A House for the Season Series by Marion Chesney, M.C. Beaton

The New York Times–bestselling author presents a delightful series in which the staff in a London townhouse helps with much more than the household chores . . .   It was the fashion during the Regency era to hire a house for the season in Mayfair—the heart of London’s West End—at a disproportionately high rent for sometimes very inferior accommodation... moreThe New York Times–bestselling author presents a delightful series in which the staff in a London townhouse helps with much more than the household chores . . .   It was the fashion during the Regency era to hire a house for the season in Mayfair—the heart of London’s West End—at a disproportionately high rent for sometimes very inferior accommodation. But Number 67 Clarges Street, a town house complete with staff, has remained vacant season after season, as the history of the house and rumors of bad luck dissuade potential renters . . .   Salvation seems to come at last in the form of Mr. Roderick Sinclair, who has confirmed his intentions to let the house for the season. The servants are overjoyed—until they find that Mr. Sinclair is a terrible miser and is planning no parties. Furthermore, his ward, Fiona, seems not to have a bright idea in her head. But Rainbird, the clever and elegant butler, plots with Fiona to bewitch, bedazzle, and confuse the earl into seeing things their way . . .    Previously published under the name Marion Chesney less

A house in London’s fashionable West End is the setting for romance, mystery, and danger in this Regency-set tale by a New York Times–bestselling author . . .   Number 67 Clarges Street—a good address in London’s elegant Mayfair with a dubious past and a lovably eccentric staff—is where the Hart sisters are taking up residence for the season... moreA house in London’s fashionable West End is the setting for romance, mystery, and danger in this Regency-set tale by a New York Times–bestselling author . . .   Number 67 Clarges Street—a good address in London’s elegant Mayfair with a dubious past and a lovably eccentric staff—is where the Hart sisters are taking up residence for the season. Beautiful and socially ambitious Euphemia and her younger sister, Jane, enter a world of balls, coming-out parties, and courtship with the hope of finding suitable husbands.   But Number 67 has been deemed unlucky due to a long history of tragedy, including the mysterious death of a young and desirable past tenant named Clara. “Little Jane,” constantly overshadowed by her gorgeous sister, soon turns away from the London social scene and concentrates on solving the mystery behind Clara’s death. Her search leads to a discovery of danger, deceit, and romance as she works alongside the eligible and dashing Lord Tregarthan to unravel the baffling case . . .   Originally published under the name Marion Chesney, Plain Jane is a delightful story of romance and suspense by the much-loved author of the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series. less

Young Harriet Metcalf has come from the countryside to Mayfair, and her assigned task is to get two teenage heiresses launched in the London ton. For the course of the season, they will be renting at 67 Clarges Street—where the quirky but resourceful servants are always ready to lend a helpful hand.   But Harriet soon finds herself being courted by a notorious rake, the Marquess of Huntingdon—much to the annoyance of the spoiled young sisters... moreYoung Harriet Metcalf has come from the countryside to Mayfair, and her assigned task is to get two teenage heiresses launched in the London ton. For the course of the season, they will be renting at 67 Clarges Street—where the quirky but resourceful servants are always ready to lend a helpful hand.   But Harriet soon finds herself being courted by a notorious rake, the Marquess of Huntingdon—much to the annoyance of the spoiled young sisters. The below-stairs staff may just have to step in to set things aright . . .   Originally published under the name Marion Chesney, less

Set in a Regency London household, this “witty, charming, touching” novel is “highly recommended” (Library Journal).   In London’s Mayfair, the house at 67 Clarges Street is often rented out for the social season, and the latest master is a single gentleman, the handsome, rich, and notorious rake Lord Guy Carlton. After years of fighting in the wars against Napoleon, the dashing lord is determined to kick up his heels with wine, women, and song, undeterred by anyone’s appalled reaction... moreSet in a Regency London household, this “witty, charming, touching” novel is “highly recommended” (Library Journal).   In London’s Mayfair, the house at 67 Clarges Street is often rented out for the social season, and the latest master is a single gentleman, the handsome, rich, and notorious rake Lord Guy Carlton. After years of fighting in the wars against Napoleon, the dashing lord is determined to kick up his heels with wine, women, and song, undeterred by anyone’s appalled reaction.   Never before have the Clarges Street servants earned so much money or eaten so well—but their pleasure-loving master seems liable to die of dissipation. In desperation, the staff, led by the witty and resourceful butler, Rainbird, sets out to find a good woman who can calm the lord’s boisterous spirit and save his black soul. Their search ends with the discovery of Miss Esther Jones of Berkeley Square, a prim and righteous woman who seems the perfect reformer. But complications lie ahead and chaos reigns both above and below stairs, as no one, not even Miss Jones herself, is prepared for the transformation that ultimately takes place. . . .   Originally published under the name Marion Chesney, this delightful tale of romance and scheming comes from a New York Times–bestselling author who “adroitly manipulates the floating upstairs population that keeps the downstairs on its toes” (Publishers Weekly). less

The downstairs staff at a Regency London townhouse prepares for another season in the delightful series by the New York Times–bestselling author . . .   The house at 67 Clarges Street in Mayfair has a new pair of renters—pretty, young Emily Goodenough and the silent, mysterious man she calls her uncle. Emily is in London to find a husband—though her awkwardness in society could prove to be an obstacle... moreThe downstairs staff at a Regency London townhouse prepares for another season in the delightful series by the New York Times–bestselling author . . .   The house at 67 Clarges Street in Mayfair has a new pair of renters—pretty, young Emily Goodenough and the silent, mysterious man she calls her uncle. Emily is in London to find a husband—though her awkwardness in society could prove to be an obstacle.   The servants, led by Rainbird the butler, suspect there is more to the story and soon uncover the true identities of the Goodenoughs. The question remains whether in spite of it all, Emily can capture the heart of the ton’s most eligible bachelor . . .   Originally published under the name Marion Chesney, this is a delightful story of love and intrigue in a quirky London household, by “a romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure” (Booklist). less

When the Duke of Pelham returns to his town house at 67 Clarges Street, he is grimly determined to find a suitable wife--but completely unprepared for what the Season has to offer. The duke’s title alone has always brought him more than his share of feminine attention; claiming not to believe in love, he has never been spurned by a lady... moreWhen the Duke of Pelham returns to his town house at 67 Clarges Street, he is grimly determined to find a suitable wife--but completely unprepared for what the Season has to offer. The duke’s title alone has always brought him more than his share of feminine attention; claiming not to believe in love, he has never been spurned by a lady. The duke’s self-imposed search is soon disrupted by the arrival in London of Miss Jenny Sutherland, a spoiled but beautiful country girl whose vanity is her tragic flaw. According to her guardian Aunt Letitia, lack of competition has made Jenny put on airs; in London, she will get the set-down she sorely deserves. Indeed, at her first important London party, Jenny’s blatant disdain for the duke leads to certain disaster. But no one has counted on the intervention of John Rainbird, the shrewd and resourceful butler at 67 Clarges Street. Rainbird befriends Jenny, suggesting she look in the mirror a little less often. The result is a mischievous scheme that will insure Jenny’s social success and determine the fate of the close-knit family of servants at 67 Clarges Street. (From M.C. Beaton's official website) less