School of Enlightenment Series by Maggie Sims

Orphaned at eighteen, Sophia Wilkinson has learned love means loss. Now she must leave her country home to navigate the opulence of the London Season, although she has no desire for romance or a husband.Edward Morduant, the newest Earl of Peterborough, is struggling with the business of his family estate. He has shunned marriage due to a shameful secret, but with his title comes the need for heirs.Despite their misgivings, Sophia and Edward cannot resist their attraction... moreOrphaned at eighteen, Sophia Wilkinson has learned love means loss. Now she must leave her country home to navigate the opulence of the London Season, although she has no desire for romance or a husband.Edward Morduant, the newest Earl of Peterborough, is struggling with the business of his family estate. He has shunned marriage due to a shameful secret, but with his title comes the need for heirs.Despite their misgivings, Sophia and Edward cannot resist their attraction. When she accidentally discovers his penchant for spankings, her curiosity is her undoing. A clandestine meeting risks a scandal. Only marriage to a reluctant bridegroom can save her reputation. But perhaps the School of Enlightenment can give her an education in love. less

1816 - LondonAfter her mother's death, Penelope Wood's hope of opening a bakery falls victim to the real need to support herself. When four retired courtesans present her with a temporary yet lucrative path back to her dream, she wants to hear more. Attending the School of Enlightenment, participating in a Virgin Auction, and becoming a courtesan all sound feasible. The most important rule--do not fall in love... more1816 - LondonAfter her mother's death, Penelope Wood's hope of opening a bakery falls victim to the real need to support herself. When four retired courtesans present her with a temporary yet lucrative path back to her dream, she wants to hear more. Attending the School of Enlightenment, participating in a Virgin Auction, and becoming a courtesan all sound feasible. The most important rule--do not fall in love. Lord Michael Slade, heir to the Earl of Mansfield, loves his family above all else, cooks for relaxation, and revels in his membership to a discreet spanking club. But his father is ill, and his mother is pushing him to marry. Even so, when he meets a dark-haired beauty who doesn’t mind a good spanking and discovers she's up for auction, he can't let her go to another man. He has to have her...at least until he finds a wife. With an inevitable marriage looming and a vow to remain faithful to his hypothetical bride once he's engaged, both Penelope and Michael must protect their hearts, even as they find a connection they cannot deny. less

Lady Althea Egerton’s late husband secured her independence when he left her his apothecary. After two years of growth, she is ready to expand the business…if she only had capital. Finding a wealthy husband would solve that problem, but Althea refuses to subjugate herself to another man. She prefers an investor. Unfortunately, the only one she knows is the golden god of hedonism, and his help comes with a price.Evan Gardner, Earl of Cheltenham, is bored... moreLady Althea Egerton’s late husband secured her independence when he left her his apothecary. After two years of growth, she is ready to expand the business…if she only had capital. Finding a wealthy husband would solve that problem, but Althea refuses to subjugate herself to another man. She prefers an investor. Unfortunately, the only one she knows is the golden god of hedonism, and his help comes with a price.Evan Gardner, Earl of Cheltenham, is bored. At twenty-eight, he has no equal in business, politics, or seduction. None of them hold his interest. Even his annual week-long orgy disguised as a house party leaves him cold. Yet the prudish widow, who wants only his money, intrigues him. As neither of them wants the trappings of marriage, a dalliance with the elegant widow might be just the challenge he’s been searching for.Though Althea cannot resist the lure of ecstasy he offers as condition for his assistance, a continued liaison could risk her reputation and her store’s profits. To win this negotiation, Evan will have to ensure she can have both independence and pleasure. less

An outrageous free spirit meets her match in an introvert with a secret leather businessRaised as a free spirit, Beth Jenkins refuses to submit to the Ton’s rigid rules. She has fun where she wants, with whomever she wishes. By day, she excels at matching people’s needs with those who can provide them. That talent and her cousin, Lady Althea Egerton, are the only barriers standing between her and complete ostracization... moreAn outrageous free spirit meets her match in an introvert with a secret leather businessRaised as a free spirit, Beth Jenkins refuses to submit to the Ton’s rigid rules. She has fun where she wants, with whomever she wishes. By day, she excels at matching people’s needs with those who can provide them. That talent and her cousin, Lady Althea Egerton, are the only barriers standing between her and complete ostracization.When her cousin requires an investor for her business, Beth gains them an entrée to a house party hosted by a wealthy earl, where she encounters Robert Orford. The intimate leather apparel and toys of pleasure he creates entice Beth as much as the man himself, and she is determined to pursue him.As the stocky second son of an earl, Robert was bullied as a child and hates being in the public eye. Beth’s behavior is far too outrageous for his tastes. If only she didn’t have the curvy figure he most admires, perfect for testing his leather pieces.But Beth refuses to be tamed, so if she can’t convince him to care less about society’s disapproval, they could be forced to walk away from the perfect partnership for leather and love. less