The Prestons Series by Katherine Grant

This free prequel novella kicks off The Prestons series.When Martin Preston, Baron Ashforth, is caught on a dark balcony with a debutante, he does the right thing. Even though he was only freeing her skirts from the railing. Even though he doesn’t know her name. The next morning, he faithfully offers for her hand in marriage.Lolly Turner has nothing against Lord Preston. He is handsome, kind, and honorable. Yet she can’t bring herself to marry a man solely because of gossip... moreThis free prequel novella kicks off The Prestons series.When Martin Preston, Baron Ashforth, is caught on a dark balcony with a debutante, he does the right thing. Even though he was only freeing her skirts from the railing. Even though he doesn’t know her name. The next morning, he faithfully offers for her hand in marriage.Lolly Turner has nothing against Lord Preston. He is handsome, kind, and honorable. Yet she can’t bring herself to marry a man solely because of gossip. When she knows she should say yes, she says no. Instead, they concoct a false engagement: they tell the world they plan to marry, while in reality Lolly will jilt Martin once the scandal has died down.Martin invites Lolly and her family to spend the Easter holiday at his country home to keep up appearances. As he and Lolly spend more time together, they share visions for the future and realize they both hope for a world very different from the one into which they were born. But when Lolly’s father catches wind of their shared politics, he changes his mind about the wedding. Which means it is up to Lolly and Martin to choose: should they do the right thing, or follow their hearts? less

Maximilian Hainsworth is on a mission: to write a scathing expose of England’s most famous country estate, Northfield Hall. At Northfield, the Preston family dares thumb its nose at the British Empire and boycotts anything imported from beyond English shores. They hire laborers from all walks of life, including immigrants and freed slaves, and educate anyone who wants to learn. In short, Northfield Hall claims to be utopia, and Max is determined to prove that it is not... moreMaximilian Hainsworth is on a mission: to write a scathing expose of England’s most famous country estate, Northfield Hall. At Northfield, the Preston family dares thumb its nose at the British Empire and boycotts anything imported from beyond English shores. They hire laborers from all walks of life, including immigrants and freed slaves, and educate anyone who wants to learn. In short, Northfield Hall claims to be utopia, and Max is determined to prove that it is not.Disguised as a carpenter, he gets himself hired so he can learn Northfield’s secret ins and outs. A few things quickly go wrong with his plan:1. He doesn’t bring his own tools2. No one is willing to speak ill of the Prestons3. He keeps accidentally flirting with Miss Ellen PrestonNevertheless, Max is determined to persevere. Even if it means betraying the trust of lovely and kind Ellen. less

One bored governess, one handsome doctor, and unlimited unchaperoned nighttime activities. What could possibly go wrong?Sophia Preston wants adventure, excitement, and self-determination. She hired herself out as a governess to gain independence, and now she has it at Robin Abbey: every day, she gets to mind the Cosgrove children, eat the Cosgrove’s food, and live by Cosgrove’s rules... moreOne bored governess, one handsome doctor, and unlimited unchaperoned nighttime activities. What could possibly go wrong?Sophia Preston wants adventure, excitement, and self-determination. She hired herself out as a governess to gain independence, and now she has it at Robin Abbey: every day, she gets to mind the Cosgrove children, eat the Cosgrove’s food, and live by Cosgrove’s rules.When John Anderson arrives as accoucheur ahead of Lady Widlake’s next baby, Sophia immediately sees the potential for excitement. Who wouldn’t want to seduce the handsome young doctor who is guaranteed to move on once Lady Widlake’s baby is born?John doesn’t mind flirting with the intriguing governess - as long as they aren’t caught. He has goals, and they don’t include ruining his reputation. Still, he must admit that Miss Preston is everything he ever wanted in a woman: smart, beautiful, unlike anyone else he has ever met…When counterfeit bank notes surface in town, the authorities suspect someone at Robin Abbey is the criminal. Suddenly, both Sophia and John are put under the microscope. They have no choice but to band together to find the true culprit. The only question is: will they find true love, too? less

Everyone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love... moreEveryone knows that a happy marriage begins with a lot of money and one good lie…When Benjamin Preston falls in love with Lady Lydia Deveraux at first sight, his family thinks this is the start of yet another of his failed courtships. Benjamin is almost as surprised as they are when Lydia encourages his attention and even agrees to marry him. His family suspects she is after his newly-inherited ten thousand pounds, but Benjamin holds out hope that at last he has found his true love.Lydia can’t help finding Benjamin attractive. After all, he is handsome, kind, and compassionate. But her heart belongs to Ireland - and to an Irish rebel who died for the cause of freedom. Now Lydia is determined to marry for wealth and political influence so she can help free Ireland from Britain’s rule.Even if that means trapping Benjamin in a loveless marriage.As their courtship progresses, Lydia and Benjamin find themselves caught in a web of lies, plots, and unquenchable lust. The only question is: can they help Ireland without breaking each other’s hearts? This latest installment of The Prestons from award-winning author Katherine Grant works as a standalone or a continuation of the series. less

Is love worth giving a second chance?Six years ago, Amy Lamplugh decided not to elope with Nate Preston. Ever since, she has been working hard to convince herself she was right to choose her family over Nate. Now, Nate is back. After an illustrious career as a naval captain, he faces a court martial for disobeying orders while fighting the slave trade. He accepts an invitation to await the trial at a country estate outside of Portsmouth - and discovers he is suddenly neighbors with Amy... moreIs love worth giving a second chance?Six years ago, Amy Lamplugh decided not to elope with Nate Preston. Ever since, she has been working hard to convince herself she was right to choose her family over Nate. Now, Nate is back. After an illustrious career as a naval captain, he faces a court martial for disobeying orders while fighting the slave trade. He accepts an invitation to await the trial at a country estate outside of Portsmouth - and discovers he is suddenly neighbors with Amy.Nate is shocked to find that Amy didn’t end up marrying someone rich and titled. Instead, she is a glorified companion to her younger sister - and is clearly battling some unnamed illness. Thrown together by circumstances outside their control, Nate and Amy try to be friends. Soon, it becomes clear that their feelings for each other never died. Do they dare risk their hearts again? Has anything changed, or are they destined for heartbreak once more? less

Is their marriage strong enough to weather this storm?Ever since their wedding day, Ellen Preston and Max Hainsworth have happily ignored the fact that one day they would become the Earl and Countess Meretta. When Max inherits his title, their life is upended - and a storm begins to brew.Returning from a long parliamentary season in London, Max discovers that things are not going well for Ellen at their new home of Montchampion Manor... moreIs their marriage strong enough to weather this storm?Ever since their wedding day, Ellen Preston and Max Hainsworth have happily ignored the fact that one day they would become the Earl and Countess Meretta. When Max inherits his title, their life is upended - and a storm begins to brew.Returning from a long parliamentary season in London, Max discovers that things are not going well for Ellen at their new home of Montchampion Manor. His mother is critical of the new countess, the carpenters don’t want Ellen in the workshop, and everyone is upset that Ellen and Max want to ban imports of tea and cotton. Worst of all, Ellen seems to have lost her faith in Max. Ellen is doing her best to adjust to her new life, but the house is too big, the servants are too suspicious, and Max is too distant. When nasty rumors make her question everything she believes in, she and Max must find a way to unite again - or risk forever being torn apart.You’ll enjoy this story if you have previously read The Viscount Without Virtue. Happily-ever-after guaranteed! less

Two hearts, one vow, and a world built to keep them apart. Can true love conquer all, or will this romance end in heartbreak?At age eleven, Caroline Preston and Eddie Chow vowed to marry.At sixteen, they renewed their pact with a kiss under a starry sky.Now, at last, Eddie is done with his apprenticeship. Caroline assumes they can finally begin planning their wedding... moreTwo hearts, one vow, and a world built to keep them apart. Can true love conquer all, or will this romance end in heartbreak?At age eleven, Caroline Preston and Eddie Chow vowed to marry.At sixteen, they renewed their pact with a kiss under a starry sky.Now, at last, Eddie is done with his apprenticeship. Caroline assumes they can finally begin planning their wedding. Even though she is a baron’s daughter and he is a tradesman, she knows her open-minded father won’t object - not when love is involved.But when they are finally reunited, they discover that Lord Preston has very different plans in mind. Plans to keep Eddie away from Northfield Hall. Plans to separate Caroline and Eddie forever.Threatened with never seeing each other again, Caroline and Eddie are forced to break free from their families in hopes of finding a happily ever after. As they come face-to-face with the challenges Lord Preston predicted, they must answer the ultimate is their love strong enough to survive the real world?Preorder The Miss Without a Mister at the special pre-release price before November 15! less

This secret love affair risks nothing except his legacy—and her heart. Lord Martin Preston is not looking for love. All he wants is to secure his legacy as a progressive baron and caring father. When the rector’s widow needs a place to stay, he doesn’t think twice before offering her a room at Northfield Hall.Martha Bellamy lives in shadows. For a decade, she has been under the cloud of scandal around her son’s demise, and now she must also live in the darkness of her husband’s death... moreThis secret love affair risks nothing except his legacy—and her heart. Lord Martin Preston is not looking for love. All he wants is to secure his legacy as a progressive baron and caring father. When the rector’s widow needs a place to stay, he doesn’t think twice before offering her a room at Northfield Hall.Martha Bellamy lives in shadows. For a decade, she has been under the cloud of scandal around her son’s demise, and now she must also live in the darkness of her husband’s death. Enchanted by Lord Preston, Martha volunteers to be his private secretary—and, she hopes, his new private friend. Martin didn’t know how much he craved a confidante like Martha. Yet as they share more and more of their hearts with each other, he cannot forget she is a poor widow in his care, not a woman he can love. When tragedy strikes, Martin finds himself doing everything he can in order to protect all he has worked for—and he must decide whether Martha is included in his legacy.In this final installment of The Prestons, Martin reckons with the legend of Northfield Hall and must prove once and for all whether he deserves the reputation he has earned. less