Love Series by Marion Chesney, M.C. Beaton

To escape her cruel uncle’s guardianship, a debutante agrees to marry a man she despises in this regency romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.   After her parents’ death, Elizabeth Markham is reduced to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle, Elizabeth is forbidden to participate in the season’s festivities... moreTo escape her cruel uncle’s guardianship, a debutante agrees to marry a man she despises in this regency romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.   After her parents’ death, Elizabeth Markham is reduced to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle, Elizabeth is forbidden to participate in the season’s festivities. Realizing that marriage is her only escape, she enacts a daring plan to trick her way into the Duke of Dunster’s exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors.   At the party, Elizabeth flirts with all but the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, though he’s considered to be quite a catch. But when her uncle discovers her deception, it is Charles who comes to her rescue—by announcing their engagement!   Meanwhile, Elizabeth has come into an inheritance. And her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive it. Even if she begins to see Charles for the kindhearted man he is, will their match be enough to save her?   A Regency Intrigue novel from Marion Chesney, writing as M.C. Beaton, New York Times–bestselling author of the popular Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series, both of which have been adapted for TV by the BBC and PBS. less

Lady Lucinda Esmond’s swine of a father was forever fleecing young bucks in London’s gaming halls - until he met Captain Mark Chamfrey who, having been once cheated, would not be made a fool of again and promptly kidnapped ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom! But, when Chamfrey thought better of it and returned the girl, Esmond nonetheless exacted his own price: Chamfrey could redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence, just time enough for Chamfrey to inherit... moreLady Lucinda Esmond’s swine of a father was forever fleecing young bucks in London’s gaming halls - until he met Captain Mark Chamfrey who, having been once cheated, would not be made a fool of again and promptly kidnapped ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom! But, when Chamfrey thought better of it and returned the girl, Esmond nonetheless exacted his own price: Chamfrey could redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence, just time enough for Chamfrey to inherit a title and fortune. Lucinda’s father could not have foreseen what a beauty Lucinda would become, nor that Chamfrey, a newly made Marquess, would actually welcome the fulfillment of what was supposed to be his punishment! less