"London society knows Lady Isabel Morrow as a proper widow, the devoted guardian to a young ward since her art dealer husband's violent death. No one would guess that Isabel discovered his scandalous secrets—and coped by sharing a passionate night with Callum Jenks, the handsome Bow Street Runner investigating the case.
Callum couldn't forget the beautiful widow, but a grocer's son and a marquess's daughter inhabit different worlds. He plunges into the ceaseless grind of his work, never expecting to see Isabel again. Yet crime brings them together once more, as Isabel seeks Callum's help when another potential scandal threatens her ward's prospects. Her late husband's trade in forged art will become known unless a false Botticelli painting can be quickly swapped for a true one. And who better to help Isabel make the switch than the skilled Bow Street Runner who once won her trust . . . and a night in her arms?
A Runner cannot break the law, even when the law seems wrong. But an old loss and a twist of fate have Callum rethinking his loyalties—and soon enough, he agrees to aid Isabel. As they plan an art heist together, partnership turns to passion . . . and passion turns to love. Once their scheme has ended, can they build a life together—or will their romance ignite the greatest scandal of all?"
"London society knows George Godwin, Lord Eastbrook, as a fun-loving rogue—but since a near-tragedy, George has preferred scientific experiments to scandal. Yet his favorite thing of all is matching wits with Cassandra Benton, a maddeningly clever investigator who works alongside her Bow Street Runner brother. Skilled and shrewd, the Benton twins once helped George's family, and he never forgot the irresistible Cass.
When a long-ago wager resurfaces to endanger the life of George's reckless father, George calls upon the Bentons again to identify the threat. An injury sidelines Cass's brother, so she and George concoct a new plan: Cass will investigate from within the heart of the ton by posing as his notorious (and fictional) cousin. It will mean days and nights at George's side, but the self-reliant Cass is sure she can resist the intoxicatingly attractive heir. If only he wouldn't keep making her laugh, and tempting her into wicked nighttime confessions . . .
As they find passion in each other's arms, love begins to bloom—but danger still surrounds them. Society says they have no hope of a future together. And as the case takes unexpected twists, they might soon have no future at all . . ."
"Lord Hugo Starling is having the worst day. Not only have funders rejected his ambitious medical plans—again—but his friend's younger sister has disguised herself as a boy to hunt for gold sovereigns stolen from the Royal Mint.
No. Absolutely not. Ridiculous.
Or . . . is it? Due to the terms of her parents' will, Georgette Frost is about to lose her bookshop home. If she can cross England in time to claim the Royal Mint's reward, her future will be secured. She invites Hugo to join her, for a share of the reward would allow him finally to bring his medical plans to life.
Fine. If he must. Just to make sure she's safe.
Georgette is resourceful and eager for adventure, and as they follow clues ever northward, they encounter a pickpocket, a Bow Street Runner, and inns with only one bed. The maddening woman is under his protection—but not even Hugo's iron self-control can resist forever. As he and Georgette test each other's mettle and share truths they've never confessed, they begin to lose their hearts.
They don't have time for that sort of thing. They just need to find the stolen gold; then they can finally go their separate ways. That's what they both want. Right?"
"Here in this collection are two enticing novellas from the pen of popular Regency romance author Theresa Romain.
In The Sport of Baronets, Hannah Chandler, raised at the heart of the Regency horseracing world, knows two things for certain.
First, the rival Crosby family cannot be trusted—ever. And second, she has just bought the champion colt, Golden Barb, for a fortune-making stakes race.
But when Hannah tries to claim the colt from handsome young baronet Bart Crosby, Golden Barb’s current owner, everything she believes falls apart. The prize colt is stolen—and with it go both families’ dreams of rebuilding troubled reputations.
Is Bart to blame for the theft, or is he truly as honest and determined as he seems? As Hannah and Bart rush to solve the mystery before race day, they uncover scandalous family secrets—and learn that enemies might just make the best lovers.
In The Way to a Gentleman’s Heart, a Regency lady begins a new life as a cook—but her first love wants a second chance.
Eight years ago, Marianne Redfern fled her country home when her first love, Jack Grahame, was forced to wed another. At a mysterious London girls’ school with secret classes, she learned the arts of cookery and self-defense. But she has no defense against Jack’s unexpected arrival two weeks before an event that will secure the academy’s fortunes.
Now a wealthy widower, Jack still has a wicked twinkle in his eye and a place in Marianne’s heart. When she gives him a second chance, he is at her side in the kitchen all day and the bedchamber all night. But forgiveness doesn’t come together as easily as a sauce, and the wounds of the past will either destroy the academy’s fortunes or ruin Jack and Marianne’s chance at a future."
"Everyone has secrets …
Though their horse-racing family is as troubled as it is talented, all of the Chandler siblings have found love … except eldest brother Jonah. Married four years ago and abandoned after his wedding night, single-minded Jonah now spends his days training Thoroughbreds—while his lost bride is a family mystery no one dares discuss.
And that’s just the way Jonah and his wife, Irene, want it.
The biracial daughter of a seamstress and a con artist, Irene has built a secret career as a spy and pickpocket who helps troubled women. By day she works as a teacher at Mrs. Brodie’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies; in spare moments she takes on missions that carry her everywhere from London’s elite heart to its most dangerous corners.
Jonah agreed to this arrangement for four years, until Irene’s family fortunes were made. After surviving on passionate secret meetings and stolen days together, now it’s time to begin the marriage so long delayed. But as these two independent souls begin to build a life together, family obligations and old scandals threaten to tear them apart …"
"Antiquities expert Evan Rhys might be a rogue, but he’s as loyal as can be. When he fell in love with Lady Kate Whelan at first sight, he hid his heart—because Kate was his lifelong friend’s new bride. And when a mysterious steeplechase accident in Ireland left Kate a widow, Evan fled to protect his late friend’s secrets … and tried to forget his unrequited love.
When Kate’s mourning is complete, she is determined to live anew—starting by clearing the debt that endangers her young son’s future. She seeks help at a race meet in Newmarket, where she is delighted to encounter her long-lost friend Evan. He agrees to accompany her back to Ireland, following a trail of false artifacts. Through travel adventures over land and sea—from stuck carriages to smutty antiquities—Kate’s feelings deepen, and the friends become lovers.
But once within the bounds of the Whelan estate, old secrets and betrayals are ready to come to light. And the truth could endanger not only Kate and Evan’s newfound love, but their lives …"
"Nathaniel Chandler is handsome and charming—and according to his father, that’s about all. Though the family fortunes depend on Nathaniel’s expertise throughout the Regency horse-racing world, a troubled past has broken the trust between father and son.
When an opportunity arises to lead a string of Thoroughbreds south from Newmarket for the Epsom Derby, Nathaniel jumps at the chance to prove his worth. His father agrees on the condition that his dependable new secretary, Rosalind Agate, makes the journey as well.
A female secretary is a bit of a scandal, but there’s no denying that Rosalind is clever and adept. She hides scars from a childhood accident that changed the course of her life—but the benefactor who once saved her now brings danger. With her own secret reasons for taking a post with the Chandler family, Rosalind joins Nathaniel on the road.
With travel comes adventure—and a blossoming romance that turns passionate. But even as Rosalind tastes pleasure for the first time, the end of the road beckons. After the Derby, she and Nathaniel must return to the old roles that entrap them. How can these two lovers ever build a life together?"
