The Carroway Family Series by Rebekah Summersby, Penelope Summersby

Araminta Carrol, a rich merchant’s daughter, was considered a social nobody by those of the highest social class, until her ambitious parents arranged for her to marry an Earl in exchange for her very large dowry. Lord George Carroway, the Earl of Fenton, was in dire straits. His late father had left his family almost destitute. Proud and aristocratic, he regrettably knew his family would not survive the selling of their land and belongings... moreAraminta Carrol, a rich merchant’s daughter, was considered a social nobody by those of the highest social class, until her ambitious parents arranged for her to marry an Earl in exchange for her very large dowry. Lord George Carroway, the Earl of Fenton, was in dire straits. His late father had left his family almost destitute. Proud and aristocratic, he regrettably knew his family would not survive the selling of their land and belongings. Offered a chance to save his inheritance, he agreed to sell himself, his position and his title. less

Phillip Contel had a past which made him want to be loved for himself. When he returned from India, he was bringing news of his father’s death to his older brother, the new Lord Hawling, but he also wished to enter society again and find himself a wife and reacquaint himself with old friends. Miss Sarah Mathon had a desire to have financial stability, she was an orphan and had been relying on her extended family for everything ever since... morePhillip Contel had a past which made him want to be loved for himself. When he returned from India, he was bringing news of his father’s death to his older brother, the new Lord Hawling, but he also wished to enter society again and find himself a wife and reacquaint himself with old friends. Miss Sarah Mathon had a desire to have financial stability, she was an orphan and had been relying on her extended family for everything ever since. She wanted her own home, her own family, and an ability to clothe herself without feeling guilty for how much it costed her extended family. She needed to marry a wealthy gentleman. She found him in the Duke of Harding, who was titled and wealthy, but who owned a secret. For Sarah, Mr Phillip Contel was a bad distraction since he was a younger son and had no wealth, but the attraction she felt for him was sometimes more than she could ignore... Phillip knew without a doubt that he would marry Sarah, but when she announced her engagement to the Duke of Harding, suddenly he doubted... less

The Duke of Harding always knew that one day he would go mad. As a Duke he had to marry and beget an heir, but he was determined that his children would not have the looming madness over them. He chose a lady of breeding but no relation, even distant, to him and his extended family. Miss Elizabeth Dorridge was not beautiful, not refined and she had no dowry. She was not expected to make a good match; in fact she had long been thought of as a spinster... moreThe Duke of Harding always knew that one day he would go mad. As a Duke he had to marry and beget an heir, but he was determined that his children would not have the looming madness over them. He chose a lady of breeding but no relation, even distant, to him and his extended family. Miss Elizabeth Dorridge was not beautiful, not refined and she had no dowry. She was not expected to make a good match; in fact she had long been thought of as a spinster. When the Duke of Harding proposed she thought all her dreams had come true. Even after he had told her of the secret in his family, the madness which would one day take him, she was amazed that he had chosen her. In London, after they had married, Elizabeth soon learned that the Harding title was not revered as a Dukedom should be. She learned that people considered his choice in wife a sign of him impending madness, she learned that her husband secret was not so secret. Could the Duke ever love her when he feared his inevitable madness? Was there more to the secret? less