Branches of Love Series by Sally Britton

He vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for. Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood. As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate... moreHe vows to never risk his heart again. She hides her love to avoid rejection. A marriage of convenience is not what either of them wished for. Overlooked by society and underappreciated in her family, Ellen Bringhurst has resigned herself to spinsterhood and a life of reading. Until her match-making friends contrive to reintroduce Ellen to the man she has secretly loved since their shared childhood. As the younger son to an earl, Marcus Calvert must wed in order to inherit his estate. Still nursing a broken heart, he prefers a practical approach to matrimony rather than romantic love. When Ellen is presented as a possible bride, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Ellen accepts his hand, hiding her feelings rather than risking her husband’s rejection. Marcus, though determined not to expose his heart again, finds more to admire in his childhood friend with each passing day. What began as a sensible arrangement now has the possibility to become so much more. But is Marcus willing to risk his heart a second time? less

Lady Virginia Macon, the recently widowed Baroness of Heatherton, has an impossible decision to make. Her late husband’s unscrupulous brother wants to take her sons away from her, and the British courts are on his side, unless she marries a man willing to be the boys’ guardian. Locking her heart away and devoting herself to her children is the only way Virginia can countenance such a decision. Wearied by the world, Lucas Calvert, Earl of Annesbury, is tired of being alone... moreLady Virginia Macon, the recently widowed Baroness of Heatherton, has an impossible decision to make. Her late husband’s unscrupulous brother wants to take her sons away from her, and the British courts are on his side, unless she marries a man willing to be the boys’ guardian. Locking her heart away and devoting herself to her children is the only way Virginia can countenance such a decision. Wearied by the world, Lucas Calvert, Earl of Annesbury, is tired of being alone. His wife’s passing, years ago, has left his outlook gray and empty. His only recourse has been to make life better for those around him, using his considerable wealth and influence. When he learns of Virginia’s plight, he knows he can save her and her sons. Time spent in each other’s company, sharing the joys and pains of a long English summer, makes them question this marriage of convenience. Neither of them expect their hearts to be touched, for how could they hope to find love a second time? less

An arranged marriage, a choice to love, and the hope for a happily ever after. Rebecca Devon lives under the severe eye of her aunt, and the iron will of her father. She wears what she is told, befriends the people they choose for her, yet she spends every moment longing for freedom to do as she wishes. That freedom will only come through marriage - and her father has chosen the man who will be her husband... moreAn arranged marriage, a choice to love, and the hope for a happily ever after. Rebecca Devon lives under the severe eye of her aunt, and the iron will of her father. She wears what she is told, befriends the people they choose for her, yet she spends every moment longing for freedom to do as she wishes. That freedom will only come through marriage - and her father has chosen the man who will be her husband. Christian Hundley has learned the hard way that English society won't accept a person who looks or behaves differently than their ideal. He's hid himself away from judgmental eyes for several years until his aging grandfather takes matters in hand and finds Christian a bride. Carrying the weight of his family's past on his shoulders, Christian agrees to the marriage. Could an arranged marriage be anything other than a business partnership? Rebecca determines she must have love in her life, but Christian knows there is nothing so painful and destructive as that emotion. At a summer house party in the countryside, Rebecca does everything she can to change his mind. less

A gentleman lacking direction and a vicar's daughter full of conviction have little in common. But as their friendship grows, so do deeper feelings.Harry Devon, son of a wealthy gentleman who cared more for money than his family, has returned to the family estate at last. Without direction, and lacking the knowledge necessary to run his estate, Harry is prepared to leave it to others to make the difficult decisions. Until he meets the vicar's daughter... moreA gentleman lacking direction and a vicar's daughter full of conviction have little in common. But as their friendship grows, so do deeper feelings.Harry Devon, son of a wealthy gentleman who cared more for money than his family, has returned to the family estate at last. Without direction, and lacking the knowledge necessary to run his estate, Harry is prepared to leave it to others to make the difficult decisions. Until he meets the vicar's daughter.Augusta Ames, who much prefers the childhood nickname Daisy, is preparing to open a school for daughters of poor tenant farmers. In the habit of serving others, Daisy determines to help Harry find his path and place in their community. When he embraces her plan with enthusiasm, their friendship begins to blossom into something more.But the Devon legacy is regarded with suspicion, thanks to the greed and cruelty of Harry's late father. When the neighborhood finds reason to turn on Harry, will Daisy trust her heart enough to love him still? less

When Penny and Robert meet again on Christmas Eve, will their childhood love bloom into something more? They only have the Twelve Days of Christmas to find out. Robert Ellsworth, born the son of a wealthy gentleman, is now a mere steward in the service of another. While his position brings him satisfaction, it does not make him much of a matrimonial catch. It hardly matters, as Robert’s heart has long belonged to his childhood friend... moreWhen Penny and Robert meet again on Christmas Eve, will their childhood love bloom into something more? They only have the Twelve Days of Christmas to find out. Robert Ellsworth, born the son of a wealthy gentleman, is now a mere steward in the service of another. While his position brings him satisfaction, it does not make him much of a matrimonial catch. It hardly matters, as Robert’s heart has long belonged to his childhood friend. When a chance meeting brings them face to face on Christmas Eve, he cannot bring himself to hope that she feels the same.When she lost her parents years before, Penelope Clark also lost contact with her dearest friend. Visiting the community where she grew up, Penny is taken aback by how handsome Robert has grown, and how little her girlhood infatuation has diminished. But when a Christmas Ball leads to a mistletoe kiss him, she finds herself as much in love as ever before. Unfortunately for her, Robert confesses his heart already belongs to a mysterious woman.Through the Twelve Days of Christmas, Penny and Robert each make a wish for the other’s happiness. Will they realize only confessing their hearts will grant those wishes before their time together is spent? Penny’s Yuletide Wish is a sweet Regency romance novella, and continuation of the Branches of Love series by Sally Britton. It can be read as a stand-alone romance. Other books in the series include: Prequel Novella: Martha's Patience The Social Tutor The Gentleman Physician His Bluestocking Bride The Earl and His Lady Miss Devon's Choice Courting the Vicar’s Daughter Other books by Sally Britton include: Rescuing Lord Inglewood, Inglewood Book One Discovering Grace, Inglewood Book Two Saving Miss Everly, Inglewood Book Three The Captain and Miss Winter His Unexpected Heiress less