Consummate man of business and rake at large, Worth Kettering, repairs to his country estate to sort out his familial situation, trusting the ever efficient (though as yet unmet) housekeeper, Jacaranda Wyeth, will provide his family a pleasant summer retreat. To his surprise, his household is manage by a quick-witted, violet-eyed Amazon who’s his match in many regards.
As Jacaranda and Worth become enamored, the family she’s kept hidden from him, the financial clients Worth feels singularly protective of, and the ragged state of affairs between Worth and his estranged older brother Hessian all conspire to keep Worth and Jacaranda apart. Worth must choose between love and profit, and Jacaranda must decide between loyalty to her family, and the love of a man who values her above all others.
After a short, troubled marriage Trenton Lindsey, heir to the Wilton earldom, finds himself a widower with three small children. His year of mourning leaves him adrift, until his brother Darius forces him to take a repairing lease in Surrey. Social conventions require Trent to call on his recently widowed neighbor, Elegy Hampton, Lady Rammel, and as friendship develops, consolation of an intimate sort tempts them both. Just as Trent acknowledges the joy and pleasure to be shared with Ellie, an unseen enemy threatens him and Ellie, too. Can he reach for the love Ellie offers, when some one else is trying to take his life?
Gabriel North has spent two years allowing his family to believe him dead, while he assumes the identity of a hardworking steward on the neglected Three Springs estate. When Gabriel falls in love with Polonaise Hunt, cook at Three Springs, he realizes he must solve the mystery of who tried repeatedly to kill him, before he can ask any woman to share his life.
Gabriel resumes his proper identity as Marquis of Hesketh only to find that Polonaise has also resumed her calling, that of talented portrait artist, and she’s been commission to paint Gabriel’s heir. While Gabriel tries to untangle the mystery of his attempted murder, he finds Polonaise has been keeping secrets of her own. She can capture Gabriel’s likeness on canvas, but can he capture her heart?
Former military officer Matthew Daniels has been sent home from the Crimea in disgrace. Mary Frances MacGregor is a Scottish widow who loathes everything about the British military, and yet both Mary Fran and Matthew understand more than they want to about being lonely and isolated even amid family. They yearn to understand each other too, but old secrets and divided family loyalties threaten to cost them their chance at shared happiness.
David Worthington, Viscount Fairly, has inherited a brothel he does not want, but hesitates to sell for fear his employees will not be treated well by the establishment’s next owner. He hires Letty Banks, a courtesan currently without protector, to serve as madam, but soon finds himself attracted to her on more than just a physical level.
When serious harm befalls Letty at David’s brothel, he realizes he cannot continue to ignore the dreams of a woman he cares for. He arranges a way for Letty to return to obscure respectability, and prepares to walk out of her life, only to find he cannot leave her undefended against the trouble bearing down from her past.
Though there are lines he will not cross, Darius Lindsey has become the favored plaything of bored, wealthy society ladies. He contracts one final engagement with the pretty, sweet, Lady Vivian Longstreet, in hopes that meeting his obligations to Vivian will free him from the financial constraints making his life hell. Darius finds that the bargain he thought would cost him the last of his self-respect instead resurrects both his honor and his heart.
Andrew Alexander, Earl of Greymoor, has tried to run both from memories of a boating tragedy that claimed the lives of several loved ones, and from an attraction to pretty, petite, Astrid Worthington. He returns to England to find Astrid widowed, expecting a child, and more irresistibly attractive to him than ever. When it becomes apparent that Astrid needs a husband who can keep her and her unborn child safe, Andrew must decide if old nightmares will continue to control his life, or if his love for Astrid entitles him to a second chance at happiness—and love.
Guinevere Hollister, cousin to the Marquis of Heathgate, has fashioned a life as a poor relation, raising her daughter Rose in rural obscurity and focusing her considerable passion and intellect on stewarding the estate they live on. Douglas Allen, Viscount Amery, is sent to Gwen by their mutual relations for lessons in husbandry of the land. As Douglas and Gwen find common ground, and then mutual pleasure, Gwen’s past rises up in the person of the powerful Duke of Moreland, who is bent on wresting control of Rose from her mother, even if that means Gwen must marry the Moreland heir.
Gareth Alexander, Marquis of Heathgate, has spent nine years indulging every whim allowed the wealthy and titled—also grieving five family members who died in the boating accident that left him with the title. To meet an obligation to a deceased friend, Gareth, a confirmed rake, must teach Felicity Worthington, an equally confirmed spinster how to run a brothel in ninety days. Time is running out to ensure Felicity has the security the brothel will provide, but Gareth becomes increasingly reluctant to ruin a woman he respects as much as he desires.
Beckman Haddonfield has always solved his problems by moving on. When he’s given the job of restoring a family property, he finds in Sara Hunt the one woman who makes him want to put down roots.
As housekeeper on a neglected estate, Sara has finally found a quiet place to raise her daughter and heal from a tumultuous past. She has good reasons for ignoring Beckman’s overtures, but wants to trust him when he says that this time, he’s not going anywhere without her. But will he still say that when Sara’s past catches up with her?
