Regency Lady Series by Susan Leona Fisher

Francis Hampton, Duke of Abbeywell, rarely has cause to smile. Family responsibilities not only rule his life, they have also driven away the earl’s daughter he was to wed. When an unknown young woman suddenly turns up at his estate in Berkshire, he is suspicious and determines to investigate her origins. Charlotte Fielding is everything he is not, happy-go-lucky, cheerful in adversity, ever ready to see the good in all, and poor... moreFrancis Hampton, Duke of Abbeywell, rarely has cause to smile. Family responsibilities not only rule his life, they have also driven away the earl’s daughter he was to wed. When an unknown young woman suddenly turns up at his estate in Berkshire, he is suspicious and determines to investigate her origins. Charlotte Fielding is everything he is not, happy-go-lucky, cheerful in adversity, ever ready to see the good in all, and poor. Her arrival coincides with the start of six weeks of severe winter weather, confining most of the population to home, including the occupants of Abbeywell Park—where Charlotte’s skill at entertaining children proves a godsend to the Duke’s widowed sister, with her lively brood of three. Charlotte’s impulsive and unpredictable behaviour irritates and at times angers the conventional Duke, but there is something about this young woman that gets under his skin, especially when that ready smile comes to her face and those dimples crease her rosy cheeks. When he acts to improve her family’s situation, he finds his efforts rebuffed, for she is determined to establish herself as a children’s writer and make her own way. Meanwhile the Duke’s autocratic mother, a Patroness of Almack’s, is determined to send her packing. Soon the thaw will come. What then? less

Lady Susannah Thistlewood is determined never to marry, but to devote herself to charitable endeavours to help those less fortunate than herself. She is fairly confident no one will offer for her anyway. For a start, she has resisted being presented, added to which, she has a reputation for being somewhat outspoken and behaving inappropriately in society... moreLady Susannah Thistlewood is determined never to marry, but to devote herself to charitable endeavours to help those less fortunate than herself. She is fairly confident no one will offer for her anyway. For a start, she has resisted being presented, added to which, she has a reputation for being somewhat outspoken and behaving inappropriately in society.Attending a friend’s wedding, she encounters Sir Edward Derringham, who has recently finished with his latest mistress and is open to new possibilities. When Susannah’s thoughtless behaviour causes him to land in undignified fashion in a heap on the road, he decides the young woman needs teaching a lesson. Aware of her determination not to marry, he calls upon her father to request her hand.The campaign that follows is reminiscent of his time in the army, but also requires him to take a hard look at himself and his life-style. Unbeknownst to them both, a jealous society lady is spreading rumours about Susannah, intending to get her into trouble with the Church authorities. Are the rumours true? Can her reputation survive? And will Edward still want her? less