Best of
Regency-Romance

2004

These Old Shades / Devil's Cub


Georgette Heyer - 2004
    Then, from a dark Parisian back alley, he plucks Leon, a redheaded urchin with strangely familiar looks, just in time for his long over-due schemes of revenge on the Comte de St. Vire. Among the splendours of Versailles and the dignified mansions of England, Justin begins to unfold his sinister plans -- until, that is, Leon becomes the ravishing beauty Leonie... Unanswered questions.Lovely, titian-haired Leonie, ward of the dashing Duke of Avon, had all Paris at her feet. Yet her true origins remained shrouded in mystery. And neither the glittering soirees nor the young aristocrats who so ardently courted her could still the question that plagued her young heart.What was her mysterious parentage?Just one man held the secret, the one she feared most in the world--the iron-willed Comte de Saint-Vire, deadly enemy of the Duke. He would give her the answer--for a price. But could she betray the man she secretly, helplessly loved? And could this proud young beauty bear to face the truth when it came?Devil's CubDominic Alistair, Marquis of Vidal is a bad lot a rake and seducer, reckless, heedless, and possessed of a murderous temper. He is known by friend and foe alike as the "Devil's Cub." Yet as the handsome and wealthy heir to a Dukedom, he is considered a good prospect on the marriage market. Vidal currently has his eye on the young, lovely, and unintelligent Sophia Challoner, and Sophia's greedy mother is more than happy to encourage his dubious attentions.When lovely, saucy Mary Challoner had practiced her hold deception upon the hot-blooded, fiery-tempered young Marquis of Vidal--substituting herself for her young sister he had thought to carry off to France--she had little notion he would grimly hold her to her part of the bargain. Now he had left her, and she was alone, a stranger in a strange land, prey to the intrigues of glittering, heartless, 18th century Paris.Only one person could rescue her--the Marquis himself. But how could she ever trust this man? How could she even hope to overcome the contempt in which he held her? And how could even the sudden flowering of her love ever bridge the terrible gap between them?

The Bride's Necklace


Kat Martin - 2004
    Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Easton, the scandalous Earl of Brant.The sisters’ arrival couldn’t have been more welcome. In need of a new mistress, Cord turns to Tory, whose wit and intellect intrigue him. But when the baron discovers the girls’ whereabouts, Cord learns Tory’s secret—her noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must decide—marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.

Never Seduce a Scoundrel


Sabrina Jeffries - 2004
    Charlotte Harris, headmistressLady Amelia Plume has many admirers -- it's too bad they're all fortune hunters and fops who can't provide the exotic adventures she seeks.But the ballrooms of Mayfair have become much more appealing since the arrival of Major Lucas Winter, an American with a dark past and a dangerous air. Lucas is brash, arrogant -- and scandalously tempting.Every thrilling kiss sparks hotter desire, yet Amelia suspects that Lucas has a hidden motive in wooing her. And she intends to discover it, by any means necessary

Tessa's Touch


Brenda Hiatt - 2004
    and touched his heart. Tessa Seaton has a special gift with horses; with a word and a touch, she can tame and train even the most unbroken and unmannerly of beasts. But when handsome Lord Anthony Northrup gallops into her life, she finds herself faced with a far greater challenge than any horse ever posed.Anthony first assumes Tessa is helping her unscrupulous uncle to sell half-broken horses to unsuspecting gentlemen, but as he comes to know her, he realizes she is motivated by love —for her crippled father and for the horses she trains. Charmed by her spirit and independence, Anthony determines to free her from the trap her uncle has woven so he that can claim her for himself.Tessa’s Touch is loosely linked to my “Saint of Seven Dials” series, featuring some of the characters you may have met in those four books, though not technically a part of that series. It was originally published under the title Taming Tessa.

A Wicked Wench


Anne Herries - 2004
    But while Nan immediately sets her sights on an older but extremely wealthy bachelor, Arabella is not content to marry purely for money. She firmly believes in true love and is sure she can find a husband who will both provide for her financially and satisfy her romantic desires . . .

Monday's Child


Georgeanne Hayes - 2004
    Flemming should have ranked as one of the highlights of her life. Unfortunately, it turns out to be no more than a brief reprieve. From that moment, Flemming resolves to claim her as his wife, and her aunt is determined to support him, thus removing the 'threat' to her own daughter's happiness. Demi is in no position to fight either of them, but their determination brings out her rebellious streak and leads her straight into the waiting arms, and bed, of one of England's more notorious rakes, Lord Garrett Wyndham. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content and mild violence and attempted rape.

Courting Trouble


Nonnie St. George - 2004
    Fell, at your service. The women of the ton call me cynical, accuse me of gambling, drinking, seducing, and wanting to marry only for money. Guilty as charged. As for romance? Pure twaddle invented by brooding spinsters. Thank heavens for Arabella Swann. With her sharp wit, strong will, keen intelligence, and utterly delightful fortune, she'll make a perfect wife for me--as soon as she gets over her ridiculous notions of romance and realizes it. After all, I am a duke and devastatingly handsome and charming. It's not as if she could possibly find a better suitor than me.Except for that pestilential Lord Stonecraft. The sap remembers Arabella's favorite flowers and perfume. He even writes epic poetry. He's everything she's ever wanted, damn him. Now that he's wormed his way into her affections, how can I possibly compete with such romantic perfection? And how will I ever prove to Arabella that this cynical duke no longer cares a whit for her fortune (heaven help me)...but only for her heart...