The Widowers of the Aristocracy: Boxed Set

by Linda Rae Sande

Synopsis

Four full-length sensual Regency romances make up this boxed set about four widowers. 

When Isabella believes she has witnessed her mother's murder at the hands of her father in THE DREAM OF A DUCHESS, she rides off to London in search of the man her mother always said she could go to in case of trouble. To keep her safe, Octavius, Duke of Huntington, agrees to hide Isabella in his country estate—and to allow her access to his stables and horses. But what about his heart?

When archaeologist Jasper, Viscount Henley, is caught kissing Marianne, he marries her despite knowing she's nearly blind. Determined to show his new bride the wonders of the Roman world as part of his next expedition—their wedding trip—Jasper will do whatever it takes for her to see more clearly, even if his own vision is clouded by a revelation in THE VISION OF A VISCOUNTESS.

When the headmistress of London's premiere finishing school dies, her son, Theodore Streater, is desperate to find a replacement. He's a bank clerk and has no idea how to run a girl's school. So when Daisy Albright appears to apply for the position, he hires her on the spot—even though he would rather hire her as his mistress. Left with only one arm from the last war, Teddy would prefer to take a wife, but who will marry a one-armed man? A former spy, Daisy has a secret she'd rather her employer not know, especially as she grows more fond of him. When she discovers what Mrs. Streater had already arranged on behalf of the school, though, her future employment and the fate of the school will be at risk in THE CONUNDRUM OF A CLERK.

What is real and what is fiction when it comes to Viscount Marcus Lancaster's life? A widower, he's imagined a life with Charity, a widowed countess, and he's determined to make it become a reality. Never mind that the matchmaker wants nothing to do with marriage. But she does have a secret desire in THE CHARITY OF A VISCOUNT.

Release date: November 16, 2019

Publisher: Twisted Teacup Publishing

Print pages: 1335

Sample

Chapter 2

A Twin Brother's Secret

The scent of roses had Clarinda Ann Brotherton closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, her expression one of pure bliss. Daniel Fitzwilliam adored seeing it, so he made sure she had occasion to display it every time she was in his company. 

Even if it was for only ten or fifteen minutes at a time.

“They are your favorite, aren’t they?” he murmured as he regarded the pink roses. Given the time of the year, there weren’t too many in full bloom, but there were enough for Lady Clarinda. He had seen to the delivery of a dozen of them to Stockton House the day before. The Mayfair home of her father, the Earl of Heath, was also where Lady Clarinda still resided. 

“Oh, indeed. Thank you for meeting me here again, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she said, her head angling so she could see if her lady’s maid was watching them. Sometimes Missy grew bored and simply stopped watching the couple as they strolled through the gardens.

“I look forward to the days when I can do it every day,” he replied, following her gaze to find her lady’s maid intrigued by a garden of red tulips. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Daniel leaned in and captured Clarinda’s lips in a quick kiss. “And that as well,” he whispered, referring to the kiss.

“As do I,” she countered with a grin. A slight dimple appeared in one cheek just as it bloomed with color. 

“Will you marry me then?” Daniel asked as he reached into a waistcoat pocket and pulled out a ring.

Clarinda rolled her eyes, and her smile widened. “Yes, of course I will,” she answered. Other than marrying in June, they hadn’t discussed their impending nuptials at length, his proposal was expected. She was betrothed to the Earl of Norwick, after all, and had been since she was fourteen. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed as she watched him slide the gold band on her finger. Three bright blue sapphires glittered in the morning light.

Daniel had thought topaz a better choice given her aquamarine eyes, but Mr. Bridge had assured him sapphires were more valuable. Although the ring had cost him more than six months of his Norwick earldom allowance, he knew the expense would be worth it just to see her reaction.

“Will you wear it every day?” he asked.

Clarinda finally tore her gaze from the ring and nodded. “Of course. But what shall I say when people ask when we’ll marry?” she queried. According to the contract her father and the late Earl of Norwick had signed eight years ago, she was to be married to the Norwick heir apparent by the time she was two-and-twenty. That birthday had already passed. 

“Will June give you enough time to make arrangements?” Daniel wondered. “I don’t want to rush you, but...”

“June would be perfect,” she interrupted. “Father will be so pleased to hear you’ve finally proposed. I’m so pleased,” she admitted with another grin. She suddenly sobered. “You do remember there are some other provisions that need to be met?”

Daniel winced, realizing she was referring to the businesses his brother, David, the current Earl of Norwick, still owned. Businesses that were inappropriate holdings for a man in his position. “I don’t own either one of them,” he said with a nod.

Clarinda’s brows furrowed until a fold of skin appeared between them. Daniel was tempted to press a forefinger against it, a move he knew she wouldn’t like one whit, even though she had done it to his knitted brow on more than one occasion. “I wonder why father made mention of them just yesterday then,” she murmured. “Oh!” she added as she placed a hand over her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to hear his comment, of course, given he was speaking of a men’s club and a... a brothel.” This last was said in a whisper, as if she wasn’t supposed to know of such a business. 

Shrugging, Daniel finally had to mention his brother. “David owns those businesses. Not me.”

Her face brightening, Clarinda nodded. “I’ve forgotten you have a brother. A twin, is he not?”

“That’s right,” Daniel acknowledged, hoping beyond hope she didn’t remember that it was David to whom she had been betrothed. A betrothal that stipulated David would divest himself of his unsavory businesses and marry Clarinda no later than her twenty-second birthday. Now that she was several weeks past turning two-and-twenty, Daniel was sure the contract for her marriage to David was null and void, which meant she could marry anyone. 

Why not him?

He had felt affection for her since the first time he laid eyes on her. They had met in Hyde Park whilst she and her chaperone rode horses in the afternoons. They danced together at balls and soirées, sat next to one another at Lady Worthington’s annual musicales, and rode horses during the fashionable hour in Rotten Row. Noting how David barely gave her a second glance when he attended the same entertainments, Daniel had decided Clarinda would be his wife.

About to kiss her again, Daniel allowed a sigh of disappointment when he realized the lady’s maid was regarding him with a rather sour expression. “I fear our time is up,” he murmured. “Will I see you here again?”

Clarinda allowed a smile. “Of course.” And then, in defiance of her lady’s maid’s presence, she lifted herself on tiptoes and kissed Daniel on his cheek. “Until then.”

Daniel gave her a bow and kissed the back of her hand before she hurried off, a sense of relief settling over him.

Now that she had accepted his proposal, the two of them could marry in June and all would be well. 

Well, eventually.