The Lords of Oxford Series by Renee Reynolds

Jonas Leighton, Duke of Dorset, needs to find a husband for his spirited sister before she drives him insane. He hastily organizes a house party with a guest list that includes a wide-range of potential suitors, but unfortunately for the duke, his sister, Lady Miranda, has no desire to enter a union yet... moreJonas Leighton, Duke of Dorset, needs to find a husband for his spirited sister before she drives him insane. He hastily organizes a house party with a guest list that includes a wide-range of potential suitors, but unfortunately for the duke, his sister, Lady Miranda, has no desire to enter a union yet. Instead, her agenda for the dreaded party calls for the help of her closest friend, Lady Juliet Quinn, to thwart and confound her brother's plans by orchestrating a series of pranks meant to humiliate and confound him . . . if only he would cooperate and be the victim. Someone at the house party is in a marriage-minded way, despite his best intentions otherwise: the duke himself. He has secretly admired Lady Juliet for several years now, but she is off limits in many ways; not only is she friend to Miranda, she is also the sister of his close friend, Charles Quinn, Earl of Bristol. Perhaps the biggest obstacle is the tiny problem that Lady Juliet has vowed to avoid marriage, wanting no part of the typical unions of their set based on convenience, money, or titles and lands. With nothing at the party going according to anyone's carefully laid plans, and most of the guests participating in their own plots and schemes, the final prank yields even more surprises. Whatever is a duke to do? Lord Love a Duke is the first book in the Regency-based Lords of Oxford series, stories about the lives and loves of a group of five peers of the realm who met at university and formed a fast and lasting friendship. less

She wants one more season to pass without acquiring a husband. Lady Miranda Leighton accepts she will have to marry someday, but she wants one last season to be mistress of her own life - to go where she wants, when she wants, with whomever she wants. The lure of one more adventure is nearly irresistible. Unfortunately, her family has run out of patience with her as she unintentionally loosely courts scandal. She needs a plan, and needs it quickly... moreShe wants one more season to pass without acquiring a husband. Lady Miranda Leighton accepts she will have to marry someday, but she wants one last season to be mistress of her own life - to go where she wants, when she wants, with whomever she wants. The lure of one more adventure is nearly irresistible. Unfortunately, her family has run out of patience with her as she unintentionally loosely courts scandal. She needs a plan, and needs it quickly. He wants one more season to pass without his mother nagging, debutantes stalking, or sanity deserting him. Roman de Courtenay, Marquis of Stafford, accepts he will have to marry someday, but his immediate focus is set on managing his estates, pacifying his family, and being otherwise left alone. The lure of saddling his horse and fleeing to the country is nearly irresistible. Unfortunately, his mother wants him to find his marchioness, produce an heir, and let her settle into an anticipated and comfortable life as a dowager. He needs a plan, and needs it quickly. Thus a lady and a lord with a similar problem hatch a mischievous scheme: to use each other as shields against marriage and the plans of their families, with a dance here and a meaningful look there. All goes well - for a time - until the constant company and camaraderie of their ruse give rise to some very real feelings. What happens when you set out to fool society, but only end up fooling yourselves? A Marquis For All Seasons is Book 2 in The Lords of Oxford Series. Each book stands alone, but readers are cautioned that some aspects of the first book, Lord Love a Duke, are referenced. less