Lords of Sussex Series by Lillian Marek

The Earl of Merton is back. Can he stay alive? After three years as an involuntary seaman in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns to an England roiled by unrest. The end of the war has brought economic hardship and unemployment. Merton starts a shipyard, bringing employment to his neighbors but embarrassment to his family. They want him to marry suitably and settle down to a normal aristocratic life. He is not interested...until he meets Miranda Rokeby... moreThe Earl of Merton is back. Can he stay alive? After three years as an involuntary seaman in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns to an England roiled by unrest. The end of the war has brought economic hardship and unemployment. Merton starts a shipyard, bringing employment to his neighbors but embarrassment to his family. They want him to marry suitably and settle down to a normal aristocratic life. He is not interested...until he meets Miranda Rokeby.Miranda is the daughter of a Boston shipowner visiting her English relatives. She has an American disdain for useless aristocrats...until she meets Merton.Together, they may be able to overcome the opposition of their families, but they have another problem. Someone is trying to kill the Earl of Merton. less

Kate Russell is furious. It was bad enough that her father had let her grow up in virtual poverty, but now, her dissolute brother wants to use her as payment for his debts. She runs away, determined to make her way so that she will never again be at the mercy of powerful men. Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh. He has overcome the shame of his parents’ scandalous lives and has a well-deserved reputation for honorable behavior. Then he encounters Kate, the niece of an old friend... moreKate Russell is furious. It was bad enough that her father had let her grow up in virtual poverty, but now, her dissolute brother wants to use her as payment for his debts. She runs away, determined to make her way so that she will never again be at the mercy of powerful men. Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh. He has overcome the shame of his parents’ scandalous lives and has a well-deserved reputation for honorable behavior. Then he encounters Kate, the niece of an old friend. There is some mystery about her background. She is not the sort of well-bred lady of impeccable reputation that he plans to marry someday, but he can’t get her out of his mind. less