The Victorian Arrangement Series by R.G. Winter

On the night before her wedding, Madeline packs a bag, steals one of her father’s horses and heads off into the night, intending never to return. She travels the land and stops in a small village near the ocean. There, she befriends the owner of a tavern and gets a job helping serve drinks. During her extended stopover in the village, a man enters the tavern for a drink and spots Madeline. He’s tall and handsome and has his sights set on her... moreOn the night before her wedding, Madeline packs a bag, steals one of her father’s horses and heads off into the night, intending never to return. She travels the land and stops in a small village near the ocean. There, she befriends the owner of a tavern and gets a job helping serve drinks. During her extended stopover in the village, a man enters the tavern for a drink and spots Madeline. He’s tall and handsome and has his sights set on her. It doesn’t take long for Madeline to fall in love with him as well, and the two embark in a passionate affair. But it’s soon revealed that the man is of high class, a man from the life Madeline intentionally ran away from. less

Madeline’s conflicted but he persists and proves his love for her. Their love finds a way and she agrees to go back to his home and marry him. The night before they are set to leave, Madeline’s father finds her and drags her back kicking and screaming. She must marry the man he has set forth for her.

Winston de Winter is everything a dashing young lord should be: handsome, rich and--with his sister about to marry a duke--well-connected. Clare Devon is nothing a young lady should be. She's beautiful, yes, but she's also headstrong and stubborn, and given to wearing breeches while out hunting. Not to mention her family lives in what could only be termed as 'genteel poverty'. Since Clare has four sisters the likelihood of her getting married any time soon are low... moreWinston de Winter is everything a dashing young lord should be: handsome, rich and--with his sister about to marry a duke--well-connected. Clare Devon is nothing a young lady should be. She's beautiful, yes, but she's also headstrong and stubborn, and given to wearing breeches while out hunting. Not to mention her family lives in what could only be termed as 'genteel poverty'. Since Clare has four sisters the likelihood of her getting married any time soon are low. After all, a Season is expensive for one daughter, let alone four. But when Clare takes a shot at a buck and nearly shoots Winston, who happens to be riding across her father's country estate, instead of rage their love blooms quickly. With a little help from Winston's sister Madelaine -- she of the unhappy betrothal to a duke -- the two manage to spend some quality time together in London. But while Winston is a Lord he's also an heir and a son and there's no way Lord or Lady De Winter, already besieged by scandal, are going to allow their only son to marry a woman with such terrible prospects. The young lovers are torn apart. Clare is banished back to the country, and Winston is sent off to the Continent, a move that effectively ensures they will never see each other again. less

Madelaine, ever-sympathetic to the travails of love, helps Clare get to the Continent to find Winston. Only there's a stunning young woman dancing with him at the ball, and Clare's certain that an impoverished 'country mouse' can't hold a candle to the wealthy and beautiful Lucy Williams, who just happens to be the daughter of a Count... moreMadelaine, ever-sympathetic to the travails of love, helps Clare get to the Continent to find Winston. Only there's a stunning young woman dancing with him at the ball, and Clare's certain that an impoverished 'country mouse' can't hold a candle to the wealthy and beautiful Lucy Williams, who just happens to be the daughter of a Count. It looks like Clare is going to have to either fight for love, or walk away from Winston and everything they could have together, that is--if they're brave enough to risk everything and weather the scandal that's sure to ensue. less