Letty


Clare Darcy - 1980
    Sludge, high-spirited Letty runs straight into the arms of dashing, slightly disreputable Harry Tyne. The two of them have an adventurous winter in Vienna, during which time Letty falls madly in love with Harry and almost inadvertently sets him on the path to regaining his place in London society.

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!

The Capricorn Stone


Madeleine Brent - 1979
    But suddenly, their father was dead--and worse--revealed as a notorious jewel thief.Forced from their home, shamed, and virtually penniless, they began their lives again in London, unaware that they held the secret to a fabulous fortune...

The Governess: a classic Victorian gothic romance


Camille Oster - 2016
    That she would have to travel all the way to Hungary sent nerves twisting inside her gut, as would meeting the mysterious count who would now be her employer. Unable to speak the language or with much to guide her, she found her new home nestled in remote mountains where hungry wolves prowled outside a dark and drafty castle scared by a long history and recent tragedies.

Lady of Mallow


Dorothy Eden - 1960
    She was not really a governess. But she alone knew that Blane, the man acting as Lord of Mallow, was not really a lord either. Each was seeking to unmask the other. She thought she knew why she was playing this dangerous double game. But why was Blane? Soon she began to doubt her own claim as Blane asserted his - over her. Set in Victorian England.

Once Upon A Wallflower


Wendy Lyn Watson - 2013
    After all, the man has left a trio of dead young women in his wake, including his first fiancée. A Gothic Villain…Expecting to scare the chit away within five minutes of meeting him, scarred and brooding Nicholas, the Viscount Ashfield, is intrigued by the unfashionably lovely Mira, but his family’s dark secret means he must fight his attractions. No matter what his heart wants.As the wedding approaches, Nicholas and Mira grow ever closer, yet so does the very real danger. Will the truth bring Nicholas and Mira together or tear their love apart?

His Majesty, the Prince of Toads


Delle Jacobs - 2006
    But even before he learns the circumstances of his inheritance, he encounters her at a New Year's gala. Shock sets in as he realizes the most beautiful woman in England is the same gangly, calf-eyed chit who tricked him into marriage six years before. That's not how Sophie remembers it. She wishes fervently she'd had the sense not to scream when the drunken scapegrace crawled into her bed at her Uncle Harry's house party. True, she'd had a secret tendre for the handsome wastrel, until his scathing denunciation of her after their forced wedding. Then he went off to war without even consummating their union, and for six years she heard nothing from him. Now the toad offers her forgiveness in exchange for his presence in her bed? Revenge comes more to mind.And so the battle of wits begins. And the harder they fight it, the more they fall in love.

Aurora's Pride


AnneMarie Brear - 2012
    A sweeping historical saga of love and loss. Aurora Pettigrew has it all, a loving family, a nice home, a comfortable life. She’s waiting for the right man to offer her marriage, and the man for her is Reid Sinclair, heir to the Sinclair fortune and the love of her life. But, Reid’s mother, Julia, is against the match and her ruthlessness unearths a family secret that will tear Aurora’s world apart. Unwilling to bring shame on her family and needing answers to the allegations brought to light by Reid’s mother, Aurora begins a long journey away from home. She leaves behind all that is familiar and safe to enter a world of mean streets and poor working class. Living in the tenements of York, surrounded by people of a class she’d never mixed with before, Aurora struggles to come to terms with the way her life has changed. By chance, she reconnects with a man from her past and before he leaves with the army to war in South Africa, he offers her security through marriage. Aurora knows she should be happy, but the memory of her love for Reid threatens her future. When tragedy strikes, can Aurora find the strength to accept her life and forget the past?

Moura


Virginia Coffman - 1959
    Once there, Anne found herself fascinated by Edmond, the brooding surly master of Moura.

Speak Only Love


Deana James - 1991
    But the sight of the heiress his father was forcing him to wed sobered the viscount's dissolute soul. Her silvery blond hair and flawless pale skin could lure a man to madness. Not that Vivian Marleigh would be a willing bride; her hatred for him shone clearly from eyes the color of moonlight on water. But she could not very well refuse. Long ago, the shock of her mother's death had robbed her of the power of speech, and the delicate beauty could not say what was in her heart. It was up to Piers to spark the fires that would melt her icy reserve, and teach her the pleasures that await those who seek only passion and Speak Only Love.

The Wicked Marquis


Barbara Cartland - 1973
    He was a man whose sudden and passionate kiss had stirred Orelia's deepest desires.She was alone in the world. The only family she had was her cousin Caroline-a beautiful woman who lived a wild and impetuous existence. Hardly the proper guardian for Orelia.But then, one day, Caroline announced her engagement. She was to wed the Marquis of Ryde. Handsome and irresistible, he was one of the wealthiest men in Regency England. Perhaps now the family would be secure:But Orelia was in for a surprise when she met the Marquis. For she knew him as the dark, mysterious man who had secretly won her heart months before at the George and Dragon Inn . . .

At the Earl's Convenience


Maggi Andersen - 2009
    The handsome earl confesses that he needs to marry into money to save his crumbling estate, Halcrow Hall, and produce an heir. Giles is the most interesting and fascinating man Selina knows. But he is also the most secretive. He has resigned his commission in the army while England is at war, and members of the ton cut him. Because of the earl’s rakish reputation, Selina fears she may be leaving her calm, organized life for one of disorder and heartbreak. But she never expects what lies ahead.First published as Love and War, a short story, but has been extensively rewritten.

The Demon Lover


Victoria Holt - 1982
    But when the Baron presents her to Parisian society as the painter, Kate finds herself basking in the recognition . . . until she discovers that the Baron has plans for her — shocking plans that will change her life unless she can fight the Baron with his own weapons . . .

Mistress of Willowvale


Patricia Veryan - 1980
    WE HAVE PARTS TO PLAY, YOU AND I-YOU MAY LOATHE MY EVERY FIBRE, BUT WE MUST APPEAR TO BE DEEPLY IN LOVEOnce, Leone believed that her marriage to the handsome Christopher, Lord Aynsworth, would be her every dream come true. But the shivers of anticipation with which she had once awaited her wedding night turned to dread at the mere thought of the man now addressing her as husband. Everything was all so terribly wrong between them. Leonie had dreamed of no one but Kit and their life together, even when the war had taken him from her. Even when she had suffered such terrible disgrace . . . she had still dared to dream that one day they would be together. And then they were married. In his eyes, too, her innocence had turned to shame. And his love for her was dead, replaced by a cold, hard pride she could not melt. So much had happened they could not change. Or forgive.Until, in spite of themselves, they began to fall in love. All over again . . . .

The Unusual Story of the Silent Duchess


Emma Linfield - 2018
    On just such a dark night, a mysterious voiceless girl arrives at the doorstep of the powerful Duke of Rutland, Neil Arnold. Thanks to her, his gloomy soul will see its first sunny days after a very long time. Her silence, though, hides secrets, and whatever evil force made her run for her life that dreadful stormy night is coming after her... The Duke, while still trying to find his way back to happiness, will have to find the strength to protect not only the mysterious stranger that stole his heart but also his innocent daughter. He can't afford to lose the ones he loves for the second time. But the danger is resting closer than he thinks as no one can be trusted.