Book picks similar to
The Study of a Rake by Kathleen Ayers
historical-romance
historical
novellas
novella
Miss Amelia Lands a Duke
Sandy Raven - 2014
And the man her aunt is stalking is none other than the wealthy widower, the Duke of Caversham. Horrified by her aunt’s behavior, Amelia decides to hide away in their host’s library and gardens for the duration of their visit. On an evening walk through the maze she meets an older gentleman who intrigues and arouses her. She flees without learning his name, only to stumble across that same handsome gentleman in the library days later, where to Amelia's astonishment, he kisses her. And she kisses him back! Amelia and the duke are caught in their passionate embrace by her aunt. Embarrassed at her own wanton behavior, Amelia flees the room believing he’s used her to avoid her aunt. After confronting her aunt, the duke does what he believes is the honorable thing and makes plans to marry Amelia. Only he never asks her.
A Duke Under Her Spell
Emma Linfield - 2019
And in her eyes, he found his own...
For as long as Marybeth Wright could remember, the imposing ruins of the ancient castle had always been a place of comfort. With knowledge of herbs and a small cottage passed down to her from her late grandmother, she spends her days in the quiet seclusion of the woods. For Felix Hulford, Duke of Arkley, curing his ailing mother is his life’s purpose. Growing increasingly desperate, he decides to enlist the help of the old sage of the forest, only to discover that there’s nothing old about the striking healer that appears before him. But she seems to be carrying a curse, for her arrival triggers a series of baffling happenings. Determined to discover who is behind the attacks on his sick mother, Marybeth and Felix come face to face with their worst fears. And it all seems to be connected to Marybeth’s parentage and Blackleigh Castle’s fabled treasure…
The Impossible Governess
Margaret Bennett - 2013
She must earn her own way in the world, but her good looks and aristocratic upbringing make it near impossible for her to maintain a position. Her last hope is governess to Lord Raynor's five year old niece, a sullen and tantrum prone orphan. Now Georgeanne finds her biggest challenge is not losing her heart to her employer.As Georgeanne's third employer in four months, Lord Raynor is amazed by her success to control his troubled niece. Yet, no servant has ever tried his patience more. One minute he’s tempted to wring the governess’s beautiful neck for her antics. Then he’s consumed with the desire to take her in his arms.
The Mountain Man’s Mail-Order Surprise
Karla Gracey
His connections to the tribe and his birth heritage meant he was perfectly suited to move between the white towns and the tribe to trade. However, his confusion as to whether he is a white man as he was born, or Native American as he was raised means he never feels connected to either community. So, he lives alone, between the Indian settlement and the small town of Iron Creek and only goes to either one for supplies/to trade/or the saloon to gamble. But he’s lonely and so he advertises for a bride.Katy Jones is young and alone in Mississippi. Her family have disowned her because she fell in love with the wrong man, married him and followed him from her home in Richmond, Virginia, as he had found work in New Orleans. He died in the 1878 Yellow Fever epidemic. Somehow, she managed to survive unscathed.She is desperate with nowhere to flee in order to get away from the epidemic. She writes to a number of men, and Garrett is the only one who writes back to her before her fear of the disease forces her to flee.Will Garrett and Katy form a destiny together? Or will a secret she is keeping jeopardixze their future together?
A Marquess' Forbidden Desire
Lucinda Nelson - 2019
But when the masks fall, hearts will break.
When Lady Marianne Purcell visits Bath for a holiday to escape her sister’s temper and her mother’s scheming, she finds herself at a country fair. Masked and eager to pretend to be someone she’s not, she meets a gentleman who also disguises his identity. Intrigued and liberated by rouse, she meets the man at the fair every evening for three nights. They dance. They laugh. They kiss. And they fall in love. When they part ways at the end of their three nights together, she thinks she is leaving behind a shy townsman and returns to Mayfair with a sore heart. But when her sister introduces her newfound fiancé, Marianne soon realizes that she made a grave mistake. The masked man had not been a townsman. The masked man was Lord Alexander Redmond, the Marquess of Riversdale. And her cruel sister’s fiancé. With the help of her beloved friend, can Marianne persuade Alexander that love prevails over duty? And in the face of his father’s expectations, can Alexander prioritize his happiness over his fear of disappointing his father? Being so tender-hearted, will Marianne put her conniving sister’s materialistic desires over her own heart? Without their masks, Alexander and Marianne are different people. As they try to navigate the minefield of expectation and duty that surrounds them, will the love they felt at the country fair reign victoriously? Only time will tell. If you like thrilling characters, steamy and unexpected twists, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “A Marquess' Forbidden Desire!” Get “A Marquess' Forbidden Desire” and let the breathtaking story of Marianne and Alexander unravel today!
His Amiable Bride
Kasey Stockton - 2019
Guarding her heart, she determines to make the most of her loveless relationship and find a friend in her husband. Adam Arnett does the only thing he knows for certain will remove a title-hungry flirt—he marries her sister. It doesn’t take long before he finds himself attracted to his new bride, but when her sister tries to throw a wrench in their budding relationship he must fight to protect their blossoming affection.***PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS: To Be Loved By the Earl
Unwrapping a Rogue: A Christmas Regency Boxset
Tammy AndresenKelly Ann Bruce - 2018
This set includes:Her Perfect Rogue by Amanda Mariel When Julia Honeyfield is sent away to a brothel, she runs away…only to find herself in the Duke of Selkirk's arms. Dare she trust him to protect her?Christmastide with my Captain by Tammy Andresen Lady Emilia McDougal has watched love find each of her beloved sisters. When will it be her turn? Captain Jack Andrews lost his love of the sea long ago and he doesn't deserve to find the love of his life.Secluded with My Hellion by Dawn Brower In the midst of the blizzard, Gavin Barrington, the Earl of Havenwood, and Lady Odessa Lynwood must overcome the earl's worst fears and figure out if their love can conquer the challenges they must face.The Rogue's Seduction by Lauren Smith Can the Devil of London, Viscount Darlington, save London's favorite lady, Perdita, from a dangerous marriage by claiming her as his own?How To Marry a Rake in Ten Days by Samantha Holt Miss Manners knows all there is about etiquette. Unfortunately, she does not know much about love. Challenged by one of her readers to become engaged by Christmas, she sets out to find herself the perfect match. She does not wager on meeting a rakish lord who promises to get in the way of her plans.Wagering on Christmas by Sandra Sookoo Rakish Colin Rowley, Viscount Hartsford is going home for Christmas to win a wager. Widowed Lucy Ashbrook, facing reduced circumstances, is forced to travel with him. During the four-day journey, mysterious events throw them together, compelling them to remember their emotional-ridden past. Only the magic of Christmastide can rekindle a love they couldn't forget.Prince of Christmas Past by Angelique Armae A second chance at love forces Prince Victor of Countavia to choose between the woman of his heart and his father's kingdom.Marchioness' Second Chance by Arietta Richmond Olivia Asterwood, Marchioness of Hemsbridge, is two years widowed, and focusing all of her energies on finding a wife for her son. Until, that is, she meets a scholar with as much of an obsession for the history of the great families as she has. Edward Greenidge, third son of a Viscount, has spent his life as a scholar of genealogy. Burying himself in his research has seemed the safest path, after his one venture into marriage failed disastrously. A widower, he expects to spend the rest of his life in libraries, in the company of books. But fate has other plans. When they meet, common interest paves the path to intense and unexpected attraction -and together they discover secrets long held, which will change both of their lives.Can Olivia see past her longstanding beliefs about love? Can Edward overcome his doubts, and admit his feelings? Or will the past steal the future from them?A Marquis For Marianne by Catherine Bilson Relieved widow Marianne has vowed never to let a man have power over her again, but Alexander Rotherhithe, Marquis of Glenkellie, never stopped loving her despite their tragic shared past. Can Marianne look past her fear and dare to love again?
And an exclusive new title from Kelly Ann Bruce
The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown
Julia Quinn - 2003
but its former occupant as well!Contains:One True Love by Suzanne EnochTwo Hearts by Karen KawkinsA Dozen Kisses by Mia RyanThirty-six Valentines by Julia Quinn*All Lady Whistledown columns written by Julia Quinn
Ex-Spinster by Christmas
Cheryl Bolen - 2016
She is determined to be an ex-spinster by Christmas. To that end, she has invited a prospective suitor to spend Christmas with her family. She knows very well that Lord Brockton would love to get his hands on her dowry, and she’d love to be a married woman with a home and family of her own.The very idea of his Lady Caroline throwing herself away on the likes of the vile Lord Brockton rankles Christopher Perry. A pity he cannot offer for her himself, but a duke’s daughter is too far above his touch, given his family’s humble origins. Nevertheless, Christopher attends the Duke of Aldridge’s Christmas house party with the intention of thwarting Lady Caroline’s grave misalliance with Brockton. If only he’s not too late . . .
The Forbidden Duke
Darcy Burke - 2016
Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel’s excessive charm nearly a decade ago, she’s lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn’t be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation... Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal, is known as the Forbidden Duke, a mysterious, intimidating figure who enters Society just once each year at his stepmother’s ball. A decade ago, he was a devil-may-care rake until his idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart—and his resulting self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she needs his help. But by “saving” her, he may just ruin her life all over again.
The Baron Without Blame
Katherine Grant - 2021
Even though he was only freeing her skirts from the railing. Even though he doesn’t know her name. The next morning, he faithfully offers for her hand in marriage.Lolly Turner has nothing against Lord Preston. He is handsome, kind, and honorable. Yet she can’t bring herself to marry a man solely because of gossip. When she knows she should say yes, she says no. Instead, they concoct a false engagement: they tell the world they plan to marry, while in reality Lolly will jilt Martin once the scandal has died down.Martin invites Lolly and her family to spend the Easter holiday at his country home to keep up appearances. As he and Lolly spend more time together, they share visions for the future and realize they both hope for a world very different from the one into which they were born. But when Lolly’s father catches wind of their shared politics, he changes his mind about the wedding. Which means it is up to Lolly and Martin to choose: should they do the right thing, or follow their hearts?
Where the Stars Meet the Sea
Heidi Kimball - 2020
A fiery young woman. Neither one's heart will come away unscathed.Juliet Graham fervently counts the days until her twenty-first birthday, when she can claim the inheritance that will grant her the freedom she has always craved and the guardianship of her younger brother. Until then, she is trapped under her aunt Agnes’s domineering will. When forced to accompany the family to a house party at Shaldorn Castle, Juliet’s only objective is to keep to herself. That is, until a chance encounter with a boorish stranger stirs up an unexpected whirlwind of emotions in her. Thrown off-balance, Juliet does the unthinkable: loses her temper and insults the man—who turns out to be her unwilling host, the Duke of Halstead. Fully expecting to be sent away, Juliet is surprised when the brusque and callous duke instead takes an interest in her. Drawn to the duke in unguarded moments, Juliet finds herself more and more intrigued by the man who shuns Society’s rules as completely as she does, and over the next few weeks, their unlikely friendship deepens into a connection neither expected. But even as Juliet comes to recognize her true feelings, her scheming aunt issues an ultimatum that threatens the future she was just beginning to hope for. Juliet must choose: either break the promise she made to herself years ago, or lose the man who has captured her heart and soul.
The Space Between
Diana Gabaldon - 2012
Yet her decision is less a matter of faith than fear, for Joan is plagued by mysterious voices that speak of the future, and by visions that mark those about to die. The sanctuary of the nunnery promises respite from these unwanted visitations . . . or so she prays. Her chaperone is Michael Murray, a young widower who, though he still mourns the death of his wife, finds himself powerfully drawn to his charge. But when the time-traveling Comte St. Germain learns of Joan’s presence in Paris, and of her link to Claire Fraser—La Dame Blanche—Murray is drawn into a battle whose stakes are not merely the life but the very soul of the Scotswoman who, without even trying, has won his heart.
King of Libertines
Pam Godwin - 2020
It doesn’t spoil the main story.
The Devil of Dunmoor
Meggan Connors - 2017
Twenty years after enduring captivity as a prisoner of war, he has withdrawn from society, living ensconced at his estate. He takes no visitors and no risks. He needs nothing and no one, finding comfort in his solitude, with only his demons to keep him company. That all changes the day Catherine Kirkcaldy arrives on his doorstep. The governess for the children of the late Earl MacLendon, Cat has come to the estate of the enigmatic Duke of Dunmoor to inform him of his new status as their guardian. Despite her initial misgivings, she finds herself drawn to this contradiction of a man, a man with a fearsome reputation but a kind heart no one is allowed to see. A single letter exposes a shared connection with their pasts, setting Ethan and Cat on a path of danger and revenge. But even as Ethan pursues retribution for the past that should have never been, he finds himself falling for Cat, a woman with a ready smile and an open heart. Can he bury his long-held demons in exchange for a future with Cat? Or will he forever be the Devil of Dunmoor?