Regency Intrigue
8 primary works
Book 1
Tongues were set wagging when Elizabeth Markham's glamorous young parents were killed, leaving their only child to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle Julius, Elizabeth was forbidden to participate in the season's festivities. Elizabeth realized that marriage was her only escape, and she decided on a daring plan: she would trick her way into the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors sure to be happy to dance with her.
Elizabeth's plan succeeded swimmingly, as she flirted with everyone with the exception of the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, who was considered by those in the know to be quite a catch. She ignored Charles thoroughly until her uncle discovered her deception and it was, of all people, Charles who saved her - by announcing their engagement!
But Elizabeth's troubles were far from over. In her absence she had come into an inheritance and her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive.
Book 2
The first book in M.C. Beaton's charming Regency Flame series.
With little to live on but her romantic daydreams - which frequently starred the dashing Marquess of Fleetwater - Jean Lindsay lived a rather dismal life with her nasty, drunken uncle.
Jean was always the object of ridicule, that is, until news of her unexpected inheritance spread. Suddenly her worn dresses became quaint, and her forthright manner turned magically to charming, but to Jean's horror, someone wanted her dead!
With the marquess nearby to save her pretty neck, Jean felt quite safe and quite smitten. As for her hero - how had an unsophisticated child from a Scottish manse turned his head and his heart askew?
Searching for lighter romances set in the English countryside? Look no farther than the Regency Flame Series, which features mistaken identities, botched marriages, witty heroines, and the courtship of prime Corinthians.
Book 3
The eighth book in M.C. Beaton's charming Regency Flame series.
Lady Lucinda Esmond's swine of a father was forever fleecing young bucks in London's gaming halls - until he met Captain Mark Chamfrey who, having been once cheated, would not be made a fool of again and promptly kidnapped ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom!
But, when Chamfrey thought better of it and returned the girl, Esmond nonetheless exacted his own price: Chamfrey could redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence, just time enough for Chamfrey to inherit a title and fortune.
Lucinda's father could not have foreseen what a beauty Lucinda would become, nor that Chamfrey, a newly made Marquess, would actually welcome the fulfillment of what was supposed to be his punishment!
Searching for lighter romances set in the English countryside? Look no farther than the Regency Flame Series, which features mistaken identities, botched marriages, witty heroines, and the courtship of prime Corinthians.
Book 4
Fashionable society regards Sir Benjamin Wright with the utmost honour and respect. Yet Lady Emma knows that her husband is, in fact, a drunken jealous brute who delights in humiliating her both in and out of the bedroom.
So, his unexpected murder is a blessing, she thinks - that is, until the constable's accusing finger points to her as the murderer. But it soon becomes apparent that her late husband hid many secrets and enemies.
When the practical Comte Saint-Juste arrives on the scene offering his services, Lady Emma is about to discover what the French dedication to l'amour really means...
Book 5
Annabelle Carruthers can only dream of being kissed by a man as dashing as Lord Darkwood. She remains locked in misery - married to a rakish drunk who gambles their lives into financial and social ruin.
His sudden death - and rumours of spies and treachery - only make matters worse. Burdened with her dead husband's gambling debts, Annabelle fears that she is on her way to the poorhouse. The only solution Annabelle can see to avoid this is to offer herself up as mistress to the mysterious Lord Darkwood!
Darkwood, however, is too much of a gentleman to take advantage of a lady such as Annabelle. Still, he is intrigued by the persistent rumours of her husband's espionage - a curiosity that will soon place them both in grave danger.
Book 6
Book 7
'I am Miss Lamberton. Miss Constance Lamberton. I hoped that you would employ me as your companion.'
So it was that quiet, reserved Constance came to the household of the haughty but beautiful Lady Amelia. She would serve as the lady's chaperone throughout the Season's many festivities, finding herself an unwitting accomplice in Lady Amelia's scheme to trap the very eligible Lord Philip into marriage.
But it was not Lady Amelia who won Lord Philip's heart. It was the pale, golden-eyed Constance herself. And very soon, Constance became Lady Philip Cautry. It was not a marriage made in heaven, but surely in time.
And then Constance disappeared. Lord Philip didn't know how or why. Nor did he care. All that mattered to him was the safe return of his beloved Constance.
Book 8
I am going to die, she thought. It is sunny, and the whole of London is happy and joyous because I am going to die.'
The great Marquess herself had come to enjoy the show.
'Speech! Speech!' roared the crowd.
Polly raised her hands and the crowd fell silent.
'My lords, ladies, and gentlemen,' said Polly from the foot of the gallows. 'Why is it that such as I who am poor and have nothing should hang for a petty theft when such as she,' - here Polly paused and pointed straight toward the woman who'd captured her - 'Mrs. Blanchard, that abbess of Covent Garden, can commit murder on the souls of innocent country girls over and over again, and yet go free!'
With those words Polly said her farewells and at last, 'I bid you good day, my friends. We shall meet again. For such as you who enjoy a spectacle such as this will surely roast in hell!