Royal Dynasty Series by Roberta Gellis

Leonie de Conyers’ life had been destroyed by the French Revolution. Her mother and brother had died in the prison where she had been raped and starved for no greater crime than her father’s title. And her father had died in the escape engineered by an utter stranger, who claimed he had come to bring her to England where she would inherit the property and wealth of an uncle. After what had happened to her, did Leonie dare to believe in such altruism? Roger St... moreLeonie de Conyers’ life had been destroyed by the French Revolution. Her mother and brother had died in the prison where she had been raped and starved for no greater crime than her father’s title. And her father had died in the escape engineered by an utter stranger, who claimed he had come to bring her to England where she would inherit the property and wealth of an uncle. After what had happened to her, did Leonie dare to believe in such altruism? Roger St. Eyre’s life had been destroyed by the girl he fell passionately in love with. Solange did not love him; she was selfish and vicious and extravagant. By the time she died, Roger felt dead himself. Perhaps he was hoping for the peace death brings when he set out to wrest his old friend Henry de Conyers from the murderous grip of the French Revolution. Instead Roger and Leonie both found love and reasons to live—if they could escape exposure to the revolutionary fanatics ... and their favorite toy, the guillotine. less

Megaera's father sold her in marriage at fifteen to Edward Devoran. Edward's extravagance mortgaged her estates and induced him to join a band of smugglers. Meg paid the interest by selling her jewels and when they were gone-Edward was gone too, murdered by his partner Black Bart. Meg became the smuggler Red Meg, took Edward's place and Edward's profits and kept paying her mortgages. Philip St. Eyre wanted to fight Napoleon... moreMegaera's father sold her in marriage at fifteen to Edward Devoran. Edward's extravagance mortgaged her estates and induced him to join a band of smugglers. Meg paid the interest by selling her jewels and when they were gone-Edward was gone too, murdered by his partner Black Bart. Meg became the smuggler Red Meg, took Edward's place and Edward's profits and kept paying her mortgages. Philip St. Eyre wanted to fight Napoleon. Raised as a Frenchman and able to pass as French, he was the perfect spy and had a way to reach France through his father's old friend, the smuggler Pierre. Thus Philip met Red Meg and fell in love. Meg thought Philip was Pierre's by-blow, Philip thought Meg was a common smuggler. To both gently born lovers the match was impossible. Until Black Bart tried to murder Meg, and Philip had to take her to France where her handiness with a pistol saved his life and his mission and exposed all their secrets. Publisher Note: The book was previously published elsewhere in 1981. less

Esmeralda Talbot, born and raised in India by a money-grubbing father, was accompanying him to England for his health when the luck that had made him rich finally failed. Not only were Esmeralda and her father shipwrecked in Portugal but they were stranded in the midst of the French invasion of that country. Then Merry’s father died and because she was British she was the enemy to the invading French... moreEsmeralda Talbot, born and raised in India by a money-grubbing father, was accompanying him to England for his health when the luck that had made him rich finally failed. Not only were Esmeralda and her father shipwrecked in Portugal but they were stranded in the midst of the French invasion of that country. Then Merry’s father died and because she was British she was the enemy to the invading French. War was Robert Moreton’s passion and he had found a position as aide de camp to Sir Arthur Wellesley, who headed the British force assigned to drive the French out of Portugal. War requires beasts of burden. Robert was sent to collect horses, mules, and oxen. He was horrified to discover instead of mules in a seaside village a British maiden in distress. That was the luckiest find of his life, but then control of the war was wrested from Sir Arthur’s hands. Stalemate under incompetent leaders was followed by a retreat that nearly cost the life Robert had saved and made wonderful. less

Fifth in the Heiress series. Abigail Lydden, widow of Francis, Lord Lydden, left America for England in the middle of the war of 1812 because her husband's father had died and her son was now heir to an earldom. Sir Arthur St. Eyre was also taken by surprise by Lord Lydden's death, finding himself executor of the earl's estate... moreFifth in the Heiress series. Abigail Lydden, widow of Francis, Lord Lydden, left America for England in the middle of the war of 1812 because her husband's father had died and her son was now heir to an earldom. Sir Arthur St. Eyre was also taken by surprise by Lord Lydden's death, finding himself executor of the earl's estate. Sir Arthur and Lady Lydden are thrown together and find it an attractive association, which becomes more and more intense when Victor's and Abigail's lives are threatened. But those threats are not the only problems. Sir Arthur is a Member of Parliament and eager for a British victory in America. Although British by birth, Abigail's sympathies are mainly with "poor little America", as a victim of Britain's armed power. The heat of contention only adds to the heat of attraction, but can Sir Arthur allow Abigail the independence she needs—and can he forgive her when he discovers she has committed treason? Accusation and enlightenment explode family ties, leaving Arthur and Abigail to reorder their lives... if they can. Publisher's Note: This book was originally published elsewhere in 1984. less