The Venturesome Ladies of Little Valentine Series by Emma V Leech

Sylvester Cavendish, the Earl of Beaumarsh, has never heard of Little Valentine, and if he had, he would never consider visiting.The spa town of Little Valentine is a charming and sleepy seaside destination, a place the middle classes retire to and the elderly visit to drink the waters. It is far from fashionable and offers none of the entertainment that Beau considers essential to endure another dull day.Yet Little Valentine is where the earl finds himself, having escaped an untimely death... moreSylvester Cavendish, the Earl of Beaumarsh, has never heard of Little Valentine, and if he had, he would never consider visiting.The spa town of Little Valentine is a charming and sleepy seaside destination, a place the middle classes retire to and the elderly visit to drink the waters. It is far from fashionable and offers none of the entertainment that Beau considers essential to endure another dull day.Yet Little Valentine is where the earl finds himself, having escaped an untimely death. Beau is well aware his cousin is the culprit, though just how he administered the poison he cannot fathom. But he is all that stands between his cousin Cuthbert and the earldom. Tired of waiting for his wicked relation to drink or debauch himself into an early grave, Cuthbert has taken matters into his own hands.Yet he had not reckoned on Kirby, Beau’s devoted valet. The ex-prize fighter hauls his lord and master out of harm’s way to recuperate in a place where no one will think to look for him. Sadly, still suffering the ill effects of his cousin’s toxic attentions, Beau makes an immediate impression upon the community, and especially Miss Clementine Honeywell, by vomiting over her shoes.Miss Honeywell is the eldest daughter of a kindly, if disorganised, vicar, and well used to taking charge of a situation. The arrival of the notorious Earl of Beaumarsh is certainly a circumstance that needs immediate attention. Like lancing a boil, they must rid themselves of him at once, before his noxious presence infects the rest of their delightful town.If only he wasn’t so very intriguing, and handsome, and… drat him!The man really must go. less

The beautiful young widow, Mrs Anne Adamson, is not exactly thrilled when the eligible Marquess of Stonehaven proposes marriage. Once upon a time, she might have thought all her dreams had come true, but that was a lifetime ago, when she still believed in heroes and foolish romantic imaginings. Now, she relishes her independence, her own financial security, and her new life, running the successful Mermaid’s Tale Hotel in Little Valentine... moreThe beautiful young widow, Mrs Anne Adamson, is not exactly thrilled when the eligible Marquess of Stonehaven proposes marriage. Once upon a time, she might have thought all her dreams had come true, but that was a lifetime ago, when she still believed in heroes and foolish romantic imaginings. Now, she relishes her independence, her own financial security, and her new life, running the successful Mermaid’s Tale Hotel in Little Valentine.Miss Beatrice Honeywell, by contrast, can think of nothing more delightful than a life spent in the company of the charming Marquess. She cares little for his title, nor even his wealth, but something about the man calls to her, making her believe in soul mates, love at first sight, and daring her to risk too much. Yet despite her much-vaunted beauty, the maddening man never looks her way.Indignant and insulted at having his proposal so summarily refused, Stonehaven comes up with a plan to get back into Anne’s good books. They were close friends once, after all, surely, he can bring her around again.But the events of one summer evening alter the future for all concerned when a brutal attack leaves Stonehaven blinded. Suddenly, everything he thought he knew about himself and about the women in his life has changed. Yet the Marquess of Stonehaven is not a man to sink under the weight of challenge, and despite the trials ahead, he faces the future with courage.With varying degrees of guilt and love and hope driving them on, neither Anne nor Beatrice will turn their backs on the brave marquess, doing what they think best for his future, and theirs, no matter the hazard to their hearts. less

Jasper King has always been an outsider in the idyllic village of Little Valentine—a place so charming it makes his teeth ache. Born the illegitimate son of a violent fisherman, Jasper grows up shunned by the townsfolk, his reputation marred by brawls and scandal. When a young woman accuses him of fathering her child, the village is quick to judge, and only the compassionate Reverend Honeywell stands by his side... moreJasper King has always been an outsider in the idyllic village of Little Valentine—a place so charming it makes his teeth ache. Born the illegitimate son of a violent fisherman, Jasper grows up shunned by the townsfolk, his reputation marred by brawls and scandal. When a young woman accuses him of fathering her child, the village is quick to judge, and only the compassionate Reverend Honeywell stands by his side. Facing a forced marriage and public disgrace, Jasper makes a desperate escape to London.Alone and destitute, Jasper’s fortunes change when the warm-hearted Mrs. Fairway rescues him from the brink. Determined to repay her kindness, he claws his way up from the notorious streets of St Giles, becoming the formidable King of the Rookeries—a man both feared and respected, who never forgets a debt.Years later, when Mrs. Fairway seeks his help to protect a young lady from ruin, Jasper spirits her away to the one place she’ll never be found: Little Valentine. But fate—and the ghosts of his past—are waiting. Returning to the village to warn an old friend of danger, Jasper finds himself drawn to The Mermaid’s Tale, now owned by the enigmatic Mrs. Anne Adamson.When the King of the Rookeries meets the genteel lady of Little Valentine, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and Jasper must confront the past he tried to escape.Can love redeem a rake, or will the shadows of yesterday destroy his chance at happiness forever? less