Ladies in Love Series by Jennie Tremaine, Marion Chesney, M.C. Beaton

Poor Ginny Bloggs! She had inherited a fortune, a magnificent country estate, and her benefactor's disgruntled relatives - a quartet of querulous schemers - who were horrified to find themselves suddenly at the mercy of a low, common girl; a total stranger - the coal merchant's daughter! Poor Ginny Bloggs! The handsome Lord Gerald de Fremney himself had pledged to keep the more unruly relatives in line. He thought he understood thoroughly modern women... morePoor Ginny Bloggs! She had inherited a fortune, a magnificent country estate, and her benefactor's disgruntled relatives - a quartet of querulous schemers - who were horrified to find themselves suddenly at the mercy of a low, common girl; a total stranger - the coal merchant's daughter! Poor Ginny Bloggs! The handsome Lord Gerald de Fremney himself had pledged to keep the more unruly relatives in line. He thought he understood thoroughly modern women. Her reluctant guardians thought they understood society. Such was Ginny Bloggs; as delicate as a china doll, as bold as brass. She understood them all, and now she was going to teach them all what it meant to be a lady!ABOUT THE SERIESIn this whirlwind series, Marion Chesney brings us spirited, independent women who are at once bewitching, beguiling and determined to have their say and make their mark on both their world and the world at large, be it within their social circle or extending beyond. With their arms wide open, these women are absolutely original and unforgettable as are the tales in which they are featured. Here is life in all of its folly and foibles in a dizzying place where dreams are both shattered and made.ABOUT THE AUTHORFrom 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom. less

The Beast. That was what they called her. With her plump body and rough tomboy ways, she was more like a clown. It was hopeless. Poor, penniless Tilly could only sit among the chaperons as paid companion to the spiteful Lady Aileen and dream. But suddenly Phillip, Marquess of Heppleford-- the most eligible bachelor of them all--up and married her. He meant to keep his freedom, fulfill the conditions of his father's will, and shock his aunts... moreThe Beast. That was what they called her. With her plump body and rough tomboy ways, she was more like a clown. It was hopeless. Poor, penniless Tilly could only sit among the chaperons as paid companion to the spiteful Lady Aileen and dream. But suddenly Phillip, Marquess of Heppleford-- the most eligible bachelor of them all--up and married her. He meant to keep his freedom, fulfill the conditions of his father's will, and shock his aunts. He never imagined he'd return from a scandalous adventure in Paris to find a seductive beauty... a beauty who had learned that loving well is the best revenge... less

Poor little Susie. A beautiful dreamer, she imagined herself happy in a rose-covered cottage, only to find herself mistress of a great damp castle and wife to the elderly Earl of Blackhall. Luck, not the lecherous earl, contrived to spare her, and by her wedding night she was transformed to a wealthy young widow. But her trials had just begun. The old countess was determined to turn the simple country miss into a sophisticated lady... morePoor little Susie. A beautiful dreamer, she imagined herself happy in a rose-covered cottage, only to find herself mistress of a great damp castle and wife to the elderly Earl of Blackhall. Luck, not the lecherous earl, contrived to spare her, and by her wedding night she was transformed to a wealthy young widow. But her trials had just begun. The old countess was determined to turn the simple country miss into a sophisticated lady. Meanwhile, handsome Sir Giles was determined to unmask her as a dangerously cunning young minx.Sweet, naive Susie. Luck had brought her a fortune she d never wished for, but what stroke of fortune could make her dreams of real and innocent love come true? less

Daisy Jenkins never expected to be anything more than a trespasser on the idyllic lawns of Marsden Castle. Then, suddenly, she was admitted into the magic circle of the Earl and Countess of Nottenstone, to await the arrival of the notorious Lord Chatterton, her father-a stranger whose very name was foreign to her. She was Daisy Chatterton now, adrift in a sea of aristocratic sharks who seemed both to court and mock her... moreDaisy Jenkins never expected to be anything more than a trespasser on the idyllic lawns of Marsden Castle. Then, suddenly, she was admitted into the magic circle of the Earl and Countess of Nottenstone, to await the arrival of the notorious Lord Chatterton, her father-a stranger whose very name was foreign to her. She was Daisy Chatterton now, adrift in a sea of aristocratic sharks who seemed both to court and mock her. And why did the elegant Duke of Oxeden offer his protection to this newcomer who made him laugh at the very word 'love'? less

[Read by Charlotte Anne Dore] Marion Chesney brings Regency England vividly to life in this tale of murder and romance. -- Maggie Macleod was weary of life with a soul sickness that ate into every fiber of her being. In a mad way, it did not seem strange to her that she should be on her way to the high court to stand trial for the murder of her husband. Her marriage seemed to have been one long, dreary desert lit by flares of cruelty... more[Read by Charlotte Anne Dore] Marion Chesney brings Regency England vividly to life in this tale of murder and romance. -- Maggie Macleod was weary of life with a soul sickness that ate into every fiber of her being. In a mad way, it did not seem strange to her that she should be on her way to the high court to stand trial for the murder of her husband. Her marriage seemed to have been one long, dreary desert lit by flares of cruelty. But Maggie is innocent in the matter of her beastly husband's death, and she resolves to answer the question that plagues her: Who did murder the man? less

She was the flower of Bermondsey, an East End slum, who rose to become a star. But Poppy Duveen quit the stage to marry Freddie Plummett, the only "gentleman" she had ever known--the bounder who died, leaving her in the castle and clutches of his formidable uncle, Hugo, the dazzling Duke of Guildham. How could she admit, even to herself, the dangerous attraction she tried to ignore? Clearly, Hugo thought her a waif, a common poor relation. Well, she'd show him and his toplofty family... moreShe was the flower of Bermondsey, an East End slum, who rose to become a star. But Poppy Duveen quit the stage to marry Freddie Plummett, the only "gentleman" she had ever known--the bounder who died, leaving her in the castle and clutches of his formidable uncle, Hugo, the dazzling Duke of Guildham. How could she admit, even to herself, the dangerous attraction she tried to ignore? Clearly, Hugo thought her a waif, a common poor relation. Well, she'd show him and his toplofty family. She'd return to the stage as Poppy Plummett, conquer London, and make a mockery of them all! less

Once Miss Amaryllis Duvane had been the reigning beauty of the London season, about to marry the man of her dreams and live and love happily ever after.Then her father died. Suddenly Amaryllis was penniless and alone, forced to survive on teh charity of relatives who made her little more than a servant to their husband-hunting daughters.Now the lord that Amaryllis had once loved - the magnificently handsome Marquess of Merechester - had come to court one of these daughters... moreOnce Miss Amaryllis Duvane had been the reigning beauty of the London season, about to marry the man of her dreams and live and love happily ever after.Then her father died. Suddenly Amaryllis was penniless and alone, forced to survive on teh charity of relatives who made her little more than a servant to their husband-hunting daughters.Now the lord that Amaryllis had once loved - the magnificently handsome Marquess of Merechester - had come to court one of these daughters. And the only thing Amaryllis feared more than his discovering the sad state to which she had descended, was her finding out that she still wanted him so heartbreakingly much... less