Endearing Young Charms Series by Marion Chesney, M.C. Beaton

Rescued as a child from the French Revolution, a lovely young widow is now determined to marry her intended match in this Regency romance.A Frenchwoman living in the English countryside, Delphine, Lady Charteris, has lived an isolated life. Only when her husband dies does she learn the truth of her parents’ death during the Terror—and of their plans for her to marry the Comte Saint Pierre.A capable woman who runs her own estate, Delphine has no need of a man... moreRescued as a child from the French Revolution, a lovely young widow is now determined to marry her intended match in this Regency romance.A Frenchwoman living in the English countryside, Delphine, Lady Charteris, has lived an isolated life. Only when her husband dies does she learn the truth of her parents’ death during the Terror—and of their plans for her to marry the Comte Saint Pierre.A capable woman who runs her own estate, Delphine has no need of a man. Yet she is determined to honor her late parents’ wishes, even if her union with the Comte will be a marriage in name only.Delphine is fully prepared to marry a man she has never met. But when she sees Jules Saint Pierre, she gets the shock of her life. He is the same man she’d seen juggling in the streets at a local fair. What is he doing as the Comte Saint Pierre? Has she made a terrible mistake? Or has she finally found true love? less

Must one sister suffer in poverty while the other sister lives in the lap of luxury? This question plagued Harriet Clifton incessantly. Inviting herself to her widowed sister Cordelia's posh London townhouse for the season was surely the only way to meet a suitable partner - as well as to escape droughty old Pringle House forever. The vain Cordelia was meanwhile casting her net for the notorious Marquess of Arden, a man who preferred to court a mistress rather than wed a wife... moreMust one sister suffer in poverty while the other sister lives in the lap of luxury? This question plagued Harriet Clifton incessantly. Inviting herself to her widowed sister Cordelia's posh London townhouse for the season was surely the only way to meet a suitable partner - as well as to escape droughty old Pringle House forever. The vain Cordelia was meanwhile casting her net for the notorious Marquess of Arden, a man who preferred to court a mistress rather than wed a wife. Who would have believed that the Marquess would succumb to Harriet's countrified charms? Or that Cordelia would stoop quite so low as to try to conquer the Marquess at her own sister's expense? ABOUT THE SERIES Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heros and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom. less

He stated quite bluntly - and much to Isabella's relief - that theirs would be a marriage in name only. But neither Harry nor Isabella was aware of the other's disguise - contrived in vain to thwart the impending nuptials. Isabella was not the selfish ice princess she seemed, nor was Harry a mincing dandy, but a prime Corinthian... moreHe stated quite bluntly - and much to Isabella's relief - that theirs would be a marriage in name only. But neither Harry nor Isabella was aware of the other's disguise - contrived in vain to thwart the impending nuptials. Isabella was not the selfish ice princess she seemed, nor was Harry a mincing dandy, but a prime Corinthian. A search for buried treasure and a thwarted suitor out of revenge add adventure to the marital mayhem, as two hearts discover that love lies no farther than the nearest kissÉ less

Lord Percy Hunterdon despaired: he had inherited a Gothic horror of an estate along with a pair of fifteen-year-old brats to marry off. It was no secret to him that finding husbands for these two vile young ladies would require the utmost expertise: the care of a governess of superior caliber. When Jean Morrison spied Lord Percy's advertisement, dreams of an unmarried viscount and a magnificent castle danced in her head... moreLord Percy Hunterdon despaired: he had inherited a Gothic horror of an estate along with a pair of fifteen-year-old brats to marry off. It was no secret to him that finding husbands for these two vile young ladies would require the utmost expertise: the care of a governess of superior caliber. When Jean Morrison spied Lord Percy's advertisement, dreams of an unmarried viscount and a magnificent castle danced in her head. She imagined him as Byronic and brooding, pacing the battlements with a black cloak wrapped around his manly shoulders. And naturally, he would fall madly in love with her. Her dream burst apart at the seams immediately when she encountered dank, dirty Trelawney Castle and encountered for the first time the evil dispositions of her new charges. Still, despite all of this, the golden hair and dancing eyes of her employer conjured up fantasies that were most unseemly for a governess of distinctionÉ ABOUT THE SERIES Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heros and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom. less

I have my pride. I have sworn to marry the girl, and marry her I will.After ten long years, the Earl of Devenham had returned to wed Mary Anstey, only to find that their feelings for each other had cooled off considerably. Nevertheless, they both put on bright faces for the benefit of family and friends.But Mary’s younger sister Emily saw through their masquerade. She would sacrifice anything rather than see her retiring sister married to the now haughty earl... moreI have my pride. I have sworn to marry the girl, and marry her I will.After ten long years, the Earl of Devenham had returned to wed Mary Anstey, only to find that their feelings for each other had cooled off considerably. Nevertheless, they both put on bright faces for the benefit of family and friends.But Mary’s younger sister Emily saw through their masquerade. She would sacrifice anything rather than see her retiring sister married to the now haughty earl.Desperate measure were called for… a sleeping draught in Mary’s wedding-morning chocolate and Emily could don the veil and force an annulment with the trick was discovered.It was the kind of plot that could – and would – get young Emily into trouble…. less

Fanny and her groom had been tricked! Parents on both sides, all impoverished, had decided to recoup their families' losses by marrying their children to the progeny of a wealthier neighbor. The joke was on them however when it was outed that neither family had a penny to its name. Charles was not the dark rogue of Fanny's girlish fantasies, but he was chivalrously determined that she should meet someone more appropriate for her than he... moreFanny and her groom had been tricked! Parents on both sides, all impoverished, had decided to recoup their families' losses by marrying their children to the progeny of a wealthier neighbor. The joke was on them however when it was outed that neither family had a penny to its name. Charles was not the dark rogue of Fanny's girlish fantasies, but he was chivalrously determined that she should meet someone more appropriate for her than he. And for her part, Fanny was determined that Charles find a woman of greater means who would, perhaps, be the answer to his prayers. Yet as each lover set to find someone for the other, each was left with the nagging notion that true love might have nothing to do with richesÉ ABOUT THE SERIES Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heros and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom. less