Book picks similar to
Last Dance in London by Sydney Jane Baily
historical-romance
historical
free
romance
All You Need is a Duke
Bianca Blythe - 2020
And he's going to find her a husband.When Margaret Carberry’s mother drags her upstairs at a ball, Margaret does not expect her mother to tie her to the bed and lock the door. Unfortunately, Margaret’s mother has taken it upon herself to declare Margaret compromised—whether or not Margaret wants to resort to such tactics to snare a husband. Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington, is surprised to encounter a half-clothed woman sprawled upon his bed. He is even more shocked to discover her identity. Margaret Carberry is renowned as an incorrigible wallflower, not a seductress, no matter how appealing her bare flesh is against his bedding. When Margaret declares she won’t go along with her mother’s scheme and will find a husband on her own, Jasper vows to assist her, lest Margaret’s mother concoct another method to arrange a compromising situation. Jasper is certain of one thing: he has no desire to marry. As Jasper works to match Margaret to a fellow duke, the prospect of a forced marriage with her lacks its earlier loathsomeness. Perhaps he missed his chance for true bliss.
Bargaining With a Rake
Julie Johnstone - 2012
Now, faced with an unwelcome marriage that will chain her to London and the secret slowly killing her, she’s desperate to save herself and the sister she adores. Salvation comes in the form of an American shipping tycoon, and all she must do is seduce him into marrying her. But Gillian’s scheme hits a snag when she makes a bargain with a notorious rake, Alexander Trevelle, Lord Lionhurst. He agrees to help her win the hand of his American friend, if she’ll assist him with exacting revenge against her unwanted fiancé. But the price of the pact may just be their hearts.
A Scandalous Portrait
Callie Hutton - 2021
. .The Earl of Huntington (Hunt) is a silent partner in a successful gambling hell run by his two brothers. A well-respected member of the ton, he moves about in Society as an unknown agent for the Crown on its most sensitive matters.Lady Diana is a long-time friend of Hunt's with the ability to embroil herself in difficult matters that require his assistance. Once again she needs his help, but this situation could be a major scandal if discovered.Against his better judgment, Hunt agrees to her scheme, but this time the circumstances cause him to see the woman he’d always considered just a friend in a different way. The passion and desire that sparks between them must be squelched since she would never do as his Countess. . . .Scandal follows her every move.
An Earl for the Broken-Hearted Duchess
Lucinda Nelson - 2019
Lady Margaret Baxter lost her husband, the Duke of Lowe. He was found dead at the hands of his mistress and now Margaret wants to bury her head in the sand. She decides to escape with her six-year-old son Ezra, away from the scandal. The country residence in Comptonshire seems the only choice. Lord Nathaniel Sterling recently returned from the Navy to take over his position as an Earl since his older brother died, a position he despises as much as the peerage in general. He was heartbroken once and he has no intention to marry soon. His only goal is to build a school for the poor, until he saved a little boy from an accident and sought help from a stranger, Lady Margaret Baxter, and he immediately fell in love with her. But he is an Earl and she is a Duchess, and most importantly, she is a widow in mourning. Both of them cannot resist their burning desire to connect. As much as they want to keep distance in order to avoid scandal again, she is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. As they navigate these obstacles and more, among friends and foes, another force comes into play and threatens to tear them apart forever. As they try to overcome their past heartbreaks and their fear of love, they are left with one question: Will rank, reputation and deception win out? Or can love truly conquer all? If you like thrilling characters, steamy and unexpected twists, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “An Earl for the Broken-Hearted Duchess!” Get “An Earl for the Broken-Hearted Duchess” and let the breathtaking story of Margaret and Nathaniel unravel today!
A Duke's Desire
G.L. Snodgrass - 2020
The man risked his life to save her. What woman wouldn’t fall in love. From London’s lowest rung. A penniless Miss Ann Parker is perfectly aware that women such as herself are never admitted to his world. That won’t stop her from dreaming. The Duke of Bedford had one simple rule. Never allow the weak to be mistreated. He and his friends may live lives of privilege. But with that comes responsibility. However, that does not include matrimony. Especially not to the less than brilliant ninnies his mother is constantly pushing on him. In order to forestall his mother’s efforts, the Duke needs someone to make her second guess her plans. If he can convince her he is thinking of marrying a commoner, perhaps she will decide that it is better that he not marry than betray their class. In need of a pretend heiress to work the deception. The Duke turns to his maid, Ann Parker, for her help. A woman from the wrong side of life, yet a woman of intelligence, natural grace, and charm. With help and a little luck, she may be able to help him avoid a disastrous marriage. Like Cinderella, Ann is exposed to a magical world. His world. But every moment is a reminder that it is a man and a world she cannot have.
Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #1
Elizabeth Chater - 2013
The fantastic notions and romantic heroes contained in those books are the only thing that distracts her from the abuse of her adopted family. But then a mysterious stranger, the Earl of Austell, finds they have a mutual malady of boredom, and he endeavors to rescue them both.THE DUKE'S DILEMMAAfter losing their parents in an accident, older sister Leslie Endale, her two younger sisters, and her brother Daryl, the nine-year-old heir to the Endale estate, run away from their wicked cousin, March Wardell, who is trying to do away with the young heir so that he may capture the earldom for himself. Leslie leads the young orphans to the ruined mansion of the Duke of Kenelm, Drogo Trevelyan, who has not entered the much-hated premises since his father died. Drogo discovers the Endale children in his home seeking refuge until they can reach their Great-aunt in London. Much to his chagrin, Drogo becomes entangled with the children's plight and more specifically with one certain Lady Leslie.THE RANDOM GENTLEMANBelinda is arranged to marry the Duke of Romsdale, but rather than acquiesce to tradition, she flees to Devon. She soon discovers that the Duke is in pursuit of her, and, disguised as a gypsy, he's endeavoring to win what he believes is his birthright: her heart.THE MARRIAGE MARTAthena always has her nose in a book, despite her grandmother's insistence she find herself a husband. Her grandmother has a plan, take her to London, transform her from an ugly duckling into a swan, and marry her off to the first bachelor too dumb to recognize her intelligence. Her plan backfires when Athena meets the Duke and a social blunder turns them into instant enemies. As her grandmother had feared, the Duke is thoroughly threatened by her Bluestocking smarts, and his campaign to slander her in polite society may mean she'll never be married.
The Duke’s Scandalous Bluestocking: Historical Regency Romance
Lorena Owen - 2021
His rakish lifestyle has provided him with every pleasure possible, but now it’s time to settle down. To find his future duchess, he decides to hold a secret dinner party. But the ladies have an impossible task; leave their homes unchaperoned. Certainly from those brave enough to attend, he will find a woman worthy of his attention.Alice Egerton is a helpless romantic. Reading her books and keeping a low profile is her cup of tea. But when her sister decides to leave their house unchaperoned, she is ready to do anything to prevent her ruination.This roguish duke is definitely one to stay away from.Surprisingly, the only lady who catches Henry’s attention is neither a debutante, nor a diamond of the first water, but a bluestocking hiding inside his library, making fun of his eccentric way of choosing a bride.As the only woman who has ever resisted his charm, he decides that he should win her. What a task it would be to unplug the wallflower…He set her body on fire, she burned his rakish past…
Enchanting the Earl
Kathy L. Wheeler - 2021
The lights are too hot, the corsets too tight. It’s enough to make one faint.Thorne Gray, the earl of Kimpton, has no interest in debutantes, but what the devil is he supposed to do when one swoons at his feet? He catches her before she hits the floor, of course. An intriguing performance to be sure.But a scheming and powerful aunt, determined to see her niece settled before her death, threatens Lorelei’s opportunity to enchant the man of her choosing.
The Waylaid Heart
Holly Newman - 1990
Suspecting the culprit traveled in society circles, she diverts attention from eavesdropping and prying with constant and tiresome complaints of illness.But nothing is as it seems...Sir James Branstoke sees straight through Cecilia's feigned fragility. Intrigued by her odd behavior, he believes she has secrets—secrets that could lead to her demise. So, the hunter follows the huntress through society, never imagining that what has started as a chance inquiry could lead to a surprising love greater than either had ever known.But will the cost of uncovering a murderer be too high? Can Cecilia and James reveal the culprit so love can blossom in the end?
Triumph and Treasure
Collette Cameron - 2014
He lived an idyllic life…
One day, Flynn, Earl of Luxmoore, was a wealthy, carefree lord, courting the woman he intended to wed. And the next day, he’s stripped of all but his title and left with no means to care for his loved ones. When the person responsible for his ruination offers him a solution—marriage to an unwilling and resentful American beauty—he has no choice but to accept. Not if he wants to care for his ailing mother, elderly grandmother, and disabled sister.
Fate dealt her a cruel hand…
Angelina Ellsworth unwittingly committed bigamy, and when she finds herself pregnant, she’ll do anything to protect her baby. Including fleeing to England and marrying a handsome nobleman, every bit as desperate and opposed to their marriage of convenience as she. She agrees to wed Flynn, stipulating two conditions: the union is in name only, and after a year, they’ll go their separate ways. Except, Angelina didn’t count on her first husband, refusing to let her go.
Resentment and anger war with passion and desire…
Flynn risks his life to protect Angelina from the madman pursuing her, but is his sacrifice enough? Can a woman who’s vowed to never trust a man again and an embittered lord find contentment in an arranged marriage neither wanted? Historical romance at its best! This sigh-worthy Scottish Regency by a USA Today bestselling author will have you reaching for the tissues! You’ll eagerly escape into this page-turner and cheer as Flynn and Angelina take a chance on love. If you enjoy reading arranged marriages, love stories packed with suspense, a dash of humor, and heartwarming emotion, then you’ll adore Collette Cameron’s passionate HIGHLAND HEATHER ROMANCING A SCOT Series. Buy TRIUMPH AND TREASURE today and settle into your favorite reading nook for an unforgettable historical romance escapade you can’t put down. Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order. HIGHLAND HEATHER ROMANCING A SCOT: Triumph and Treasure Virtue and Valor Heartbreak and Honor Scandal’s Splendor Passion and Plunder Seductive Surrender A Yuletide Highlander CHECK OUT COLLETTE’S OTHER SERIES: Castle Brides Heart of a Scot Seductive Surrender The Blue Rose Regency Romances: The Culpepper Misses The Honorable Rogues™ Wicked Earls’ Club
In His Eyes
Peggy L. Henderson - 2015
When a tragic accident claims her father’s life, Katherine is left to deal with an overbearing mother whose agenda does not include a young daughter. Fate deals her another devastating blow, leaving her to face an uncertain future far away from everything and everyone she’s loved. Trace Hawley used to push the limits of the law, and no one was going to plan his future for him. The death of the man who always had his back leaves him to finally face responsibility. The promises he made a decade ago have shaped him into the man he is today, and will bring him face to face with the one girl from his past he always tried to avoid. After a ten year absence, Katherine returns to the ranch she once loved to discover the shocking reason her mother summoned her home. Surprised to find Trace still at the ranch, her childhood infatuation grows into something far stronger as he challenges her to lead the life she once wanted, but seems to have forgotten. When Katherine is forced to make a choice between saving her father’s dreams or following her own, Trace might be the only one who holds the key to both. ***Content Warning: This book contains mild language, mild violence, and adult situations including physical intimacy, and is intended for mature readers.
A Dangerous Pursuit
Laura Beers - 2021
A spy. And a love worth fighting for.Welcome to book 1 in the exciting new series Regency Spies & Secrets from bestselling author Laura Beers.Miss Madalene Dowding was devastated when her mother died, leaving her all alone. To honor her mother's legacy, she decides to use part of her fortune to open an orphanage. When a teacher at the orphanage goes missing, Madalene takes it upon herself to start looking for her, even if it means taking her deep into the unsavory parts of London.Baldwin Radcliff, the Marquess of Hawthorne, is working on his last case as an agent of the Crown, since he is about to retire and take up his seat in the House of Lords. He is tasked with finding a French spy that is in league with a growing group of radicals. As he searches for the enemy, he discovers a meddling heiress that keeps stumbling in at the most inopportune times, making him wonder if she is perhaps the spy he has been sent to find.Despite mutual dislike, Baldwin agrees to help Madalene, but only if she stays far away from the investigation. A promise that Madalene has no intention of keeping. Will headstrong Madalene and duty-driven Baldwin be able to work together, especially since so much is at stake?
Will Baldwin choose between saving the Crown or saving an obstinate woman that he has unwittingly fallen in love with?
The Earl of Excess
Anna St. Claire - 2021
Claire!Colonel Matthew Romney, a favored son with the British military, is gravely wounded during the Battle of New Orleans. With most available British forces dead and his weak pleas for help muffled beneath the dead soldier he lies below, the British report him missing in the aftermath.Bethany Phillips and her dog visit the Villeré Plantation’s gardens searching for herbs and food and unexpectedly become caught in the crossfire of grapeshot and cannon fire and forced to take cover until the battle ends. When the smoke clears, Bethany follows the sound of a man’s moans and pulls him from beneath a pile of dead soldiers being readied for a mass grave. Bethany saves Matthew’s life but, in doing so, threatens her heart and her own life.Against all odds, sparks fly between Matthew and Bethany. A hired investigator for his father finds Matthew and encourages him to journey home. Matthew and Bethany leave the safety of her home and travel a dangerous path through the wilderness of America and across a ravaged, war-torn ocean to reach his family.
Can their romance survive the dangers and uncertainty that follow them?
Thistles and Thieves: Highlander Romance
Elizabeth Preston - 2017
Her job is to pull a valuable warlord out of his black hole. The king wants Laird Tam out of the doldrums and back doing what he does best: killing in the name of Scotland. Juliette reluctantly agrees to the king’s task, because she has no choice. Lady Juliette is sweet, sassy, and determined, but also a little spoilt. She knows she’ll cope with the bleak north, the boredom and the barbarous Scotsmen, but when these two hundred days are done, she’s bolting back to England as quickly as her silk slippers will take her. Juliette underestimates the Scottish Highlands. She greatly underestimates Laird Tam. And there’s something else she doesn’t realise: the Highlands are never boring . . . “We’re going into the sea, Juliette.” “No, no, no . . .” “Aye, we are. You’re a strong Sassenach, remember that. You’ll survive this shipwreck.” “No. I won’t . . .” “I’ll find you, my darling, I’ll always find you . . .” Then the wave hits. Now Lady Juliette must survive the sea, the Irish outlaws, runaway nuns, and the ancient Caledonian Forest. Not to mention her growing attraction to Laird Tam . . .
Breaking the Rules
Ruth Ann Nordin - 2020
She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal. Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr. Morris' attention, and now he’s looking for someone else to marry. Determined to get him back, she hatches a plan to make him fall in love with her again. And doing so will require her to start breaking some rules. Hurt by Miss Lowell’s rejection, Mr. Roger Morris is seeking out another lady to court. But after endless social engagements, it starts to become clear to him that no one can take her place. Whether he likes it or not, he is doomed to love her. She is the perfect lady for him. But the last thing he wants to do is give in, especially when she creates a scandal that forces him to marry her. This might just be a match made in hell. Or maybe, quite possibly, heaven…as long as Lilly can figure out a way to make things right.