Women of Worcester Series by Julie Matern

She is an over-educated bluestocking who has never met a debate she did not like. He is the boy next door. Will she realize the perfect man is right in front of her? Olivia is the oldest of the four, beautiful Deverell sisters. She is also a reformed tomboy whose best friend is the earl next door. But she has reached the age where she is expected to marry—and her sisters can’t ‘come out’ until she does... moreShe is an over-educated bluestocking who has never met a debate she did not like. He is the boy next door. Will she realize the perfect man is right in front of her? Olivia is the oldest of the four, beautiful Deverell sisters. She is also a reformed tomboy whose best friend is the earl next door. But she has reached the age where she is expected to marry—and her sisters can’t ‘come out’ until she does. Philosophy, politics and debate of any subject are the tools of her trade but these might not get her far among the social elite of London. With little enthusiasm for her season, she has a change of heart when she learns that an eminent young scientist will also be in town. Orchestrating events to meet him, she is surprised when he invites her to help him with his work. Could this be a match made in heaven? Olivia is Book 1 in the Women of Worcester series. less

A feisty, young gentlewoman on a quest to serve the poor in her community. A handsome, young curate whose sights are set on Africa. Can they make peace to serve together? Feisty Genevieve Deverell is an enthusiastic humanitarian who has had little time for romance…until now. St John Vaughn is a young, handsome curate, biding his time until he can raise funds to go on a mission to Africa... moreA feisty, young gentlewoman on a quest to serve the poor in her community. A handsome, young curate whose sights are set on Africa. Can they make peace to serve together? Feisty Genevieve Deverell is an enthusiastic humanitarian who has had little time for romance…until now. St John Vaughn is a young, handsome curate, biding his time until he can raise funds to go on a mission to Africa. When the recently arrived cleric belittles Genevieve’s attempts at charity as parochial, her ego is wounded and in retaliation, she criticizes his foreign missionary ambitions for ignoring the plight of the downtrodden in his own country. Their conversation becomes heated with the pair finding no common ground and they determine to avoid each other at all costs—an unpractical decision in a small, country community. However, when a visit from the curate’s sister pulls back the curtain on the motives for his lofty ambitions, Genevieve’s heart begins to soften, in spite of St John’s loud declarations that he is not in the market for marriage. Can she succeed in changing his mind? Can he forgive her former condemnation? This is novella three in the Women of Worcester Series. less

Art is her passion until she meets John Brier. Felicity is the youngest of the four talented Deverell sisters. Her gift is art and when her brother-in-law suggests that she would bloom under the instruction of one of Italy's finest art teachers, her parents agree--if they can accompany her. In another part of Britain, the only heir to the Marquess of Kent, Maximillian Quince, is also a gifted artist, but his world is much more limited than Felicity's... moreArt is her passion until she meets John Brier. Felicity is the youngest of the four talented Deverell sisters. Her gift is art and when her brother-in-law suggests that she would bloom under the instruction of one of Italy's finest art teachers, her parents agree--if they can accompany her. In another part of Britain, the only heir to the Marquess of Kent, Maximillian Quince, is also a gifted artist, but his world is much more limited than Felicity's. He devises a plan that he hopes will allow him to go to Italy in order to complete a course of study under the famous Senor Designare. He proposes studying under an assumed name, and after some persuasion, his father agrees, confident that his privileged son will not last long as the bourgeois, John Brier. When the two young artists meet in Florence, there is a mutual attraction, but Max is bound by his honor not to reveal his true identity while Felicity tries to smother her feelings for the man she believes is far beneath her in station. Will she ever learn his true identity and allow her heart the freedom to love him? less