Scandalous Miss Brightwells Series by Beverley Oakley

What if a prospective suitor were told the object of his desire had only six months to live?Sweet, pretty Thea Brightwell endures a dull and quiet life of servitude as unpaid companion to her rich, crotchety Aunt Brightwell.However, an invitation to visit Bath in the company of her bold and beautiful Brightwell cousins who have made spectacular rags-to-riches marriages opens up a world of possibilities... moreWhat if a prospective suitor were told the object of his desire had only six months to live?Sweet, pretty Thea Brightwell endures a dull and quiet life of servitude as unpaid companion to her rich, crotchety Aunt Brightwell.However, an invitation to visit Bath in the company of her bold and beautiful Brightwell cousins who have made spectacular rags-to-riches marriages opens up a world of possibilities.When Thea's well-meaning but not-too-bright Cousin Bertram notices the gleam in the eye of Thea's secret admirer, wealthy, handsome Mr Sylvester Grayling, he's aware the charming rogue requires a potential bride with a dowry before he’ll show interest that may be misconstrued.But what if Mr Grayling were told that the damsel he covets were destined for her deathbed within six months?Thea has no idea of the lies Bertram has told the increasingly attentive Mr Grayling but she in turn is growing increasingly susceptible to his naughty but flattering overtures.Complicating matters are the love letters addressed to 'Miss Brightwell' but intercepted and misinterpreted by an increasingly excited Aunt Brightwell as coming from the gentleman who broke her heart twenty-five years before and who is surely paving the way for a final, heart-rending assignation with her.Heart-rending and disconcerting are the results, indeed! less

Lizzy Scott can’t wait six years for her inheritance.Heiress to a fortune, the dazzlingly divine Lizzy should be free to make a love match, but her controlling and sadistic guardian, Mrs Hodge, has other plans. She's promised Lizzy to Mr Dalgleish in exchange for a portion of Lizzy's inheritance.While Lizzy knows Mr Dalgleish is only after her money, he's also her best hope to escape the cruelty of Mrs Hodge's household... moreLizzy Scott can’t wait six years for her inheritance.Heiress to a fortune, the dazzlingly divine Lizzy should be free to make a love match, but her controlling and sadistic guardian, Mrs Hodge, has other plans. She's promised Lizzy to Mr Dalgleish in exchange for a portion of Lizzy's inheritance.While Lizzy knows Mr Dalgleish is only after her money, he's also her best hope to escape the cruelty of Mrs Hodge's household.But on her way to meet Mr Dalgleish at Quamby house, Lizzy is rescued by notorious Theodore McAlister, who's been branded a self-seeking fortune hunter following a scandalous incident a year earlier.Lizzy wonders if she can trade one fortune hunter for the other after sparks fly between her and the humorous and enigmatic Theo.But Theodore McAlister is no freer than Lizzy when it comes to making a love match. He's preparing for a secret marriage, contracted six months earlier, that will undoubtedly excite the gossips but should ensure his acceptance into polite society.It looks like Lizzy and Theo are destined for loveless marriages -- that is, unless the scandalous Miss Brightwells can come up with another cunning plot to overcome the twin encumbrances of Theo's hidden past and Lizzy's guardian's designs.Warning: This story contains humour, awkward situations and sizzling encounters. less