The Leighs Series by M.A. Nichols

Two sisters, one beau, plus one poorly addressed love letter equals one tricky courtship.Prudence Leigh is well on her way to being a spinster. That dreadful future may be a few years away, but with every man chasing after her beautiful younger sister, Prudence has little hope of finding love. But when she receives a letter filled with heartfelt declarations, she discovers it’s not too late for her... moreTwo sisters, one beau, plus one poorly addressed love letter equals one tricky courtship.Prudence Leigh is well on her way to being a spinster. That dreadful future may be a few years away, but with every man chasing after her beautiful younger sister, Prudence has little hope of finding love. But when she receives a letter filled with heartfelt declarations, she discovers it’s not too late for her.But for such an ardent beau in writing, the gentleman acts quite strangely in person…Penmanship is not an important skill. Or so Dr. Parker Humphreys thought—until his love letter is delivered to the wrong sister!Surely, this must be a jest. When Parker arrives at the town ball, he hopes to discover if Miss Rosanna Leigh accepted his declaration of love. Instead, her plain elder sister is hanging at his elbow, gazing up at him with stars in her eyes. Now, Parker is stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place.What lady would accept a beau after he broke her elder sister’s heart? Yet he cannot let this mistake stand—he loves Rosanna! If only he can get Prudence to realize how poorly they suit each other. Then she would break with him, and Parker would be free. Yes, a temporary courtship might be the ticket. Surely, that can work.Yet despite his oddest behavior, Miss Leigh seems determined to keep him.And Parker isn’t so certain he wants to be free of her. less

He wanted peace. She wanted quiet. Together they found trouble.Rosanna Leigh must find a husband. For her sake, she wants a happy marriage and a quiet life, but her parents demand a gentleman of consequence. Preferably a nobleman. At the very least, a wealthy heir. Certainly not a dashing servant with a smile that makes Rosanna’s heart skip a beat... moreHe wanted peace. She wanted quiet. Together they found trouble.Rosanna Leigh must find a husband. For her sake, she wants a happy marriage and a quiet life, but her parents demand a gentleman of consequence. Preferably a nobleman. At the very least, a wealthy heir. Certainly not a dashing servant with a smile that makes Rosanna’s heart skip a beat.And despite her better judgment, she finds herself drawn to him…Malcolm Tate is a matrimonial prize, and many a matchmaking mama has tried to catch him for her daughter. Fleeing London, he seeks solitude in the countryside where he needn’t worry about their mercenary machinations. But when a gorgeous and intriguing young lady literally falls into his arms, Malcolm longs for a way to court her in peace.When she mistakes him for a servant, Malcolm can’t help but take advantage of the opportunity. It’s just a bit of playacting. His name and money are only minor details, after all.Aren’t they? less

She thought it was love. He thought she was someone else.Between keeping his father from bankrupting their mill and managing his mother’s and sisters’ fretting, David Archer has enough on his plate, thank you very much. Love and marriage never crossed his mind. But when a chance encounter at a masquerade throws the perfect lady in his path, David knows he’s found the woman of his dreams. No other will do.If only he knew her name... moreShe thought it was love. He thought she was someone else.Between keeping his father from bankrupting their mill and managing his mother’s and sisters’ fretting, David Archer has enough on his plate, thank you very much. Love and marriage never crossed his mind. But when a chance encounter at a masquerade throws the perfect lady in his path, David knows he’s found the woman of his dreams. No other will do.If only he knew her name.Surely, someone must know her identity, and David won’t stop searching until he finds her again.Overlooked by her family and ignored by society, Katherine Leigh knows better than to dream of marriage and love—no gentleman wants a spinster. But her silly heart can’t help but hope for one man in particular to see her as more than a plain wallflower.David started as her brother’s best friend and became hers as well. Now, Katherine can’t help but hope for something more—especially when he steals a kiss during the masquerade. But when their masks are gone, and their relationship remains unchanged, Katherine realizes an awful truth: he didn’t know it was her in the costume.Nursing her wounded pride and broken heart, Katherine is left with a difficult decision. Tell him and risk their friendship in the wild hope that he will love her despite previous disinterest? Or stay quiet and settle for the safety of what always has been?Can he love the real woman beneath the mask or does his heart belong only to his mystery lady? less

Can a marriage based on obligation become something meaningful?Benjamin Leigh is at a crossroads. Having reached his majority, his parents expect him to do his duty and break the entail that keeps them from selling off bits of the family’s estate. Doing so would destroy his family’s legacy, but to deny his parents would bring their wrath down upon his head.Bigger troubles arrive when Benjamin receives a letter from a dear schoolmaster, who was more a father figure than a teacher... moreCan a marriage based on obligation become something meaningful?Benjamin Leigh is at a crossroads. Having reached his majority, his parents expect him to do his duty and break the entail that keeps them from selling off bits of the family’s estate. Doing so would destroy his family’s legacy, but to deny his parents would bring their wrath down upon his head.Bigger troubles arrive when Benjamin receives a letter from a dear schoolmaster, who was more a father figure than a teacher. On his deathbed, he begs Benjamin to provide for his beloved daughter, who hasn’t money or connections to protect her once he is gone.Yet to do so would ruin her reputation.Unless she is his wife.Nan Price is stuck in a difficult situation. Whilst reeling from the death of her father, she finds herself turned out of the only home she’s ever known and barely able to feed herself, leaving her little choice when an old pupil of her father’s arrives and offers a marriage of convenience.With their present in upheaval and their future in question, they return to Benjamin’s family’s home and his parents’ disapproval at his having married a girl of such low standing—and they will do anything to be rid of Nan and free their estate from the entail.Can Benjamin remain strong against his parents’ machinations when their financial aid is the only thing keeping the young couple from the poor house? How will he provide for his wife without their support?And how can two strangers learn to coexist when so much stands between them? less