and desire for his wife grows, the oath he swore her begins to suffocate. It soon becomes clear that while he'd once been prepared to settle for a loveless marriage, he will not abide an unrequited love."
"The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand it?
When Juliana Issot's godmother invites her to spend the month of Christmas at a house party in Yorkshire, Juliana feels compelled by affection to accept. Never mind that she escaped Yorkshire at first chance to secure a more glittering match in London and that the only matrimonial prospect back home is her childhood playmate, Willelm.
Willelm Armitage is a born-and-bred Yorkshireman, and as far as he is concerned, Juliana belongs here, too-here at his side. However, the one time he dared to convince her of this, she speedily gave him the right-about, making him question whether she truly is the right choice for him. After all, if she cannot see how well they suit, why should he force her hand?
A Christmas house party with pudding, games, charades, riding, and carols turns out to be just the thing to remind Juliana of how much she loves Yorkshire. But when her nostalgia slips into love, will she be able to admit that Willelm knows the longings of her heart better than she knows her own?"
"She wants to be left alone with her family's castle. He wants to show off the home he has just inherited. Neither of them can win.
Marianne Edgewood is perfectly capable of running Brindale Castle, if only the task would be left to her. A centuries-old house of stone is solid, unchanging, whereas people are not to be relied upon. It matters little that a stranger inherited the castle. She must simply find a way to stay.
At last, fate has been kind to Peregrine Osborne, and he has won the approval of his baron uncle, his London friends, and the deed to a castle in Kent. He certainly deserves his success after suffering a series of setbacks through no fault of his own. If only the property's comely resident, Miss Edgewood, didn't stand in the way of his urgent attempts to bring the castle to its proper glory.
When Perry embarks on a whirlwind renovation of Brindale, Marianne proves to be confoundingly resistant to his efforts. As Perry finds it increasingly difficult to make her see things his way, he begins to question whether having his way at all costs is worth forcing Marianne from everything she has ever known. And Marianne must decide whether a cold pile of stones is truly a replacement for a warm, beating heart."
