She’s been groomed to make the best match possible so she can help the two elderly aunts who raised her stave off poverty. So why is it one moment in the presence of the dashing Chas Prestwick, and she’s ready to throw propriety to the wind? The black sheep of the family, Chas excels at shocking Society with his wild wagers and reckless carriage racing. But his bravado masks a bruised and lonely heart. Can the sweet-natured Anne convince him to take the greatest risk of all—on love?

    But Gil's mother happily sees more to their bond than either yet realizes. And when the two innocents are caught in a deceptively compromising situation, she wastes no time in using it to her advantage -- and theirs....Soon enough, the pair find themselves no less than engaged -- and no less than panicked at the very idea. But in a case of mother knows best, what seems a tender trap may free two stubborn hearts....

    On the other hand, society would reel in a scandalized shock at the idea of Ellen donning Gordon's student robes to do his work. But an even greater scandal loomed when a handsome lord in humble scholar's disguise learned Ellen's secret and set out to give her a most advanced lesson in love...

    

    Lady Felicity Vane 19, unwilling client, lures unwitting Lord James Bremmer. Lord Ravenswood 30s quietly donates his town furnishings and servants despite his fiancée Betty.

    Then she learns she's paired with Robert Knightley . . . the fiancé who walked away.Gaelen Foley: The Imposter BrideLady Minerva must ensure her country's princess is wed to handsome Prince Tor. Then the bride bolts, and bridesmaid becomes—bride!Loretta Chase: Lord Lovedon's DuelWhen Chloe Sharp hears the handsome Earl of Lovedon say her sister's royal marriage is a match made in money, she challenges him to a duel—for love and honor.

    It is there he meets, in a rather surprising fashion, Lady Francesca and her lovely, if volatile granddaughter, Miss Consuela Jones.Determined to discover who murdered Consuela's father, it seems these two interlopers have made themselves at home. The mystery, Consuela avows, has to do with this estate. And much to his dismay, Jack indeed discovers some devilish doings at the old manse. Moreover, he cannot help but discern that the lovely Consuela is as enticing as the riddle of Alabaster Royal!Patricia Veryan is a winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times

    Marcus knows he resembles his distant cousin, realises he must be a constant reminder of her husband - so perhaps his absence for months while he settles the affairs in the West Indies is for the best. Passion flares between them on his return but he cannot persuade Marissa to marry him. Does she still cling to the memory of her late husband or is something more sinister behind her reluctance? Marcus's wayward young sister, the arrival in England of his former lover and the threats of Marissa's father make Marcus's search for the truth, and Marissa's struggle to trust, that much more difficult - but when their relationship reaches a crisis that trust is all they have.

    But for Ella Quinn’s eligible bachelors, their brides will show them that rules are for the weak of heart…Phoebe Stanhope is not a typical Lady. As feisty as she is quick witted, no one can catch her, especially astride a horse. And unlike her peers, experience has guarded her against a growing list of would-be suitors. But when she encounters Marcus Finley, what she fears most burns deep within in his blue-eyed gaze…For Lord Finley, the spark of recognition is but a moment in the love he has held these many years. Now that he’s returned to England, all the happiness he desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned her heart so cold and distant. He must work fast to gain the advantage—to convince her what she wants is exactly what she denies—but in order to seduce her into his arms, he must be willing to give up more than he can control…

    Can she risk telling the truth?Prudence's MysteryA marquess and a lady must avoid rumors and scandal while solving a great mystery.Josephine's TruthIs there a chance of reconciliation between Lady Josephine and Lord Farrington?Lucinda's FreedomMiss Williams is in great danger. But, what can Lord Wiltshire do to help her when she is so determined to stay away from him?If you love sweet, Regency romances with strong heroines, suspense, and cozy mysteries, then you will love the London Temptations romance collection.

     The stories in this collection, because they all happen in Upper Nettlefold, have things which happen, that influence the other stories. So the order in which they are presented here aligns with the timeline in which events in the stories happen. Read through this collection in order, and you will find that each story builds on the ones before, weaving the magic of community and interconnection between characters. There is also a map of Upper Nettlefold to help you visualise everything as you read. Although each story can stand alone, we’re sure that you’ll love finding the linkages as you go. This is our first visit to Upper Nettlefold, but it won’t be our last. You may see other collections based here, or you may see individual books from the various authors, but we will keep expanding the stories about the people you’ll first meet in this collection. The Viscount’s Summer Love A new Viscount with old secrets, a baker’s daughter, love thwarted, the threat of murder, a dramatic revelation, a long-held love finally returned. The Duke and the Spinster A Duke who needs to marry, a Lady who expects to never marry, a summer house party, a nefarious plot, gossip designed to harm, a desperate adventure, a love that redeems. Stitched in Love A seamstress who struggles to sew, a blacksmith beset by admirers, an accident with a dress, a runaway horse, a situation saved – barely, an unexpected love. Love Finds the Earl An unmarried Earl, a reserved widow, a clever sister, a social occasion, an accidental meeting, shady business dealings thwarted, a second chance for love. Doubting the Marquess An unrepentant rake, a woman more interested in business than men, a meeting, jealousy, an accident, a revelation that leads to love. The Degenerate Baron A fearless schoolteacher, a Baron lost in grief and despair, a collection of degenerate friends, a near accident that leads to a meeting, a reminder of past pain, a love beyond fear. Escaping the Scurrilous Earl A merchant’s daughter, a lonely physician, a thoroughly unscrupulous Earl, a debt called in, an impossible choice, an escape, a threat, a rescue, and a new love found. Esther, the Earl’s Hellion An orphaned young woman, a gentleman working undercover, a boarding school with a new owner, a despicable scheme, a rescue, a trap set to save, a dramatic conclusion, a fated love found. A Gentle Heart A spinster employed as a companion, a gentleman of means, a social opportunity, an act of kindness, a misunderstanding, a long hoped for love.

    Until she meets the most notorious rake in London, the Earl of Branford, who seems determined to win her favors by any means. Bored and restless, Branford has accepted a wager: seduce Miss Alexandra Chilton. Unaware that Alexandra is an Innocent—and that he's being used as a pawn in a nefarious game—Branford is surprised when Alexandra challenges both his intellect and jaded heart. Passion flares, scandal threatens, and suddenly it's no longer a game, as a cunning enemy seeks to destroy their blossoming love.

    When her father gambles away his fortune, the duke's only chance for recouping his losses lies in marrying off Lady Helen to any man wealthy enough to take a bride with nothing to recommend her but a lovely face and an eight-hundred-year-old pedigree. Enter Mr. Ethan Brundy, once an illegitimate workhouse orphan, now owner of a Lancashire textile mill and one of England's richest men. When he glimpses Lady Helen at Covent Garden Theatre, he is instantly smitten and vows to marry her. But this commonest of commoners will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to win the heart of his aristocratic bride.

    What's a man-hating bluestocking to do?Enter the Earl of Wycliff, who offers her financial security for life. All she has to do is travel across England posing as his wife. They're both hiding secrets – not the least of which is their budding love for each other

    But, despite the intrigues of war, the mystery of the lovely young woman washed ashore near his Cornwall estate is one he cannot resist. With the ragged remains of a treasure map concealed in her chemise and no memory of who she is and how she got there, the dark beauty is an alluring puzzle he must solve.Fighting her powerful desire for the man who has sheltered her, Jewel Bona struggles both to remember her past and imagine what her future might hold. But when a British officer claiming that he is her uncle threatens to expose her to terrifying danger, she turns to Adam for protection ... and passion.Fleeing to America aboard Adam’s ship, the two cannot deny all that they feel in each other’s embrace. But the shadow of war and a scandalous connection to an infamous pirate loom like a powder keg over their dreams of love--a love each will risk everything to keep alive...