Lords of Sussex Series by Lillian Marek

The Earl of Merton is back. Can he stay alive? After three years as an involuntary seaman in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns to an England roiled by unrest. The end of the war has brought economic hardship and unemployment. Merton starts a shipyard, bringing employment to his neighbors but embarrassment to his family. They want him to marry suitably and settle down to a normal aristocratic life. He is not interested...until he meets Miranda Rokeby... moreThe Earl of Merton is back. Can he stay alive? After three years as an involuntary seaman in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns to an England roiled by unrest. The end of the war has brought economic hardship and unemployment. Merton starts a shipyard, bringing employment to his neighbors but embarrassment to his family. They want him to marry suitably and settle down to a normal aristocratic life. He is not interested...until he meets Miranda Rokeby.Miranda is the daughter of a Boston shipowner visiting her English relatives. She has an American disdain for useless aristocrats...until she meets Merton.Together, they may be able to overcome the opposition of their families, but they have another problem. Someone is trying to kill the Earl of Merton. less

Kate Russell is furious. It was bad enough that her father had let her grow up in virtual poverty, but now, her dissolute brother wants to use her as payment for his debts. She runs away, determined to make her way so that she will never again be at the mercy of powerful men. Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh. He has overcome the shame of his parents’ scandalous lives and has a well-deserved reputation for honorable behavior. Then he encounters Kate, the niece of an old friend... moreKate Russell is furious. It was bad enough that her father had let her grow up in virtual poverty, but now, her dissolute brother wants to use her as payment for his debts. She runs away, determined to make her way so that she will never again be at the mercy of powerful men. Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh. He has overcome the shame of his parents’ scandalous lives and has a well-deserved reputation for honorable behavior. Then he encounters Kate, the niece of an old friend. There is some mystery about her background. She is not the sort of well-bred lady of impeccable reputation that he plans to marry someday, but he can’t get her out of his mind. less

She is rooted in the traditions of the past. He envisions a different future. Lady Clara Grammont, daughter of an earl and niece of a duke, has the world at her feet, or so it must seem to those looking on. However, she is bored by the gloss and gossip of polite society. She is tired of gentlemen who see nothing but her status and her dowry and expect her to be charmed by their posturing.John Smith is the orphaned son of a poor shopkeeper... moreShe is rooted in the traditions of the past. He envisions a different future. Lady Clara Grammont, daughter of an earl and niece of a duke, has the world at her feet, or so it must seem to those looking on. However, she is bored by the gloss and gossip of polite society. She is tired of gentlemen who see nothing but her status and her dowry and expect her to be charmed by their posturing.John Smith is the orphaned son of a poor shopkeeper. He has grown wealthy through his own efforts and is now committed to bringing England into a new age. He can see the enormous benefits that railways can bring, transporting goods cheaply and enabling people to travel quickly. He despises the idle aristocrats who will stand in the way of progress to protect a fox hunt, but he needs approval from Parliament to build the railway. And he needs the support of Lady Clara's uncle, the powerful Duke of Ashleigh, to get that approval.Lady Clara is intrigued by the idea of a railway. To the distress of her family, she is even more intrigued by John Smith. He, in turn, finds himself far too attracted by Lady Clara and is in danger of losing sight of his reason for meeting her. Then, the powerful forces opposing the railway put both of them in danger. They must defy everyone to be together. less