But, when made to believe Max could not be trusted, she fled...Now, Max is back in England to take up the reins as Duke of Rossenhall. And when he spies Ellen at a ball, the sparks are hard to contain! Little does Max know, though, that Ellen has a secret... And soon, he must learn to embrace an unexpected heir, and an unexpected--and disconcertingly defiant--duchess!

    Even if it means indulging her forbidden dream to take her place among the aristocracy. And even if it means battling Justin Culver, the Earl of Kern-the one man who can ruin her quest for justice.Arrogant and powerful, Lord Kern vows to stop Isabel. Yet, as they engage in a clash of wills, the fiery commoner threatens to breach the wall around his hardened heart. She alone can make him neglect duty and decorum: she alone can cause his downfall. And she alone can bring him to the heights of true love...or the depths of betrayal.

    Four sexy summer novellas from the award-winning authors of At the Duke’s Wedding. All stories previously published.Seducing the Single Lady by Maya RodaleSusannah Grey is enjoying life as London’s most sought-after heiress until the rogue she was supposed to marry unexpectedly returns, intent on wooing her for real.A Regency Romance inspired by the songs of Beyoncé. A Study in Scandal by Caroline LindenLady Samantha Lennox is fleeing an arranged marriage when she finds herself lost, accosted, and almost drowned, only to be rescued by a handsome artist...who makes her start dreaming of happily-ever-after. A Scandalous novella.Duchess of Scandal by Miranda NevilleThe Duke and Duchess of Linton have lived apart ever since the first disastrous months of their marriage, until they accidentally visit the same property at the same time and the undeniable passion between them sparks back to life.The Scoundrel and I by Katharine Ashe Gabrielle Flood just made the worst mistake of her life. Dashing Captain Anthony Masinter came along…and made it even worse. He’s the last person on earth who can help her fix it, but disaster may be exactly what they need to fall in love.

    Perhaps even deadly … Celia Fairmont’s new home on the wild coast of Cornwall is a sprawling ancient mansion steeped in history and deep, dark secrets. From the first night her dreams are plagued by images of clandestine meetings with a handsome, reckless lover. The man in her visions looks disturbingly like the oldest son of her new guardian, the Earl of Ashbourne, but there the resemblance stops. Phillip Leighton is practical to a fault and too preoccupied with estate business to even notice her presence. Phillip Leighton does not have time for illogical romantic fantasies about his father’s young ward. The very lovely Miss Fairmont is unsophisticated and innocent—not at all suited to be the next Countess of Ashbourne. And besides, he is practically engaged to a titled widow. But erotic dreams disturb his nights, and by day she preoccupies his thoughts, and he finds himself fascinated against his will. Phillip can’t seem to keep Celia out of his head—or out of his arms. When a series of puzzling accidents begins to happen, he knows with chilling certainty that their future is on a collision course with the past…

    Everyone knows the wicked earl is looking to wed, but only his childhood friend, Anne, knows his secret. Despite what society believes, he's not a devil--not really. Not at all. Of course, he's no saint either. He's a man. One she hopes will solve all her family's financial woes by marrying her eldest sister, the only sibling not tainted by scandal. But the earl has other plans. While Anne's sister is the safe choice, she's not the one who makes his pulse race. There's only one who can tame his wicked ways, but choosing Anne will thrust her into the type of scandal she's tried so hard to avoid. Can a devil like him ever win an angel?

    But the infectious good humor and radiant smile of the young Lady Jillian soon melted Max's resisting heart --- binding them together with the promise of loving friendship. DIVINE TEMPTATIONThe passing years have transformed Jullian into a stunning and sensuous woman, while circumstance has shattered a time-honored alliance, turning lifelong friends to bitter foes. Now Max is duty bound to smash to bits the cherished dreams of his childhood love. But Jillian has already risked much for her beloved --- her brother's wrath, her reputation, her life itself. And she is determined to let nothing extinguish the flames of her all-consuming passion which, once ignited, must burn forever.

    But the one thing this wealthy Earl’s daughter is lacking is the very thing she’s never considered to be a priority: finding a husband. When she overhears a jealous matron refer to her as being “on the shelf”, she fears she’s postponed marriage for far too long. Brash American Derek Lang has arrived in England, determined to complete two tasks on his growing list of priorities: purchase inventory for his family’s business and clear his grandfather’s name. What he hadn’t anticipated is abandoning his crusade to help a damsel in distress with a charade intended to make Beau jealous. Will their scheme work, or will it lead to something far too real?

    The hero in all of her tales is one Nathan Carruthers, Earl of Basingstoke. The rumors surrounding his wicked assignations are beyond anything she could dream of, and once enhanced by her wild imaginings, she’s created a lover no man could live up to. Basingstoke has ignored the rumors about his romantic scandals for the most part, accepting them as part of being a single gentleman with a title. In one way, it’s kept the marriage-minded mothers from thrusting their daughters into his reach. Although a staunch member of the Wicked Earls’ Club and enjoying his carefree ways, he admits he’s reached an age when he would like to marry. Luckily, those supposed scandals aren’t keeping away the woman he’s grown to love--Lady Phoebe. When Basingstoke discovers Lady Phoebe’s diary, he blames her for creating the rumors. Hurt to the bone, he wants nothing more to do with her. Heartbroken, she goes in search of the real rumormonger. Can she prove her innocence and regain Basingstoke’s love?

    If anyone discovers her writings, they'll find scandalous fantasies involving the newest rake in Town alongside entirely-too-candid thoughts about her typical dreary suitors. Aurora will either be forced into a loveless marriage with the first nodcock to make an offer, or she'll be assigned a permanent position on the shelf. What catastrophe will God smote down upon her next?If Niles Thornton, Baron Quinton, desires to maintain any semblance of his current lifestyle, he must fulfill the requirements his grandfather, Lord Rotheby, has set for him. When he is nearly barreled over by a racing curricle and a journal lands at his feet, his troubles are over. Inside the journal’s pages, Quin discovers a scandal waiting to happen. Surely a young lady who would write such brazen things in a journal must recognize the necessity of a hasty marriage, even if the gentleman making the offer is less-than-honorable.In a drunken haze, Quin kisses Aurora on a crowded ballroom floor, necessitating their immediate marriage. His troubles are only beginning, as Aurora's writings are soon the focus of both gossip rags and drawing room conversation. When word arrives of an even greater scandal following in his wife's wake, will he prove himself a drunken abuser like his father or the loving husband of Aurora's fantasies?SAVING GRACEThe blasted man will not stop following her. Well, he isn’t following her…not exactly. They are just always thrown together, and he is everything she wants but can’t have. It is downright infuriating—especially when he kisses her.Lady Grace Abernathy has been ravished and left pregnant. This would not be such a gargantuan problem if Lord Alexander Hardwicke would simply stay away from her as she asked. But leave it to her meddling Aunt Dorothea to continually thrust the two into each other’s company against both their wishes. These distractions are more than a lady should be forced to bear.Alex left London to visit his deceased father’s oldest friend, Lord Rotheby, and to get away from his mother and her matchmaking schemes, only to run into more of the same at every turn. But the more time he spends in the company of Lady Grace, the less he finds himself able to ignore his growing attraction—and his burgeoning need to protect her. Must he cause a scandal in order to protect her from one?MERELY A MISSMiss Jane Matthews feels completely out of place amongst the finery of the ton. She’s the daughter of a country vicar, for goodness sake, and nearly a spinster to boot. But when her distant cousin—a dowager duchess, of all people—offers to sponsor her for a Season in London, she agrees, but only so she can search for a storefront for her business. Perhaps, in that regard the Season won’t all be in vain.The widower of a loveless marriage, Peter Hardwicke, the Duke of Somerton, has already done his duty and provided an heir for his dukedom, so he sees no reason to remarry. Taking a wife would only mean adding a new responsibility to his already too-full schedule. He’s more than busy enough keeping his family in line—not to mention sorting out the myriad problems plaguing one of his estates.But when Lord Utley, a childhood friend who has been on the wrong side of Peter’s ire for many years now, takes an unlikely interest in Jane, Peter has to intervene. He’ll be damned if he’ll allow Utley to ruin yet another life.

    Now, unless the Duke himself-or a convincing imposter-supports the old man's lies, the angry townsfolk will drive Goldie and her kinsman from their village. With luck--and Goldie's infallible "duke lessons"-the secretive stranger she encounters while bathing might fool the doubting locals. But little does the feisty, determined miss realize that handsome Saber West is, in fact, the very lord she wants him to impersonate-or that his gentle virility will awaken in her a passion beyond measure, embroil her in a danger beyond imagining…and fulfill the rapturous promise of a love beyond dreams!

     NOTE: This novella was originally written and published as a part of the once limited edition The Hearts of Courage box set, where proceeds went to Walter Reed Army Hospital. I hope you enjoy reading this Beauty and The Beast inspired story.

    The Duke’s Wicked Wager Complete Regency Romance Series Lady Evelyn Evermont is an avid horsewoman. But since the death of her father it seems Evelyn’s sole responsibility is to prevent her brother Frederic from squandering the family fortune with his drinking and gambling, though he is assisted in his vice by his rakish friend, the Duke of Pemberton. Her brother thinks marrying Evelyn to a rich old Marquis will improve their fortunes, but the man is twice Evelyn’s age. In her desperation, Evelyn has made a wicked wager with the handsome Duke, that her mare can beat his stallion in a turf match race. The Duke says a mare can never beat a stallion, but he takes her bet, commenting that it is only handful of horses…but those horses are Evelyn’s life, and all she has left of her father. Now it seems she has gambled her heart along with her beloved horses and stands to lose far more. Embark on a wild race for horses and hearts. A wicked wager made in haste, a stolen kiss, an unsuitable suitor and a tragic tumble threaten everything Lady Evelyn one held dear. She and the Duke will struggle with passion and pride and learn that maybe one is not worth the other. Will Evelyn lose her prized horses, or will she lose her heart? Either way the stables of Evermont will never be the same. Promise Me: The Duke’s Wicked Wager is a Regency Romance Novel set in 1811-1820 and is marked by witty banter, balls, hunts and country house parties, much like Jane Austen's famous Pride and Prejudice. Enjoy The Duke’s Wicked Wager Complete Collection.

    Until Ivy Dean appears on his doorstep…and he finds out that, through IVF, she’s bearing his heir!Surrogate Ivy agreed to carry her best friend’s baby. Then tragedy forces her to seek out the child’s biological father. But when Nazir insists on her hand in marriage, she’s shocked. Always unwanted, virgin Ivy didn’t see a family in her future…much less with an iron-hearted husband who makes her burn dangerously hot!

    The bemused stranger stayed to capture the fancy of the brood of orphaned children in her charge, then stole Lauren Hill's heart with a searing kiss as he left. Lauren couldn't tell him she was a widowed countess fallen on hard times. She tried to forget him--until she saw him again at a London ball. The man who haunted her dreams was a duke, out of her class...and he was pledged to another woman. The ton is ablaze with talk of the ravishing Bavarian countess. Stunned, Alexander Christian, Duke of Sutherland, recognizes Lauren as the country girl who's captured his heart. Duty has forced him to pledge himself to another, to take his proper place in society and in Parliament. He wants one night with his blue-eyed enchantress, but will he be able to walk away from her again, or will he risk it all to be with the woman who fires his blood and makes him think of a . . . Wicked Angel.

    But he’s always hidden in his library, too shy to emerge into society from the shadow of his larger-than-life friends and family. When he’s asked to investigate a crime, he seizes the chance to prove that he’s as cunning and brave as anybody. But he’s quickly out of his depth in London’s underground; especially when he’s confronted with the prettiest thief he’s ever seen. Em Stackpole lives an in-between life; she grew up on the streets, but preys on the Ton by using her skills at illusion to fit in among them at elegant Mayfair events. When Lord Westfield asks for her help finding a missing jewel, she strikes a bargain: she’ll help him learn to think like a criminal if he’ll teach her the magic she needs to get off the streets for good. Falling in love was never part of the deal. But as Em and Thomas navigate magic, Mayfair, and Thomas’ charmingly interfering family, she’ll discover secrets she never knew she had, and the wizard and the thief will have to decide if they can ever be more than just partners-in-crime.