Book picks similar to
The Unwanted Wedding by Barbara Cartland
romance
barbara-cartland
historical-romance
english
The Devil You Know
Sophia Holloway - 2017
Here we are, riding in the Park, and you are calmly discussing whether it would be advisable to seduce me, your wife. I should also say it does not sound very impulsive.' 'I do not know about “advisable”, I was thinking more “desirable”. I have the advantage of you, my dear. You have no experience of seduction, and I have a lot.' The Honourable Catherine Elford – Kitty – is presented with an awful choice. Either she is cast off, penniless, by her penny-pinching step-brother, or she marries the handsome Earl of Ledbury, who would be perfect were he not a serial womaniser, and the very man Kitty idolised when she made her debut in Society; idolised right up until she found him in a compromising situation with a married lady. Ledbury has only ever courted other men’s wives, and does not want a wife of his own. However, Kitty’s generous dowry, which will keep him from selling his beloved racehorses, proves too tempting. Following a swift ceremony and a disastrous wedding night, Kitty believes her only chance of survival is to make her head rule her treacherous heart. If she doesn’t fall in love with Ledbury, his waywardness cannot hurt her. For his part, Ledbury has spotted a spark in his ‘dab of a wife’, especially when he discovers their mutual love of horses, and sets out to woo her in the only way he knows. As Kitty begins to succumb to his seduction and believe that they have a chance of happiness together, Ledbury’s past starts to catch up with them. Kitty feels that all of London is watching her, gossiping about her, pitying her. Meanwhile, as Fate conspires to keep the couple from love and a proper consummation, Lord Ledbury becomes ever more frustrated and desperate, and his temper worsens. It’s a recipe for disaster. This witty and spirited romance casts an historical light on Regency Society life, and reveals that, despite the changes in social protocol, love and desire – and what they do to us – has not changed. Praise for The Devil You Know... 'The Devil You Know is an immensely satisfying read. Everyone loves a Georgian rake and Sophia’s hero doesn’t disappoint. Lord Ledbury’s as naughty as they come – enough George Wickham to set the pulse racing, with a civilising measure of Mr Darcy’s nobility to ensure you fall in love for all the right reasons…' - Annie Holder, author of Against All Odds Sophia Holloway is a military historian turned novelist, whose first interest was the Peninsular War, and who ‘grew up on Georgette Heyer’, so writing Regency feels very natural to her. She also writes medieval crime, and alternates between the two genres to keep both fresh.
A Very Unusual Governess
Sylvia Andrew - 2004
Employing the right governess is vital. Miss Petrie has the girls' support, while he has reservations. Unassuming and a little dowdy she may appear, but Edward suspects she's neither so humble nor respectful underneath!Independently wealthy Lady Octavia Petrie is on the verge of confessing that Edward has mistaken her for someone else. In a moment of sheer madness, prompted by his cynical attitude, she finds herself accepting the temporary position. From Lady to simple Miss—what has she let herself in for?
Under The Kissing Bough
Shannon Donnelly - 2001
But when wickedly handsome Geoffrey Westerley, Lord Staines, agrees to an arranged marriage with her, she knows her duty. Geoffrey makes it plain that he wants nothing more than a sensible wife and a Christmas Eve wedding to please his dying father. With a dearth of suitors, and her family's expectations weighing heavy, Eleanor agrees to the match, with one condition - a condition she cannot name or write upon her blank card. Despite Geoffrey's generous promise to give her anything her heart desires she cannot believe he will ever offer the only thing she truly wants for a Christmas gift - his love.As an earl's son, Geoffrey Westerley knows his duty and since he cannot have the woman he loved and drove away, he will have the bride his father intends. Geoffrey knows his passionate nature scared away one lady, and he is determined to treat his shy intended with respect and restraint. But when he finds Eleanor beneath a kissing bough, tradition demands that he pluck a mistletoe berry and kiss her. He never anticipated his bride's warm response, and as the wedding draws near he begins to see there is more to his bride than a quiet exterior. There may be enough to her, in fact, to heal a wounded heart, and a passion deep enough to match his own.
An Early Engagement
Barbara Metzger - 1990
As for Major Lord Stokely, anxious to return to Bonaparte's battlefields, he saw no reason not to marry the scrawny, wide-eyed chit, settle her at his estate with a list of mandates that, being an officer, he expected her to follow.Lady Em, however, never one to be leg-shackled, took to running the estate with her usual spirit and independence, blossoming from ragamuffin to beauty and becoming the toast of the town.So upon his return from the wars, her husband discovered he had yet another battle to win: the heart of his lovely wife!
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.
Friday Dreaming
Elizabeth Bailey - 1994
Caught between love and loyalty.Friday is bookish and plain, but she has secretly loved her childhood friend for years. The impossible happens when gorgeous Nick proposes, making her dreams come true. Only he isn’t behaving like a man in love.Disaster strikes when Friday learns Nick was forced into offering for her to save him from an unsuitable liaison. Her happiness in tatters, she breaks off the engagement. Can Friday’s true worth oust the attraction of her rival’s incomparable beauty? And will Nick learn to value what he’s lost before it’s too late?
A Chance Encounter
Gayle Buck - 1991
But Lord Humphrey makes Joan a proposal that is unthinkable to accept and impossible to refuse--to become a pawn in a marriage game that promises Joan anything except true love. Original Regency Romance.
The Bartered Bride
Elizabeth Mansfield - 1989
But he recalled having seen her exquisite face somewhere before--and he was sure Cassie had planned to ensnare him in marriage. Was his new bride a crafty schemer behind her shy demeanor?Cassie loved him from the moment their eyes met... Why was he determined to believe the worst about her? All she wanted was his happiness -- and his love -- no matter what the cost might be.
The Loner
Geralyn Dawson - 2008
She's a determined woman with trouble on her trail. They have a history they cannot deny and an attraction they cannot control. What they need now is a run of good luck....Cursed by tragedy, Logan Grey vows to live his life alone. But his willpower is tested by the alluring Caroline Kilpatrick. Caroline knows treasure waits within Black Shadow Canyon --- and it's not Geronimo's Gold. Desperate, she makes Logan an offer he can't refuse --- and together they battle outlaws, danger and desire ...But the ultimate battle is still to be fought. Now Caroline must risk it all to capture the love of a loner.
Master of Ransome
Lucy Walker - 1968
When Sara Brent starts work at a large cattle station her boss doesn’t seem very impressed with her. So his unexpected proposal comes as a great surprise.From the bestselling author of Australian outback romance. Over 12 million books sold worldwide.Sara‘s employer sends her to work as temporary secretary to his cousin, Greg Camden. But the master of Ransome station has little time for his new secretary. Meanwhile, the beautiful and sophisticated Julia has no problem getting Greg’s attention.Through hard work Sara shows Greg how indispensable she is. But she is shocked when he suddenly proposes a marriage of convenience. Will the arrangement be enough for a young girl with romantic dreams? And how will Julia react to their union?Can Sara and Greg’s marriage on business terms really work? Especially when Sara realises that her feelings for her husband are more than strictly professional.
Her Wedding Night Surrender
Clare Connelly - 2018
But while Pietro hides a devastating secret, can they ever have more than a marriage in name only?
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.
Lynne Graham's Brides of L'Amour
Lynne Graham - 2000
Here, in one fabulous bundle, is her entire three-part serial Brides of L'Amour in which three young friends find passion, heartbreak, vindication and ultimate happiness with powerful, exciting, sexy men who must first learn to open their hearts and give their trust. Bundle includes The Frenchman's Love-Child, The Italian Boss's Mistress and The Banker's Convenient Wife.
A Pressing Engagement
Anne Barbour - 1992
Aubin to pose as his fiancée. And Diana was forced to agree, as the handsome Earl had the power to send her to prison for a crime of which she was not guilty. Difficult as it was to tolerate the pretense, Diana knew that the earl always got what he wanted. Regency Romance by Anne Barbour; originally published by Signet
Before the Season Ends
Linore Rose Burkard - 2005
High society, the gentry, the working classes-they all knew their place. From coaches and curricles to Almack's and Regent's Park, from lorgnettes and quizzing glasses to Drury Lane and Pall Mall, it's all here, from chambermaids to the Prince Regent himself! Add Miss Ariana Forsythe to the intoxicating mix of fun and inspiration, and what do you have? The first Christian Inspirational Regency on the market today! Welcome to this delightful world, and prepare to fall in love with Ariana and her cohorts. From her home in the village of Chesterton to the very ballroom of Carlton House, you will follow her adventures and journey of faith to the edge-of-your-seat ending!