The Unconventional Suitors Series by Ginny Hartman

Benedict St. Claire, the newly minted Earl of Danford, has just returned to England after traveling abroad for the last two years. He fully expects the responsibilities of being an Earl to be heaped upon him when he returns, but what he doesn't expect is that his three childhood friends, Griffin, Marcus, and Warren, will make his re-entrance back into polite society anything but comfortable... moreBenedict St. Claire, the newly minted Earl of Danford, has just returned to England after traveling abroad for the last two years. He fully expects the responsibilities of being an Earl to be heaped upon him when he returns, but what he doesn't expect is that his three childhood friends, Griffin, Marcus, and Warren, will make his re-entrance back into polite society anything but comfortable. Forced by blackmail into accepting a bet from his friends, Benedict is required to dress as an unfashionable half-wit. And while his foolish appearance may certainly amuse them, they are not the ones he is required to impress. Part of the wager entails that he get the lady of their choosing to fall in love with him and become engaged before the season's end, no easy feat to do when the lady of their choosing happens to be a diamond of the first water and the daughter of a duke. Lady Gillian is entranced with her first season in London and flattered by all of the attention she is receiving, but when the unfashionable Lord Danford begins showing interest, she must decide if what is in a man's heart is ultimately more important to her than his outward appearance and reputation. Can she learn to look past society's high standards and judge her unconventional suitor for what he really is on the inside: a man who fascinates her while igniting her with a passion she never knew existed? less

The season has taken a turn for the worst when Griffin finds himself on the losing end of the bet he issued to his childhood friend, the Earl of Danford. Now, Griffin must anxiously wait for Benedict to choose his bride as his comeuppance. After a spell of nervous anticipation, Benedict finally reveals to him his choice, and it is none other than the very girl who has occupied so much of his thoughts—Lady Adel Desmond... moreThe season has taken a turn for the worst when Griffin finds himself on the losing end of the bet he issued to his childhood friend, the Earl of Danford. Now, Griffin must anxiously wait for Benedict to choose his bride as his comeuppance. After a spell of nervous anticipation, Benedict finally reveals to him his choice, and it is none other than the very girl who has occupied so much of his thoughts—Lady Adel Desmond. Despite his trepidation, Griffin knows he is duty-bound to do as his friend dictates, but convincing the beautiful, independent, and none-too-biddable woman to do as he wishes, results in nothing but disaster. Can he find a way to convince Lady Adel to see beyond his arrogant exterior to the man he keeps hidden from the world? In his quest to win her heart, or at least her hand in marriage, Griffin will discover that he and Lady Adel have more in common than he initially realized. But will it be enough to overcome their obstacles, including secrets and heartbreak, both of which endanger their budding relationship and could quite possibly put their lives at risk as well? less

Upon the close of the season, Warren Daventry returns home to Winhurst Hall, only to be assaulted with the consequences of his father's drunkenness. The estate's tenants are on the verge of a revolt and funds are beginning to run low. But when Warren tries to step in and help, his father is none too pleased and quickly cuts off his allowance and banishes him for the Estate. With nowhere else to turn, Warren finds himself at the home of his best friend, Marcus Graham... moreUpon the close of the season, Warren Daventry returns home to Winhurst Hall, only to be assaulted with the consequences of his father's drunkenness. The estate's tenants are on the verge of a revolt and funds are beginning to run low. But when Warren tries to step in and help, his father is none too pleased and quickly cuts off his allowance and banishes him for the Estate. With nowhere else to turn, Warren finds himself at the home of his best friend, Marcus Graham. Brackingham Abbey soon proves to be the perfect diversion from his troubles, especially when he learns that Marcus's little sister, Serena, has harbored a tendre for him for quite some time. Delightfully entranced with her emerging beauty, Warren can't keep his distance, though due to his circumstances, he knows he cannot properly court her. A relationship that is meant to be kept secret soon evolves into so much more, as a protective older brother, meddling friend, and an unsuspecting villain tries to intervene. What begins as a simple diversion becomes more than Warren bargained for, but he soon learns that there is more to his fascination with Serena than he initially imagined. But will it be enough to sustain the pair through anything that may come their way? less

Broken and bitter, Marcus Graham returns to England a much different man than the one who left nearly two years prior. Then, he had hopes of finding love on his own terms without the involvement of his bothersome friends, the Earl and Countess of Danford. Humbled and in need of help, he finds himself seeking them out, but not for assistance in matters of love, for he has long since given up on that silly notion, but rather on finding a nanny for his daughter... moreBroken and bitter, Marcus Graham returns to England a much different man than the one who left nearly two years prior. Then, he had hopes of finding love on his own terms without the involvement of his bothersome friends, the Earl and Countess of Danford. Humbled and in need of help, he finds himself seeking them out, but not for assistance in matters of love, for he has long since given up on that silly notion, but rather on finding a nanny for his daughter. Miranda Sutherland is content in her life as a spinster, fully intent on never participating in the Season again, after her first and only one ended in unforgivable heartache. When her niece, the Countess of Danford, comes to her begging a favor, she is appalled to learn that Gillian has offered her services as a nanny to her husband's good friend, Mr. Graham. After her initial resistance, Miranda soon finds herself compelled to accept the preposterous plan, only because her heart goes out to his poor, motherless daughter. Though he has sworn to marry strictly to provide his daughter with a mother, Marcus soon finds himself drawn to Sophie's mysterious and beautiful nanny, Lady Miranda. He has reminded himself that she is nothing more than his employee, yet he can't seem to ignore the pain he sees hidden behind her brilliant eyes, a pain that is mirrored in his own, a pain he can't help but want to ease. Two damaged souls, thrown together with the best of intentions, must decide if they can put their own painful pasts behind them in order to capture the gift of true love that is being offered, as obstacles surmount and past secrets threaten to destroy the fragile thread of hope that begins to weave its way into their hearts. Will love be enough to conquer all, or will bitterness and heartache prove once more to be victor, crushing their dreams of a happy future? In the fourth and final installment of The Unconventional Suitor Series, follow Marcus and Miranda as they battle for a prize they have long ago given up on winning: love. less