The Dukes and Desires Series

A witty tale of a husband-hunting scheme, a deceived duke, and an inconvenient love from “the best of the Regency writers” (Kirkus Reviews). The widowed Mrs. Charlotte Manners needs a new husband, and has the Duke of Denbigh in her sights. But her plot requires some love letters, so she calls upon Miss Verity Bascombe, her old schoolmate, to take care of that tiresome task. Verity is indeed a skilled writer and agrees to help her vain acquaintance, at the same time providing some much-needed care for Charlotte’s neglected pets, including Polly the parrot. The letters are a success, as the duke finds himself intrigued and wants to meet his correspondent. The only problem, of course, is that it is actually Verity’s beautiful words that have touched his heart—and the woman who was supposed to stay in the shadows has become enraptured by the man herself . . . Originally published under the Marion Chesney name, this is a delightful romantic comedy by the New York Times-bestselling author who “deftly blends humor and adventure” (Booklist).

For a desperate Duke and a runaway lady, a marriage of convenience becomes the adventure of a lifetime in this delightful Regency romance. Henry Wright, the Duke of Westerland, is in desperate need of a wife. Without one, the dashing bachelor will lose the legacy he desires. Luckily, with time running out, he finds a young woman who is equally in need of a husband. Lovely but sheltered Miss Frederica Sayers has finally escaped from her cruel and callous family. But after her brazen act of bravery, she fears that a life of shame awaits her…unless she accepts a stranger’s proposal. Their marriage would appear to solve everything. But soon the duke discovers he has a duchess he cannot tame. And the duchess decides she would rather lose her spotless reputation than lose the duke to another woman . . .

The charms of a rumored rake prove irresistible in this captivating Regency from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries. As far as matrimonial prospects were concerned, Lucy Bliss was told she’d make an excellent clergyman’s wife. Her mother, however, had loftier aspirations for her lovely younger sister Belinda. Belinda would marry a duke. More specifically, the Duke of Wardshire. Lucy was truly horrified. “Lucifer” Wardshire! Why, he was rumored to be as wicked as the devil, with orgies and mistresses—and worse! As the London Season unfolded, Lucy couldn’t decide who was more abominable, her vulgar mama or the arrogant yet disconcertingly handsome duke. No matter, Lucy vowed to go to any lengths to protect her sister, even if her mission should take her into the very arms of the devilish duke himself . . . Praise for M.C. Beaton “A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist “Veteran author Marion Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) delivers top-notch Regency fare.” —RT Book Reviews

New York Times–Bestselling Author: Lady Dacey has a way of leading others into temptation, scandal—and love . . . The unhappily married Pamela Perryworth and the pious innocent Honoria Goodham are currently guests of Lady Dacey for the London season—and their hostess is famed among her set for her outrageous behavior. But the two aren’t quite as scandalized as the gossips might expect. After all, being in Lady Dacey’s company does provide an adventurous escape from their not-very-fulfilling lives. It doesn’t take long for a notorious lord to start pining for Mrs. Perryworth—and for a disreputable duke to become smitten with the pure-hearted Honoria. The question remains whether these proper ladies will find themselves ruined—or have their lives turned around by love . . . “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews Previously published under the name Marion Chesney

Seven novels by the New York Times–bestselling author,“a romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure” (Booklist). From a bride whose scandalous secret is revealed on her wedding day by a talking mynah bird, to a duke seduced by love letters secretly written by someone else, to an ingénue and a vicar’s wife drawn unexpectedly into the whirlwind of the London season, these seven novels are set in a world of high society scheming and passions hidden behind nineteenth-century propriety. The Dukes and Desires Series includes: The Desirable Duchess; Her Grace’s Passion; Pretty Polly; The Sins of Lady Dacey; My Dear Duchess; Lady Lucy’s Lover; and The Scandalous Marriage. “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews

Heaven comes to a marriage made in hell in this Regency romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Poor Lucy was living a dream—a bad one. One could even say a nightmare. She had married a gambler, a womanizer, and a drunkard. And she refused to admit that his frequent overnight absences were of any significance. The sting came when it was revealed that Lucy’s parents had “bought” her husband for her. And then one night at a ball, Lucy met the charismatic Duke of Habard and suddenly anything seemed possible . . . Praise for M.C. Beaton “A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist “Veteran author Marion Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) delivers top-notch Regency fare.” —RT Book Reviews

When an intimate secret ruins a young bride’s wedding, all she can do is follow her heart in the New York Times–bestselling author’s Regency romance. Lovely Alice Lacey is a true Incomparable, and her marriage to the Duke of Ferrant is set to be the event of the Season. No one knows that she secretly loves someone else. No one, that is, but a clever talking mynah bird who announces her intimacies at the worst possible moment! Now Alice's marriage is off to a decidedly frigid start, and her new husband is soon rumored to be seeing another woman. But the more her world turns inside out, the more Alice discovers that the man she thought she loved was never what he appeared to be, and the man she married is something far more than she'd hoped. Now all she must do is convince her husband that their match was meant to be  . . .

A Regency romance driven by secret longings and scandalous crimes—from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries. Matilda, Duchess of Hadshire, was a virtual prisoner of a cruel husband who romanced his mistress right under the duchess’s nose. Her only joy was dreaming of the handsome Earl of Torridon—for he, like her, was trapped in a horrid marriage and longed to find true love and happiness. Though she secretly wished for the death of her unkind husband, Matilda never imagined the guilt that would plague her when the illustrious duke was befittingly murdered by his own regular lady! When Matilda turned to Torridon for comfort, she discovered a few surprises in store for both of them . . . Praise for M.C. Beaton “A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist “Veteran author Marion Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) delivers top-notch Regency fare.” —RT Book Reviews