Book picks similar to
Friday Dreaming by Elizabeth Bailey
historical-romance
regency
virgin-hero
romance
The Spinster and the Duke
Jillian Eaton - 2013
Their lives should have ended in happily-ever-after, but he was destined to be a duke and she was the third daughter of a baron. Curtailing to his mother’s demands, Reginald broke the engagement… and Abigail’s heart.Thirty years have passed since then. Now a confirmed spinster, Abigail has forgiven the boy she loved, but she has never forgotten the man. When Reginald unexpectedly returns to England she wants nothing to do with him, fearful of stirring up old feelings that should have died long ago.Reginald made the worst mistake of his life when he left Abigail. She is the only woman he has ever loved, and he is willing to risk everything to get her back. But once lost trust does not come easily, and Abigail is reluctant to give her heart away a second time. Can Reginald and Abigail come to terms with their painful past? Or are some second chances best left untaken? Find out in The Spinster and the Duke, the newest novella from historical romance author Jillian Eaton.
His Lordship's Vow
Cheryl Bolen - 2012
Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks—even though she's always worshipped a lord who's far above her touch. . . Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honor the deathbed vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone's help in wooing her beautiful cousin. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she's doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth. But the more he's with the two cousins, the more attracted he becomes to Miss Featherstone. What's a man of his word to do? Break a vow to a beloved father—or follow his heart with Miss Featherstone?
How the Scot Was Won
Caroline Linden - 2021
James has no wealth, no status, and no suitors. Thankfully, she’s happy with her family, her friends, and her beloved shop, the place to buy fine silks in Edinburgh.Felix Duncan has a thriving legal career, connections, and ambition. What he doesn’t have, despite his father’s prodding, is a wife. Fortunately, he’s content with that.Until their paths cross, and suddenly both realize they want more. Agnes is astonished—and thrilled—that such a charming, handsome fellow is flirting with her. Felix is astonished—and bowled over—that his friend’s younger sister has grown into such a clever beauty. It looks like Fate—until a scandalous indiscretion and a shocking inheritance threaten to spoil any chance of happily-ever-after...
Guilty Pleasures
Laura Lee Guhrke - 2004
Anthony hired Daphne to restore the priceless treasures he has been digging up, but it's hard for a woman to keep her mind on her work when her devastatingly handsome employer keeps taking his shirt off. He doesn't know she's alive, but who could blame her for falling hopelessly in love with him anyway?Anthony thinks that his capable employee knows all there is to know about antiquities, but when his sister decides to turn the plain young woman in gold-rimmed glasses into an enticing beauty, he declares the task to be impossible. Daphne is devasted when she overhears...and determined to prove him wrong. Now a vibrant and delectable Daphne has emerged from her shell, and the tables are turned. Will Anthony see that the woman of his dreams has been there all along?
A Matter of Marriage
Ann Collins - 2013
She must marry within six months of his death or lose her livelihood and beloved home, the 400-room Hotel Grand Victoria on the shores of San Diego’s Coronado Island. Julia is determined to manage the hotel even though her bold choice raises eyebrows. Finding no way around the stipulation, she begins her search for a husband, unaware that someone in her midst wants her out of the hotel forever. Dead.Alex MacLean, an emotionally and physically scarred drifter with secrets, arrives at the storybook-style Hotel Grand Victoria in answer to an advertisement for carpenters. A job offer for the position of husband is not what he had in mind. However, he can’t resist appointing himself protector of the hotel’s beautiful owner when an attempt is made on her life. His attraction to Julia grows quickly, but Alex wants love and a family, not a marriage of convenience. Not only that, Julia doesn’t know about his past, and Alex wants to keep it that way. This sensual historical romance novel has approximately 76,000 words and is about 309 pages in length.
A Christmas Charade
Karla Hocker - 1991
Elizabeth Gore-Langton was hardly in a position to refuse to accompany Lady Astley to the Christmas party at Stenton Castle. After all, a paid companion must follow her employer's wishes. It scarcely mattered that Elizabeth would be forced to face the man who had unknowingly broken her heart years ago during her first season. Most likely, the Duke of Stenton wouldn't even recognize her. But once she looked up into his dark, piercing eyes, she knew this was a man who forgot very little and forgave even less. Well, she was no longer a blushing schoolgirl, and the dashing duke would soon find that a broken heart, once mended, could be formidable, indeed! Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task—provided he kept his wits about him and didn't get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol… or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. She was hiding something, to be sure, and Clive liked nothing better than unveiling a lady's secrets!
Best Laid Schemes
Emma Jensen - 1998
It happens all the time.""That is not a lady, madam. That is Sibyl Cameron." So says Tarquin Rome, a rather stiff, superbly handsome earl who has been harassed by this irrepressible mishap-prone chit since boyhood. Why then would his mother invite Sibyl to his artfully planned house party? Why, indeed. The lofty earl is hardly likely to notice that the beautiful Sibyl is no longer in pinafores and pigtails--especially since he has invited three Incomparables from which he will choose his bride. But when embarrassing and awkward moments transpire at his gathering, Tarquin can only blame Sibyl. Which hardly explains his increasing desire for her company--and her affection. . . .
The Duke's Wayward Ward
Claudia Stone - 2018
Help is at hand, albeit from an unlikely source, when it transpires that her father has appointed his greatest enemy to be her guardian. The Duke of Liscarroll is a cold-hearted brute whom Emma spars with at every turn, but soon their angry altercations turn to something else entirely... Peter William Brazil, Sixth Duke of Liscarroll, finds himself strong-armed by his mother into accepting Lady Emma as his ward. Though he is loath to have anything to do with the Percival family, he does want to get his hands on the priceless manuscript the late Earl bequeathed him in his will, on condition that he finds Lady Emma a suitable husband. Peter fully intends to have Lady Emma married off and out of his house within a fortnight, but there's something about the fiery, young lady that sparks his interest and soon he's not sure that he wants to let her go at all. When someone attempts to shoot him and the ton label Emma as the prime suspect, Peter knows that he must clear her name before he makes her his bride. The only problem is, there's more than one person with reason to want him dead, and his bride-to-be is less than enamoured with the idea of becoming his... Can these two warring enemies find the culprit and a happily ever after? Find out in the sweet, Regency Read!
The Pirate & I
Katharine Ashe - 2017
Years ago, Miss Esme Astell fell hopelessly in love with Charles Brittle, an unassuming and highly respectable London bookmaker.Then he disappeared without a word.The last thing Esme ever dreamed was to meet Charlie again—In a dark alleyway—In a drenching rain—In a chase with the police—In Scotland.Can she resist falling again, this time for the dangerous scoundrel he’s become?
The Noble Hearts Box Set
Callie Hutton - 2019
He’s looking forward to grandbabies and the company of Lady Crampton, the woman who acted as chaperone and companion to his daughters the past four years—and stole his heart in the meantime. Except she is moving out of his house!Thus begins Lord Pomeroy’s quest to convince Lady Selina to marry him so they can celebrate their own happy ending. In time, Lady Selina’s twin daughters, Lady Phoebe and Lady Prudence will confront their own romantic mishaps and adventures on the way to wedded bliss. Read their stories in this Regency romance boxed set overflowing with heat, heart and humor.The Noble Hearts Series Box Set Books 4-6 includes:For the Love of the LadyFor the Love of the DukeFor the Love of the Gentleman
The French Maid
Sabrina Jeffries - 2011
Despite her involvement in his various public appearances, she feels shut out of his life, especially with their one-year anniversary looming. When Henry hires a highly recommended French lady’s maid without consulting her, Eleanor’s anger can't be contained—until she meets her. With Babette’s help, Eleanor arms herself with the one weapon that will make Henry notice her as a woman—her inner siren.
The Viscount's Runaway Bride
Ruth Ann Nordin - 2016
So when Miss Damara Onslow intercepts his carriage on his way to his country estate, he’s immediately drawn to both her bold spirit and her beauty. Even more exciting is the offer she makes: money in exchange for marriage. More than happy to get out of the marriage he was dreading, he agrees, and soon they are husband and wife. From the moment they exchange vows, it appears as if he's found the perfect lady, and his marriage is the love match he's always wanted. But not everyone is happy about it. To make matters worse, he never thought to ask Damara why she was so eager to get married, and the truth might be the undoing of them both. Don't miss all of the books in the Marriage by Bargain Series! Book 1: The Viscount's Runaway Bride Book 2: The Rake's Vow Book 3: Taming The Viscountess Book 4: If It Takes A Scandal
Distinguished Rogues Book 1-3
Heather Boyd - 2012
Come along on the journey as each wicked rogue seeks his one true love in this special edition boxed set.Chills (Book 1): Constance Grange has always clashed with the haughty Marquess of Ettington but nothing prepared her for the peril of choosing a husband that fails to meet his approval. Chills is a lively tale of reckless spending, fraudulent correspondence, and the humorous twists and turns of falling for the right rogue…Broken (Book 2): Unrepentant rogue Giles Wexham, Earl of Daventry, is dedicated to avoiding needy women, and marriage. During his summer retreat, he becomes reluctant nursemaid to Lillian Winter, his former betrothed. Shy, fragile Lilly tempts him but to claim her Giles must expose the dangers her past—before it’s too late.Charity (Book 3): Darling of the ton Oscar, Lord Carrington, has thoroughly lost his way but knows what he needs to be happy. However, righting past wrongs isn’t easy and he’ll have to risk scandal to make everything right again for the woman he loved and lost.Three complete stand-alone novels.Distinguished Rogues Series (also available as collections)Book 1: Chills (Jack and Constance)Book 2: Broken (Giles and Lillian)Book 3: Charity (Oscar and Agatha)Book 4: An Accidental Affair (Merrick and Arabella)Book 5: Keepsake (Kit and Miranda)Book 6: An Improper Proposal (Martin and Iris)Book 7: Reason to Wed (Richard and Esme)Book 8: The Trouble with Love (Everett and Whitney)Book 9: Married by Moonlight (Gilbert and Anna)Book 10: Lord of Sin (Julian and Portia)Book 11: The Duke’s Heart (Sinclair and Kitty)Book 12: Romancing the Earl (Price and Lenore)Book 13: One Enchanted Christmas (Otis and Meg)Book 14: Desire by Design (Alexander and Sylvia)Book 15: His Perfect Bride (Harry and Ophelia)Book 16: Pleasures of the Night (Teddy and Eugenia)
The Mad Countess
Erica Monroe - 2017
Claire too harbors a secret desire for him--but a witch cursed her family with madness, and she's terrified she'll only hurt him if they act on their feelings. When a will reading at a mysterious castle in Cornwall brings them both together on All Hallows Eve, they'll work to break her family's curse...and find true love.----This novella was previously released in the Mystified anthology.The Gothic Brides series: edgy, atmospheric Gothic Regency Romance, exploring the dark, twisted corners of England--these books are not for the faint of heart. The Gothic Brides battle tortured past and face dangerous, suspenseful circumstances on their road to a hard-won happily ever after. Each book stands on its own.THE MAD COUNTESSTHE DETERMINED DUCHESSTHE SCANDALOUS WIDOW
Once Upon a Wedding Boxed Set
Kelly McClymer - 2012
But when an attempt to help her star-crossed brother goes awry, she finds herself married to the Duke of Kerstone. Can the hopeless romantic Miranda prove to her impeccably proper husband that fairy tales really do come true?The Star-Crossed BrideEver a gentleman, Viscount Valentine Fenster steps aside when the woman he loves, Lady Emily Wertherly chooses another man. When he discovers Emily's fiance is a fortune-hunting murderer, Valentine tosses caution—and decorum—to the wind to save her. But he’ll have to move fast since the headstrong and highly-imaginative Emily is intent on saving herself…The Unintended BrideShy Hero Fenster loves two things—books and Arthur Watterly. But Arthur, the heir to a dukedom and pledged to another since birth, is the one thing she can never have—that is until the quest for a rare Arthurian manuscript and a night of passion in a bookshop change everything.The Infamous BrideNotorious flirt Juliet Fenster enjoys the delights of the London season far too much to consider settling down—particularly with a stuffy American like Romeo “RJ” Hopkins. But when the unlikely pair are cast in an amateur production of Romeo and Juliet, they find themselves doing far more than “playing” at love…