R - 381 | The Lady’s Gamble by Abby Ayles

When Regina Hartfield’s father gambles away his fortune and land in a game of cards, it leaves her and her sisters distraught, facing destitution and an impoverished future.

Despite being shy and introverted, Regina can see the dire predicament of her family and knows that she must do something to restore their pride and financial situation. But where to start?

The entry of the disreputable Lord Harrison into her life, changes all that. With a rightly earned reputation as a gambler and something of a scoundrel, Lord Harrison has designs on Regina’s sister, Bridget. But he has skills that Regina needs and now she hatches a plan to save the family honor and give the infamous Lord what he wants at the same time.

At a masquerade ball, where faces are hidden, Regina plans to win back their fortune. It’s a risky strategy and involves learning a skill that all but destroyed her family’s good name, but she is desperate.

But can she pull off the deception without ruining her own reputation still further? And what of Lord Harrison himself? He’s the first man Regina has ever found herself drawn to, But Lord Harrison is in love with Bridget, not Regina—isn’t he?

ID:  R - 381

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R - 380/1-2 | The Ladies’ Secrets by Abby Ayles

One of them cooperates with a disreputable Lord to save her family’s honor. The other one agrees to marry a Lord so that they both get what they need in order to survive. None of them is prepared for what’s about to happen.

The Lady’s Gamble

When Regina Hartfield’s father gambles away his fortune and land in a game of cards, it leaves her and her sisters distraught, facing destitution and an impoverished future. The entry of the disreputable Lord Harrison into her life, changes all that. With a rightly earned reputation as a gambler and something of a scoundrel, Lord Harrison has skills that Regina needs.

At a masquerade ball, where faces are hidden, Regina plans to win back her family’s fortune. But, how can she pull off the deception without ruining her own reputation still further? And what of Lord Harrison himself? He’s the first man Regina has ever found herself drawn to, but Lord Harrison is in love with her sister, Bridget, not Regina—isn’t he? 
 
Engaging Love

Natalie Hartfield has only a short amount of time to find a husband before the truth of her family’s poverty comes to light and she is left with nothing. John Radcliffe, heir to the earldom of Mountbank, must find a wife to show his father his seriousness towards his inherited responsibilities, or he will be disowned.

When the two meet, they agree to marry, only later to realize that they are completely ill-suited for one another. As the two of them try to make do with one another, they find that they’re still drawn towards each other despite their frustrations. Perhaps they might even genuinely want to be together. But it’s all just for the sake of propriety… right?

ID:  R - 380/1-2

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R - 379 | The Lady’s Patient by Abby Ayles

Kitty Langley, daughter of Baron Langley, has not led an easy life for a young woman of her standing. Suffering from a health condition since she was a young child, she is only just reaching a point where her health is strong enough to allow her to do all the things she wants to. If only society also allowed her to do such things!

Called to the bedside of an acquaintance's injured younger brother, Kitty leaps at the opportunity. A taste of freedom, and sharing her experience and strength with an unwell child sounds like the first tentative steps into a life of her own. But Augustus Sinclair is not a child. He is the Earl of Stamford, and, although younger than his sister, very much a man.

ID:  R - 379

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R - 378 | Saving Lady Abigail by Abby Ayles

When Colton Gillchrist returns from war, he is not the man he once was and not the man that Lady Abigail Grant remembers and is so keen to reacquaint herself with. Sporting a gash on the side of his face and walking with a stick, Colton is rude and abrupt and prone to angry outbursts, and she is at once put off by his manner.

An incident at one of the season’s finest balls only serves to make matters worse and Colton leaves hurriedly, then hides himself away, refusing to leave his home.

As his sister, Lady Louisa, and the Duchess of Wintercrest try to help him come to terms with what has happened, Abigail starts to get closer to him as well, while still attending balls and becoming involved with a charming new Lord...

ID:  R - 378

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R - 377 | Portrait of Love by Abby Ayles

The Duke of Cardinal, Stephen William Colbourn, sets out to find a painting dear to his mother’s heart. He has searched far and wide for the beautiful work of art, eventually finding it in the home of the highly esteemed Duke of Norrend. 
When he visits Norrend to price the painting he wishes to purchase, he encounters something even more valuable. 

Lady Annabelle is the beautiful and intelligent daughter of the the Duke of Norrend. She is cheerful, charismatic and a very accomplished lady of her age. She is absolutely dazzled when one day, a most unexpected Duke steals her thoughts and heart.

They are most enchanted by each other from the moment they meet and it seems like they are made for each other.

But what happens when Joanna, Lady Annabelle’s close friend accuses the Duke of making inappropriate advances at her?

Will his reputation be completely destroyed and sent away from Norrend?

And what happens when the painting the Duke wishes to purchase suddenly disappears?

Will their new love withstand the obstacles that repeatedly come up between them?

Find out now!

ID:  R - 377

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R - 376 | Loving A Lady by Abby Ayles

She has to marry a man of status. 
He has nothing of the sort and is perfectly content with it. 
Soon they both realize that status is everything and nothing at all ...

Noelle is the daughter of the Duke of Salisbury. As the eldest daughter, she is expected to marry a titled man of status and fulfill her duty. In fact, her parents plan for her to marry the Marquess of Fairfax. An eligible suitor but a dashing rogue of a man in reality.

Rodrick Edwards is a gentleman of means who lives on his wealthy uncle's estate. He has no title or high status, but none of it seem to be important in his life. He has all he needs next to his mother and cousin James - the Viscount of Easton - who dote on him dearly.

When Rodrick and Lady Noelle meet at a ball at the Duke of Salisbury's London home, they feel as if they've found their equal. However, it’s completely inappropriate, especially since Noelle is supposed to meet the Marquess of Fairfax for the first time there.

ID:  R - 376

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R - 374 | Freed by the Love of an Earl by Abby Ayles

She thought nothing could save her life from ruin. He hoped to find happiness in her arms. Nothing could have prepared them for what fate brought next...

Edmund Lockridge, the Earl of Huxley and the youngest sibling of the Lockridge sisters has a hard time believing in himself. Most people think him as hard and cruel as his father but he does not care to prove them wrong. The only opinion he cares about is the one of the lady who stole his heart…

Margaret Hayward, the illegitimate child of late Earl Hayward, has no time to think about love and happiness. Now that her tormentor has returned stronger than ever, she must find a way to escape the nightmare of his threats as soon as possible.

And what better way to secure her reputation and fortune than an Earl granting her every wish…

ID:  R - 374

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R - 373 | Entangled with the Duke by Abby Ayles

She had long resigned from a life of love. 
He had long resigned from a life of settlement. 
But destiny never resigns when love is at stake...

Alexandra Woodley, daughter to the Earl of Grebs, has taken on the task of raising her three younger sisters and running the family’s household. Her own future long forgotten, she has to ensure that her sisters don’t share her fate.

Theodore Hendricks, the Duke of Raven is a handsome and eligible bachelor who has no single care in the world. Adventure is all he seeks and the world is full of it.

A mere misunderstanding brings them to each other’s acquaintance and nothing will ever be the same.

ID:  R - 373

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R - 372 | Engaging Love by Abby Ayles

Natalie Hartfield has only a short amount of time to find a husband before the truth of her family’s poverty comes to light and she is left with nothing.

John Radcliffe, heir to the earldom of Mountbank, must find a wife to show his father his seriousness towards his inherited responsibilities, or he will be disowned.

When the two meet, they seem to hit it off—and they don’t have much of a choice when it comes to their hearts. They agree to marry, only later to realize that they are completely ill-suited for one another.

Natalie is sociable, prone to gossip, and doesn’t take anything seriously. John takes things too seriously, thinks he’s always right, and is far more focused on his guilt about his past behavior than his new bride-to-be.

ID:  R - 372

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R - 371 | A Mysterious Governess for the Reluctant Earl by Abby Ayles

All he wanted was a governess for his children. He never thought he would find his second chance in love.

Sebastian Blackburn Earl of Grimshaw is more the perturbed at the loss of his last governess. It would seem that she only used her employment as a means of securing a desirable match. Now he is in need of a new teacher for his two motherless girls and this time Lord Grimshaw won’t be trusting a solicitor to secure the position. He’s learned the hard way if he wants something done right, he’ll have to do it himself.

Miss Hannah Jacobson is desperate for any employment at this. After a year harassed by Baron Edgley and then a shameful dismissal without reference when she refuses his advances, Hannah is now blackballed from any governess position in all of London. Hannah is desperate to secure not only her own living but also has her impoverished parents and many siblings dependent on her financial support.

Lord Grimshaw is exhausted by the countless young, beautiful, and sociable candidates that the solicitor provides when suddenly Hannah Jacobson walks in. She is plain, and thread barren. She wears unsightly large spectacles and a matronly cap that nearly covers most of her face. Lord Grimshaw is sure this wallflower won’t be catching anyone’s eye any time soon and hires her on the spot.

ID:  R - 371

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R - 370 | A Cinderella for the Duke by Abby Ayles

Lady Louisa Frasier is in a sad situation. With her brother, the Earl of Gilchrist, gone to America with his wife, and her best friend, the Duchess of Wintercrest, taking care of her own young children far up north, Louisa seems to have no friends to keep her company.

It is when her mother, the dowager countess, suggests a visit to her aunt in the lake district that prospects seem to look up for Lady Louisa. The Dowager Countess and her sister have not been on the best of terms, and Lady Louisa’s single goal is to mend the broken bond.

Arriving in their quaint country town, Lady Louisa soon learns that her aunt, Lady Hendrickson, has no desire to regain any family connection and instead seizes the opportunity to use Lady Louisa until she can take no more.

Henry Vaughan, the Duke of Rowland, has reluctantly returned to his country seat. Upon his Uncle’s most insistent request he is to acquire a wife before he may return to the life he has enjoyed.

Undoubtedly this will be an easy task as he has no preference as to whom the woman shall be, and plenty of distant country ladies will happily flock at the opportunity to be a Duchess.

The Duke’s indifference changes in an instant when a chance meeting with a masked mystery woman at his own private masquerade fills his every waking moment. Who was that enchantress? Why has she hidden herself despite his desperate attempts to find her?

ID:  R - 370

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R - 369 | A Broken Heart’s Redemption by Abby Ayles

Lucy cannot think of how to mend her broken heart after Duke Perry so cruelly manipulated her. And she cannot understand how all of society continues to fall for the farce of marriage. It is just a means to trade power and wealth, after all, isn't it? Her friends tell her to hold onto hope, her parents tell her to stop behaving so crudely, and her suitors tell her to treat them with more respect. But honestly, she does not wish to marry anymore. The more men she puts off, the better.

In Baron Andrew Jones she meets another cynical heart, a man betrayed by his former fiancée, who abandoned him whilst he was traveling. Like Lucy, he believes marriage is just a way for some people to gain control over others. Most around him are disturbed by his coldness and bluntness. But in this black heart, Lucy sees a few shreds of sweetness and hope which draw her in. Between their common suffering and these moments of tenderness, Lucy finds herself slowly doing something she had sworn never to do again: falling in love.

But the Baron is committed to a life free of all attachments, and Lucy is left with a terrible decision: Must she live her life as a mistress?

ID:  R - 369

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