The Duel Series by Mary Lancaster

A deadly quarrel, an impossible love On his way to rejoin Wellington’s gathering army near Brussels, Major Giles Butler fights a duel with the opinionated Duke of Cuttyngham. It was never meant to be a killing affair, and yet the duke lies dead at his feet. Determined to contribute to the final victory over Napoleon before standing trial, Butler bolts for the coast. En route, he unwittingly aids the lovely young Duchess of Cuttyngham to escape her gilded cage... moreA deadly quarrel, an impossible love On his way to rejoin Wellington’s gathering army near Brussels, Major Giles Butler fights a duel with the opinionated Duke of Cuttyngham. It was never meant to be a killing affair, and yet the duke lies dead at his feet. Determined to contribute to the final victory over Napoleon before standing trial, Butler bolts for the coast. En route, he unwittingly aids the lovely young Duchess of Cuttyngham to escape her gilded cage.Desperate to live a useful life, Rosamund has left her husband’s cold and stifling house with the intention of becoming a village herbalist. She no longer believes in love or romance, especially not for herself, and yet by the time she learns of her husband’s death – and the identity of his killer – she is already falling in love.Hopelessly entangled with each other, family machinations, officers of the law, and an unusual pair of eloping young lovers – to say nothing of Bonaparte’s threat to the peace of Europe – Giles and Rosamund finally arrive in Brussels. But can they defy scandal and the law to be together?After all, how can a widow love the duellist who shot her husband? less

Awakening life and love… On the sudden death of her oppressive father in a duel, the cool and distant Lady Hera Severne finds herself floundering in her new freedom, and instantly attracted to sardonic doctor, Justin Rivers. Determined to change her life, she travels incognito to Lincolnshire, to take up a post as companion to Lady Astley and learn about life.But nothing is as she imagined it. Her cover is useless against Dr Rivers, whose family lives in the nearby village... moreAwakening life and love… On the sudden death of her oppressive father in a duel, the cool and distant Lady Hera Severne finds herself floundering in her new freedom, and instantly attracted to sardonic doctor, Justin Rivers. Determined to change her life, she travels incognito to Lincolnshire, to take up a post as companion to Lady Astley and learn about life.But nothing is as she imagined it. Her cover is useless against Dr Rivers, whose family lives in the nearby village. Lady Astley appears to have little need of a companion. Rather she wants a carer for her husband’s strange but amiable adult ward. Noises in the night, mystery, suspicion, and locked doors eventually force her to flee with Justin’s help - and her charge.Inevitable scandal follows them to Brussels, where Justin’s duty lies. But Justin, tortured by past failures and growing passion for the unworldly Hera, knows he cannot offer marriage to one so immeasurably above him in rank and fortune.But can he resist Hera, who has other ideas and the courage to follow them through? less

Abandoned by all, saved a cold-hearted rake…Sophia, once betrothed to Major Giles Butler, who shot the Duke of Cuttyngham in a duel, has become the companion of the widowed duchess. In theory, at least. But when the duchess also abandons Sophia at Cuttyngs, her past catches up with her in the shape of her bullying cousins... moreAbandoned by all, saved a cold-hearted rake…Sophia, once betrothed to Major Giles Butler, who shot the Duke of Cuttyngham in a duel, has become the companion of the widowed duchess. In theory, at least. But when the duchess also abandons Sophia at Cuttyngs, her past catches up with her in the shape of her bullying cousins. Sophia finds herself indebted to the late duke’s second, the haughty Earl of Frostbrook, whom she remembers only too well from a previous shocking, and secretly pleasurable, encounter.Frostbrook, pursued by every matchmaking mama and hounded by his own mother to accept a bride of her choosing, decides to play a trick on them all by producing his own pretend engagement to the beautiful but prickly Sophia. Their charade at his mother’s country house party sets off a string of unforeseen events such as falling in love, and a dangerous abduction.Frostbrook pursues Sophia across the sea and as far as Brussels, where Wellington’s troops are amassing to face Bonaparte’s army.Here, among the scandal-loving British visitors, he and Sophia must unite to overcome their pasts and find a chance of happiness.Read Free in Kindle Unlimited!The DuelEntangledCapturedDesertedBeloved less

A grieving widow risks sheltering a gentle man – in her haunted house.When George is tricked into seeking shelter at Hazel House, he is surprised to find it occupied only by a beautiful widow, her small son and two ancient servants. Shunned by the local community, they are intriguing and just a little strange. But then, so is George.The pull of attraction between George and Francesca seems to stir up the ghost of her late husband, while ignorant moral outrage in the village grows dangerous... moreA grieving widow risks sheltering a gentle man – in her haunted house.When George is tricked into seeking shelter at Hazel House, he is surprised to find it occupied only by a beautiful widow, her small son and two ancient servants. Shunned by the local community, they are intriguing and just a little strange. But then, so is George.The pull of attraction between George and Francesca seems to stir up the ghost of her late husband, while ignorant moral outrage in the village grows dangerous. George must be up to both challenges. But when tragedy strikes, can Francesca rediscover her strength in order to leave the past behind and grasp at new happiness? This story was originally published as Once Upon a Haunted Romance in the 2023 Dragonblade Anthology Once Upon a Haunted Romance.Read in Kindle Unlimited! less