Mary Lancaster

Abandoned to the Prodigal is book 2 in the bestselling Season of Scandal series is now available Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited Who knew that love could be fun? Ruined and abandoned by her betrothed, Lady Juliet has no choice but to take the stagecoach home to her family in Yorkshire. Fortunately, she is protected on the journey by a handsome and amusing self-styled "wastrel". Daniel Stewart - together with his enormous, unruly mongrel dog - is reluctantly answering a summons to his grandfather's deathbed. But instead of the prodigal's traditional fatted calf, he is presented with the miserly baron's temper and a parcel of resentful relatives. Juliet faces recrimination and isolation in her own home. It isn't surprising that Dan and Juliet seek solace in secret meetings to cheer each other up. Neither expects to fall in love. But is the unconventional Dan the solution to Juliet's problems? Or just an added complication? For her powerful father seeks to rehabilitate her reputation through marriage, either to her faithless ex-betrothed or to the man who caused her ruin in the first place. Season of ScandalBook 1 - Pursued by the RakeBook 2 - Abandoned to the ProdigalBook 3 - Married to the RogueBook 4 - Unmasked by her Lover

Danger, loyalty and loving the enemy... Book 4 in The Unmarriageable Series is now available Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Shunned by society and even by her own family after the treachery of her late husband, Isabelle de Renarde has long given up any thought of love or remarriage. But desperate loneliness drives her to make an assignation at the Hart Inn - which is where, inevitably, everything changes. For the Hart is in turmoil once more, captured by a small group of French raiders led by the wildly reckless Captain Armand le Noir - who always succeeds in the end. Dazzled by Isabelle's beauty, Armand regards her at first much like the task in hand - a distraction from his own pain. But the Hart seems to work its magic and inconvenient attraction gets in the way of both unwise assignation and the search for lost prisoners of war. With the raiders only partially foiled, the adventure sweeps from the inn to a neighborhood ball and then to France itself. Amidst the constant danger and the intensity of their growing love, Isabelle and Armand live on the edge of betraying each other or their own loyalties. But someone is manipulating them, the true enemy is unclear, and in the end they must both risk everything to be together. The Unmarriageable SeriesThe Deserted HeartThe Sinister HeartThe Vulgar HeartThe Broken HeartThe Weary HeartThe Secret Heart

The debutante meets the radical... The 14th and final book in the Blackhaven Brides series is now available Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited Lady Maria returns to Braithwaite Castle from her first London season with a scandal about to break over her head. A sweet-natured girl, she loathes confrontation and is dreading the scolding from her mother and brother. But help comes from an unexpected source - Lord Braithwaite's new secretary, Michael Hanson. Michael is poor, clever, ambitious - and a political radical. Engaged to be married to a lady who actively shares his views, he never imagines he could fall for his employer's lovely, if rather haunted, sister. But there is more than frivolity to Maria, and he is quickly drawn to her humor and compassion, and to the troubles her good-nature keeps heaping upon her. When her first love pops back into her life to blackmail her over her indiscretion a year ago, it is Michael she turns to for help. But Michael, too, has his problems as he is under suspicion for publishing seditious pamphlets that could affect Britain's last battle with Napoleon Bonaparte. As the European stage is set for Waterloo, Michael and Maria work together to find the conspirators before it is too late. In the process, they fall in love, but honor as well as their difference in rank, might keep them apart... Blackhaven BridesBook 1 - The Wicked BaronBook 2 - The Wicked LadyBook 3 - The Wicked RebelBook 4 - The Wicked HusbandBook 5 - The Wicked MarquisBook 6 - The Wicked GovernessBook 7 - The Wicked SpyBook 8 - The Wicked GypsyBook 9 - The Wicked WifeBook 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella)Book 11 - The Wicked WaifBook 12 - The Wicked HeirBook 13 - The Wicked CaptainBook 14 - The Wicked Sister

False engagement - or true love? Book 12 in the Blackhaven Brides series is now available Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited. From the age of thirteen, Jess has been brought up by her irascible and reclusive guardian, Lord Viscral. Sheltered but spirited, Jess finally rebels when his lordship decides out of the blue that she should marry his estranged son and heir, Jonathan, whom she has never even met. Jess immediately makes plans to run away with the assistance of her childhood sweetheart, and make her living running a hat shop. But this is Blackhaven, where things rarely work out as planned. Lord Viscral has come to take the waters and to entice his black sheep of a son back into the fold, with Jess as bait. The black sheep, however, has no intention of being caught by either of them. Captain of a famous merchant ship, he only wishes to see that his father is well. However, when he encounters Jess out of her depth in a gaming hell, he is intrigued. And sees the possibility of an alliance to punish his tyrannical parent. Of course, it isn't that simple. Jess's sweetheart turns out to have feet of clay and brings more problems than he solves. Someone is stealing Jon's cargo. Someone else is trying to kill Jess and Jon. Cousin Hector alternately scolds and proposes. In the middle of it all, Bonaparte escapes from Elba, Jon begins to suspect blood is thicker than water, and worst of all, learns it's far too easy to fall in love with Jess... Blackhaven Brides SeriesBook 1 - The Wicked BaronBook 2 - The Wicked LadyBook 3 - The Wicked RebelBook 4 - The Wicked HusbandBook 5 - The Wicked MarquisBook 6 - The Wicked GovernessBook 7 - The Wicked SpyBook 8 - The Wicked GypsyBook 9 - The Wicked WifeBook 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella)Book 11 - The Wicked WaifBook 12 - The Wicked HeirBook 13 - The Wicked CaptainBook 14 - The Wicked Sister

Welcome to Blackhaven, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society STILL turns local life upside down Book 11 "The Wicked Waif" in the Blackhaven Brides Series is now available. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Where there is love, there is life... When Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she is injured, traumatized, and remembers nothing of her previous life, not even her real name. In a frightening, unknown world she clings only to her rescuer, Major Dominic Doverton. Dove is the quiet man of Blackhaven. Outside his regiment, no one knows of his heroism or its tragic consequences. He is at peace with his fate. Only Tillie, with her innate kindness, curiosity, and mischief breaks through his aloofness to his secret. However, the mystery of her identity seems to be mixed up with a conspiracy to free Bonaparte from Elba and finding Tillie's family only unleashes more danger - and threatens to separate her forever from the man she loves. Dove will take on the world to protect her, but does he have the will to fight again for his own fate? Blackhaven Brides SeriesBook 1 - The Wicked BaronBook 2 - The Wicked LadyBook 3 - The Wicked RebelBook 4 - The Wicked HusbandBook 5 - The Wicked MarquisBook 6 - The Wicked GovernessBook 7 - The Wicked SpyBook 8 - The Wicked GypsyBook 9 - The Wicked WifeBook 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella)Book 11 - The Wicked WaifBook 12 - The Wicked HeirBook 13 - The Wicked CaptainBook 14 - The Wicked Sister

Rake Ruiner by Summer HanfordHatred is only a kiss away from love. When her husband dies in a duel over another woman, Charlotte Fairhaven sets childish notions of love aside in favor of something more reliable - pleasure. Unfortunately, the gentlemen of Scotland have little appreciation for her newfound freedom. Offers of marriage abound, driving her to a remote corner of the Highlands to evade her admirers. There, Charlotte discovers the most aggravating man she's ever met, and the only one with any hope to mend her heart. Marrying the Belle of Edinburgh by Lisa BoeroHatred is only a kiss away from love. When her husband dies in a duel over another woman, Charlotte Fairhaven sets childish notions of love aside in favor of something more reliable - pleasure. Unfortunately, the gentlemen of Scotland have little appreciation for her newfound freedom. Offers of marriage abound, driving her to a remote corner of the Highlands to evade her admirers. There, Charlotte discovers the most aggravating man she's ever met, and the only one with any hope to mend her heart. Seduction of a Widow by Tarah Scott and Laura ChandlerShe intends to win the race. He intends to win her heart... Evan MacLaren prefers to find his thrills on the high seas. Stormy waters might be fickle, but not as fickle as a woman-particularly a high-spirited widow. Yet Lady Carr's adventurous spirit calls to him just as the sea does. Here is a woman who will never bore him. A woman who is as free and dangerous as any ocean. And he must have her. Twice widowed, Lady Leslie Carr has never been in love. That suits her just fine. She is better off without a man. Oh, they can be very agreeable on a cold winter night or a walk in the garden. Beyond those pleasurable moments, however, they are a bore. So why does a young buccaneer haunt her dreams? Widow's Treasure by Mary LancasterThe real treasure of Ardbeag is not Jacobite gold... Two years after her husband's death, Lady Derwent is finally enjoying a life of freedom, fun and delicious intrigue. She travels to the Scottish Highlands only to sell the estate of Ardbeag, but when Stirling James suggests Rob Ogilvy of Lochgarron as a possible buyer, her plans begin to unravel. Rob believes the scandalous English widow has set her wicked sights on his nephew. But after only one masked encounter with her, he determines to make her his own. Unfortunately, the widow is equally determined never to be caught again in the marriage trap, even by the devastating, untamed Mr. Ogilvy, who is unlike anyone she has ever met. Then thieves strike, threatening everyone and everything in their ruthless search for Bonnie Prince Charlie's legendary treasure.

The real treasure of Ardbeag is not Jacobite gold... Two years after her husband's death, Lady Derwent is finally enjoying a life of freedom, fun and delicious intrigue. She travels to the Scottish Highlands only to sell the estate of Ardbeag, but when Stirling James suggests Rob Ogilvy of Lochgarron as a possible buyer, her plans begin to unravel. Rob believes the scandalous English widow has set her wicked sights on his nephew. But after only one masked encounter with her, he determines to make her his own. Unfortunately, the widow is equally determined never to be caught again in the marriage trap, even by the devastating, untamed Mr. Ogilvy, who is unlike anyone she has ever met. Then thieves strike, threatening everyone and everything in their ruthless search for Bonnie Prince Charlie's legendary treasure. Other books in The Marriage Maker and the Widows collectionRake RuinerMarrying the Belle of EdinburghSeduction of a Widow

Get Book Three in the bestselling The Unmarriageable Series - read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited When convention clashes with love... Eager to outshine her older sisters, Henrietta Maybury is disappointed to discover the first man to make her heart race is the scion of a banking family, and therefore quite ineligible as a husband to a viscount's daughter. But as it turns out, Captain Sydney Cromarty is even less marriageable than she first imagined. For beneath his respectable facade, he's a notorious smuggler - as Henrietta discovers during a reckless evening at the Hart Inn. And the more she learns, the more he fascinates her. As Henrietta begins to doubt her values, Cromarty is forced to reassess his own. No one is more amused than he to discover he is now the Earl of Silford's heir, a position he has no intention of embracing, but it becomes a situation that makes him dangerous enemies who are not above using his growing feelings for the charming Henrietta to destroy him. Will he accept his patrimony as a means to win Henrietta, or will they both succumb to the threats that surround them? The Unmarriageable Series: The Deserted HeartThe Sinister HeartThe Vulgar Heart

A sinister baron besieged by bad luck and bad tidings... can love save him? Read Book 2 in Mary Lancaster's latest hit series, The Unmarriageable Series Lady Cecily, a daughter of a duke, has a habit of getting into trouble. Perhaps it's her natural curiosity or maybe, she likes excitement, especially where the notorious Lord Verne is concerned. When she's mistaken for a hussy at the Hart Inn-by every fault of her own-staring at the handsome lord through a partially opened door in a private parlor and watching him out of her chamber window in the middle of the night-is it any surprise he abducts her? Of course, she foolishly imagines her rank and her identity are enough to protect her. But her family name doesn't change Verne's mind, for he is still fascinated by Cecily. With her reputation hanging by a thread after spending the night in Verne's house, she's forced to make a fateful decision, face the consequences of her actions, which could mean utter ruin for her and her family, or agree to a fake engagement with the rakish lord. Lord Verne has a tragic past and his own dark secrets to contend with, making him a bad match for the vivacious Cecily and her powerful family. But once the news of their "engagement" gets out, neither one of them is in a hurry to call it off. Will they find their happily ever after with each other? Or will Verne's sinister past destroy everything? Books in Series: The Deserted HeartThe Sinister Heart

Unmarriageable? Or simply unusual? There can only be one reason for the proud Duke of Alvan's proposed visit to Audley Park. He means to offer for Lord Overton's beautiful daughter, Thomasina, thus saving the family's waning fortune. In the midst of the hectic preparations for his arrival, Overton's least marriageable daughter Charlotte remembers to collect her young brothers from school for the holidays. When fog forces them to spend the night at the Hart Inn, they are astonished to find the house deserted, save for one other enigmatic traveler who deals most capably with armed intruders. Drawn to their unconventional new friend, Charlotte enlists his help to solve the mystery. Amidst the upheaval of the duke's visit, to say nothing of the chaos caused by Charlotte's unmanageable pet terrier, the Hart becomes the focus of nefarious doings, kidnappings and romantic entanglements. For Charlotte is unwise enough to fall hopelessly in love with her sister's intended husband, and the duke hides too many secrets of his own.

Can a wife hide behind a mask? Lady Frances married her Scottish earl for love. Now one year and one child later, she feels bored, trapped and lonely, convinced Lord Torridon only married her for convenience. When she can stand it no longer, she flees his stately Highland home for the Edinburgh town house of her most scandalous friend, widow Ariadne Marshall. Unfortunately, she has also brought the Torridon rubies, which she stakes in an outrageous wager with Ariadne - that their own families will not recognize them at a masked ball. In no time, they are off to Blackhaven, and the infamous masked ball at Frances's old home. Little does Frances know that her furious husband is on her trail... and that she is not the only one in disguise. Among all the masks, misunderstandings, and general Blackhaven mayhem, can Frances and Torridon find a way back to each other before it's too late? The Blackhaven Brides books are a series, but can be read as stand alones: The Wicked BaronThe Wicked LadyThe Wicked RebelThe Wicked HusbandThe Wicked MarquisThe Wicked GovernessThe Wicked SpyThe Wicked GypsyThe Wicked Wife

Torfrida is thirty-two years old, cynical, secretive, confident of her own wisdom and learning. Yet even she is taken by surprise when Hereward is brutally killed by his Norman guests. Lonely and embittered, it is with reluctance that she remembers the past, from her first childhood meeting with the tumultuous Hereward, through their stormy courtship and Hereward's military adventures as mercenary and as patriot - which she shared - up to the unforgivable betrayal which parted them. Even more reluctantly does Torfrida begin to question Hereward's murder, eventually seeking the elusive truth with a desperation that mirrors her own unacknowledged need to believe in him and the value of their marriage. But the truth only leads her into greater danger, threatening her unexpected new happiness in the very moment of its discovery. An Endless Exile is the story of the eleventh century hero, Hereward "the Wake," the only Englishman to have defied and defeated William the Conqueror.

Amidst the turbulence of revolutionary Hungary, a Scottish governess falls in love with a young, peasant-born radical determined to change the world. In 1847, with Europe on the verge of revolution, Katie Kettles travels to Hungary as governess to the family of Count Istvan Szelenyi. On the journey, she first encounters Lajos Lazar making incendiary speeches from a table-top in Vienna. Though instantly drawn to him, he is not her only distraction from her duties, for Katie has her own vengeful agenda which begins to stutter as she reluctantly becomes involved with the Szelenyis' lives and loves. While Hungary plunges into political upheaval, Katie faces a personal revolution to resolve both her family issues and her passionate relationship with Lajos. Through Katie's eyes, we see the euphoria of a bloodless revolution victorious over an unjust and stagnant regime, and the tragedy of a lost war that was so very nearly won.

Vienna, 1814: Europe makes a historic peace...and dances. Colonel Francis Wolfe, military hero and the new Earl of Warenton, is prepared to do his duty and marry well. He has almost decided upon the well bred and beautiful Miss Sylvia Renleigh, without ever noticing the quiet young woman who is her aunt's over-worked companion. Until Elise practically walks under the hooves of his stallion. It never enters his head that she was daydreaming of him. Impoverished emigr e, Elise de Sancerre, knows that the earl would never normally look at her. Yet when they meet again at a masked ball, where the world expects him to propose to Sylvia, everything changes. Throw a managing sister and a missing tiara into the equation and all bets are suddenly off. Enjoy this delightful Regency tale

An old Blackhaven tragedy merges with a new quarrel. When Gervaise, the Earl of Braithwaite, first sees beautiful gypsy Dawn, he is struck by her likeness to his political enemy, Julius Gardyn. In his cups, he grasps the opportunity for a little vengeance and sweeps her off to his ancestral castle. In the morning, he is frustrated in his attempts to make things right by Dawn herself, who refuses to return to her family. Dawn, dazzled by the handsome earl, has several reasons for staying with him. Pretending to be Eleanor Gardyn, lost heiress to Haven Hall, begins as a fun means to upset the earl's enemy, but when memories begin to tug at her, everything becomes much more serious. As she falls heavily in love with Gervaise, she starts to believe that happiness might be possible. Until the earl's prospective bride arrives at the castle. However, many people, including Julius, fail to see the steel beneath Gervaise's good nature. Few have noticed that he always gets what he wants in the end. And he wants Dawn.