Ryland Brothers Series by Kathryn Smith

Who is the mysterious Varya? On the surface she's a woman who tempts men beyond reason, but no one has touched the heart of the elusive creature. .. that is, until now. Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, never expected to be abducted at gunpoint and accused of murder — and certainly not by a woman! When he discovers his would-be kidnapper is the elusive Varya, a beauty courted — and desired — by most of the men in London society, he is doubly shocked . .. and enthralled... moreWho is the mysterious Varya? On the surface she's a woman who tempts men beyond reason, but no one has touched the heart of the elusive creature. .. that is, until now. Miles Christian, the Marquess of Wynter, never expected to be abducted at gunpoint and accused of murder — and certainly not by a woman! When he discovers his would-be kidnapper is the elusive Varya, a beauty courted — and desired — by most of the men in London society, he is doubly shocked . .. and enthralled. Obsessed with this seductress, Miles is determined to keep her by his side as they hunt for the true culprit, even if it means putting them both in danger. For Varya the danger lies in Miles's very touch, and though she's far from ready to trust the dashing rogue, she cannot deny the attraction that flares between them. But when they are caught in a compromising position, Varya reluctantly agrees to pose as Miles's mistress, even as she resists his potent efforts to woo her into his bed. For none could guess that her bloodlines are as pure as any English aristocrat's or that behind her public mask lies a woman determined not to relinquish her hard-won independence to a man's desire — unless she ensnares his heart as well. less

No love blazes hotter. than the one that burns. For the First Time. Devlin Ryland has returned to London in triumph, acclaimed throughout the city for his courage at Waterloo and selfless rescue of a fellow soldier. But Devlin wants no part of his newfound glory -- until he escapes to the country estate of a friend and encounters the one woman for whom he would gladly play the hero: the statuesque beauty Lady Blythe Christian... moreNo love blazes hotter. than the one that burns. For the First Time. Devlin Ryland has returned to London in triumph, acclaimed throughout the city for his courage at Waterloo and selfless rescue of a fellow soldier. But Devlin wants no part of his newfound glory -- until he escapes to the country estate of a friend and encounters the one woman for whom he would gladly play the hero: the statuesque beauty Lady Blythe Christian. Unfortunately, the lady who so stirs his passions wants nothing at all to do with England's heralded champion. The man Devlin saved was Blythe's betrothed…who then heartlessly married another. Now the pain only intensifies when Devlin is near -- though, truth be told, she is not unmoved by the strength of his character and his considerable charms. But with heartbreak so fresh in her memory, how can noble Devlin convince Blythe to trust again…because only then can he show her what it is to be loved for the first time. less

Their passion was stronger than ever. .. Try as she might, Lady Octavia Vaux-Daventry cannot make herself fall in love with her groom-to-be. But a marriage to one of society's wealthiest noblemen will provide her a life so unlike her impoverished London childhood, and fulfill the promise she made to her grandfather so long ago... moreTheir passion was stronger than ever. .. Try as she might, Lady Octavia Vaux-Daventry cannot make herself fall in love with her groom-to-be. But a marriage to one of society's wealthiest noblemen will provide her a life so unlike her impoverished London childhood, and fulfill the promise she made to her grandfather so long ago. So it is more than inconvenient when the man who once possessed her heart bursts back into her world -- at the request of her betrothed -- and restarts a fire she thought was extinguished. Having earned a reputation as society's favorite criminal investigator, former Bow Street Runner North Sheffield cannot believe Octavia is the woman he's been hired to protect. If anything, she is more desirable than the day they were forced to separate -- and even more unwilling to let the passion that still flares between them break the promises she must keep. But North is determined -- not only will he do anything to keep his lost love safe, but he will risk it all to get her back into his arms again. less

Every man has his weakness. And the Ryland brothers are no different. But Wynthrope Ryland has always believed himself an exception to that rule, an exception to every rule. It is the only way he can justify his former life -- a life of crime. Long ago he took advantage of his astounding ability to remain undetected in the most profitable of ways . .. and since then, he has been motivated only by the hope of somehow turning his wrongs to rights. Until he meets Moira... moreEvery man has his weakness. And the Ryland brothers are no different. But Wynthrope Ryland has always believed himself an exception to that rule, an exception to every rule. It is the only way he can justify his former life -- a life of crime. Long ago he took advantage of his astounding ability to remain undetected in the most profitable of ways . .. and since then, he has been motivated only by the hope of somehow turning his wrongs to rights. Until he meets Moira. Moira Tyndale, elegant, proud, even haughty, a beautiful viscountess in possession of a priceless crown of diamonds. She is to be the victim of his final theft, the one that will set the Ryland brothers free forever from the binds Wyn unknowingly created so long ago. And yet with only the slightest glance, Moira has him more enchanted than he ever believed possible. In her bedchamber -- the very place where the theft must take place -- he discovers passion heretofore unknown. She is his weakness. But will she be his undoing? There are dangerous seductions waiting. less

Brahm Ryland is a man used. to getting everything he desires . .. Another London season has just wound down and Brahm Ryland, Viscount Creed, is thankful for it. Since a horrible mistake ruined his betrothal to the beautiful Lady Eleanor Durbane, his life as a scandalous bachelor has grown tedious; every day without Eleanor seems longer than the last... moreBrahm Ryland is a man used. to getting everything he desires . .. Another London season has just wound down and Brahm Ryland, Viscount Creed, is thankful for it. Since a horrible mistake ruined his betrothal to the beautiful Lady Eleanor Durbane, his life as a scandalous bachelor has grown tedious; every day without Eleanor seems longer than the last. But then a break in the monotony appears: an invitation to a shooting party at the home of Lord Burrough, Eleanor's father, and he knows his chance to make amends has come at last. Yet Brahm soon finds that Eleanor will need more than a simple apology to atone for his betrayal -- and after so many years of hurt it will take time and care to make her learn to trust again. When all her sisters warn her against him, she knows she would be a fool to give their passion another chance. But what Eleanor doesn't know is that London's boldest viscount will do anything -- anything -- it takes for a second chance at his one true love . .. less