Legend of the Four Soldiers
4 primary works
Book 1
The ton loves nothing more than a good scandal, and they're giddy with the appearance of wealthy Samuel Hartley. Not only is he self-made, American, and in the habit of wearing moccasins, but he is also notorious for fleeing a battle in which several English gentlemen lost their lives. What the ton doesn't know, though, is that Samuel is in London because of this massacre. He believes his regiment was given up to the enemy and won't rest until he finds the traitor.
Lady Emeline Gordon is captivated with Samuel. Not only does he defy convention with his unusual dress, his sensual smile, and his forthright manner, but he survived the battle that killed her beloved brother. Samuel suspects that the person responsible for her brother's death is Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, a family friend since childhood - and Emeline's fiance. Despite Emeline's belief in Vale's innocence and her refusal to break off her betrothal, she and Samuel begin a passionate affair. But can their relationship survive the fallout from Samuel's investigation?
Book 2
Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, has a problem: he needs to marry and produce an heir to the title. All Jasper wants is to find a lady who will put up with him long enough to wed so he can return to his customary life of drinking and womanizing. Melisande Fleming, on the other hand, has been secretly in love with Jasper for years. Knowing that Jasper is under pressure to marry, Melisande grasps her fate with both hands and volunteers to wed him, even though she means nothing to him.
Although Jasper is initially only interested in producing an heir, their wedding night is pleasant, if not earth-shattering and he oddly enough finds himself curious about his wife. What does Melisande do all day? What does she think about? Melisande, however, has everything she told herself she'd be content with: marriage to the man she loves. But to her chagrin, she wants more from the Jasper. More of his time, more of his thoughts and heart, and really, while we're on the subject, more lovemaking. Thus, she sets out to seduce her husband by night even as he starts turning up in her life during the day.
Book 3
Sir Alistair Munroe is a naturalist knighted for his service to the crown during the French and Indian War - a war that left him horribly maimed. Because of his scars he lives a near solitary existence in a crumbling Scottish castle. Until a dark and stormy night when he opens the door to a buxom beauty claiming to be his new housekeeper.
Helen Fitzwilliam has led a life full of mistakes, not least among them spending the last ten years as mistress to the Duke of Lister, a man without any kindness. But when the duke takes a new, younger mistress, Helen makes a decision she knows isn't a mistake. She leaves the duke, taking with her their two young children. Knowing that Lister hates to give up anything--even a mistress he's cast aside--Helen flees to Scotland and the home of a man she's never met.
These two wounded souls find an undeniable passion, and love, in each others arms, but the bliss of their relationship isn't to last. The Duke steals his children away from Helen, forcing her to reveal her true past to Alistair, and a friend from Alistair's army past is back from the dead--and quite possibly involved in the betrayal that lead to the massacre of their regiment
Book 4
Reynaud St. Aubyn has spent the last seven years in hellish captivity. Now half mad with fever he bursts into his ancestral home and demands his due. Can this wild-looking man truly be the last earl's heir, thought murdered by Indians years ago?
Beatrice Corning, the niece of the present earl, is a proper English miss. But she has a secret: No real man has ever excited her more than the handsome youth in the portrait in her uncle's home. Suddenly, that very man is here, in the flesh-and luring her into his bed
Only Beatrice can see past Reynaud's savagery to the noble man inside. For his part, Reynaud is drawn to this lovely lady, even as he is suspicious of her loyalty to her uncle. But can Beatrice's love tame a man who will stop at nothing to regain his title-even if it means sacrificing her innocence?