The Beaumonts Series by Aydra Richards

She will break his heart even at the cost of her own. Lydia Alcott left London beneath a cloud of shame and ignominy five years ago, when her affair with Marcus Beaumont, Baron Newhaven, came to a disastrous end. Now she has built a successful career as an actress, but her return to London places her once more within Marcus’ notice—and the reach of his wrath... moreShe will break his heart even at the cost of her own. Lydia Alcott left London beneath a cloud of shame and ignominy five years ago, when her affair with Marcus Beaumont, Baron Newhaven, came to a disastrous end. Now she has built a successful career as an actress, but her return to London places her once more within Marcus’ notice—and the reach of his wrath. Marcus ordered Lydia away from London when the revelation of her infidelity left him devastated and heartbroken, warning her that to return would be to invite her own destruction. Now, seeing her upon the stage, the desire for revenge consumes him—he will hold her heart in the palm of his hand and crush it as she once did his own. But Lydia has resentments of her own to satisfy. Unjustly accused of infidelity, she now intends to bring Marcus to his knees in truth. Thus begins a dangerous game of retribution and seduction neither intends to lose. But when old passions surface once more, each must make the choice whether to surrender their antipathy. She will never again be his mistress, and he will not make her his wife…unless the truth, long buried, can set them free from the past. less

Lady Diana Beaumont has a fiancé—in theory. In practice, she’s languished at the edges of ballrooms for years, waiting for her absent betrothed to fulfill his obligations to her. But the Earl of Weatherford has eschewed polite society for a decade, and Diana is weary of waiting. If he will not come to her, then she will go to him, and put an end to their sham of an engagement at last. Ben Gillingham is an earl—in theory... moreLady Diana Beaumont has a fiancé—in theory. In practice, she’s languished at the edges of ballrooms for years, waiting for her absent betrothed to fulfill his obligations to her. But the Earl of Weatherford has eschewed polite society for a decade, and Diana is weary of waiting. If he will not come to her, then she will go to him, and put an end to their sham of an engagement at last. Ben Gillingham is an earl—in theory. In practice, it’s been nearly a decade since he has called himself anything other than plain Mr. Gillingham. Cut off by his father years ago, he is now only a simple laborer with a young daughter to provide for. A daughter whose origins make it impossible to bring her out in society, whose education is sadly lacking, and whose hellish behavior will see them ruined if he cannot find someone to watch over her while he works to secure a better life. When Diana arrives at his door to demand his assistance in breaking their engagement, Ben sees opportunity. He agrees to give her what she demands, if she will mind and educate his daughter. But as threads of attachment begin to bind them, an end to their engagement no longer seems quite so desirable. Can their unexpected love weather the obstacles still in their path? less

Lord Rafe Beaumont has loved Lady Emmeline Prescott for nearly half his life. She is the widow of his former friend, his younger sister’s closest companion…and she doesn’t even know he exists. For years he has contented himself with his position at the very periphery of her life, knowing it is the closest he can ever allow himself to be. Emma has made a life for herself taking in and raising London’s less fortunate children... moreLord Rafe Beaumont has loved Lady Emmeline Prescott for nearly half his life. She is the widow of his former friend, his younger sister’s closest companion…and she doesn’t even know he exists. For years he has contented himself with his position at the very periphery of her life, knowing it is the closest he can ever allow himself to be. Emma has made a life for herself taking in and raising London’s less fortunate children. They fill the void left by the children she was never able to have—but she is still lonely. Though she has no desire to remarry, she resolves to take a lover to fill her empty nights. Someone she doesn’t know; someone who poses no risk to her fortune or her reputation. She has no reason to suspect that a single unwise comment made to the wrong person has thrust her back into a danger she has never known existed, and Rafe is determined to rescue her from it once more. But he must do it without revealing himself for the spy he truly is, while warming the bed of the only woman he has ever loved. .. the woman he widowed ten years ago. less

Miss Phoebe Toogood has never wanted children of her own and, at nine and twenty, has spent a decade avoiding matrimony in her efforts to remain happily childless. But now that her potential suitors have turned toward widowers seeking mothers for their children, Phoebe is growing increasingly desperate. The bastard son of an earl, Christopher Moore has been both criminal and spy in his time... moreMiss Phoebe Toogood has never wanted children of her own and, at nine and twenty, has spent a decade avoiding matrimony in her efforts to remain happily childless. But now that her potential suitors have turned toward widowers seeking mothers for their children, Phoebe is growing increasingly desperate. The bastard son of an earl, Christopher Moore has been both criminal and spy in his time. Now that his connection to his half-sister, Lady Emma, is public knowledge, he knows he must polish his dreadful reputation lest it taint hers, too. For that he needs a damned wife. Not just any wife, but a proper lady from a respectable family to ease him into a society that will not accept him otherwise. When Phoebe’s family moves into the house next door to Chris’, they forge a secret friendship between them. Neither wants to be married, but they need each other nonetheless—so they strike the perfect deal. A marriage of convenience, to the benefit of both. At least until their convenient marriage becomes somewhat less than convenient…. less