A reckless duke meets his match in a determined young woman – and throws her future into jeopardy with one stolen kiss. Miss Anna Hawkins, the daughter of a poor country doctor, knows the mysterious stranger who kissed her at the ball cannot really be the Duke of Beaumont. Dukes are virtuous and noble, and this man is arrogant, impudent… and dangerously seductive. When she discovers he is telling the truth, it only makes matters worse. Anna has more important problems than romance – a handsome duke is the last thing she needs. Beaumont cannot forget Anna Hawkins. It’s not only her sharp mind and delicate features. It’s not only the flame-red hair he longs to caress. It’s not even that she is the only woman in England to say no to a duke. Anna is not afraid to chastise Beaumont for his lack of virtue, and he has never wanted anyone more. Before long, he has only one desire: to make her his duchess. But it takes more than a dukedom to win a woman’s heart. This is the second book in the series Scandals of Scarcliffe Hall. You do not have to read the first book to enjoy this one! However, there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series.

From the New York Times bestselling author who “delivers lively lovers” and “entertaining, sensual historical romance” (Booklist) comes the first in her new series The Duke’s Men, featuring the Duke of Lyons and the illegitimate daughter of a viscount. They are the Duke’s Men—an investigative agency born out of family pride and irresistible passion...and they risk their lives and hearts to unravel any shocking deception or scandalous transgression. Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, accepted long ago that his kidnapped brother was dead. When a cryptic note from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claims otherwise, Max seeks out Tristan’s sister, Lisette—and is infuriated to learn that Tristan has mysteriously vanished. Have the siblings perpetrated an elaborate hoax? Or is the fiercely protective beauty as innocent as she claims? Fearful that the powerful duke will destroy Tristan’s career in his zeal for the truth, the clever Lisette convinces Max to accompany her to Paris in a joint search for their loved ones. But their journey takes a seductive twist when they pose as an ordinary husband and wife—not an English duke with a tarnished family name and the illegitimate daughter of a viscount—and discover an exhilarating passion free from the damning secrets of the past. With the line between danger and desire enticingly blurred, they discover that some mysteries, like those of the heart, are answered tenfold in the bliss of a true and trusting love.

Hidden Desire (Regency Men in Love 2) is the second book in the MM Regency series written by Carole Mortimer as C A MORTIMER Carole Mortimer is a USA Today Bestselling author, an Amazon #1 Bestselling author, and an International Bestselling author of over 260 novels in many different romance genres. Maxim Armitage, the Duke of Lancaster, has become totally smitten with Christopher Brooks since that young man came to work as a server at The Apollo Club, a gentleman’s club owned by Maxim and three of his closest friends. But their ages, Christopher is only nineteen to Maxim’s six and thirty, and the difference in their circumstances, Christopher is employed at The Apollo Club and Maxim is the powerful Duke of Lancaster, force Maxim to keep his distance. Until the night Maxim discovers Christopher being attacked by another man. Christopher Brooks was beyond grateful when he was offered employment at The Apollo Club. He enjoys his work there. The owners of the club are fair gentlemen. Most especially Maxim Armitage, the Duke of Lancaster, whom Christopher very quickly finds himself developing feelings for. His fellow workers have also become the family Christopher no longer has. All except one, and Christopher has managed to evade that man’s demands to date. Until the evening he is no longer able to do so. Being rescued and cared for by Maxim makes Christopher long for things he can’t have. Or can he? And what will become of their mutual attraction if or when Maxim learns the secret Christopher has been hiding from him?

In his haste to find a marriage of convenience, an arrogant baron proposes to his sworn enemy… Lady Jemima Stanhope has a secret she cannot share, even with her husband. Especially with her husband. Because that husband is the incorrigible rake, Lord Northmere. Northmere is the last man on earth Jemima wanted to marry, which is perfect. At least she knows he’ll leave her to investigate her brother’s death in peace. Now, if only she could stop thinking about him. How can a man be so unbearable, and yet still charming, generous, and perilously romantic? Ralph Morton, Baron Northmere, has secrets of his own. One of the most carefully hidden is that Lady Jemima has always entranced him. Now she is his – in name only. How can he nurture the marriage he wants when she is determined to keep him at arm’s length? And if she discovers the truth about his family, will she ever return to his side?

There are some young women who do as they’re told, and there are other young women who run away with devilishly handsome Naval officers. Miss Jennifer Cartwright is as surprised as anyone to discover that she is the second type of woman. But since her only other option is marrying the terrifying Lord Beeston, she’ll fling herself on the mercy of anyone who can smuggle her off to the safety of her sister’s country cottage. It’s just her luck that the man she flings herself upon is Captain Sebastian Whitby, who – quite apart from his rough manners and pistol-toting reputation – happens to owe Beeston his life. Sebastian takes paying his debts very seriously. He’ll do anything to persuade her to give Beeston a chance. Anything except stop kissing her, that is, because that keeps happening with alarming regularity. And, though Jennifer is certain she’s never met a ruder, more reckless, more impossible man in her life, she doesn’t want to stop kissing Sebastian, either…

Two warring families. One forbidden love. Lady Cecily Balfour was always taught that the Hartley men are mad, bad and dangerous to know. When she meets Robert Hartley, Earl of Scarcliffe, she makes a few additions to that list: Stubborn. Infuriating. Handsome. Charming. Tempting. Society expects Cecily to make an advantageous match of her father’s choosing. What can she do now that her own choice is a man she is expressly forbidden to see? The Earl of Scarcliffe enjoys hunting, drinking, billiards, and bachelordom. Love does not feature on his list of requirements. Especially for a woman with a stubborn streak a mile wide and a penchant for riding off on his favourite stallion. And if that same woman is a Balfour? Not a chance! But Cecily just happens to have a pair of striking blue eyes, a taste for adventure and a rapier-sharp sense of humour… Robert’s heart is in as much danger as his head will be if they are caught together. When Robert and Cecily defy their powerful families for love, what will they have to sacrifice in return?

In the game of espionage, love is a weakness... When Viscount Margrave joined the Regent's Consul, an elite group of spies formed during the Napoleonic Wars, he did so with the understanding he would never marry. Danger lurks around every corner in the world of intrigue, and vulnerability quickly becomes a nail in one's coffin. Unfortunately, the most alluring debutante of the Season has set her cap for him, and resisting the desire to make her his own is sweet torture. In the game of courtship, love is the prize... One magical kiss from her uncle's handsome godson under the mistletoe convinced Sophia Darlington of what she suspected all along. Lord Margrave is her soulmate. Persuading the stubborn viscount, however, is an exercise in frustration. One moment he encourages her to find a more suitable husband, then he frightens away would-be suitors with his dark glowers and menacing presence. The man is impossible, but she loves him. And she'll entice him into admitting he loves her too, even if it kills her. Join Sophia and Crispin on this exciting and romantic adventure today. Gentlemen of Intrigue: Book 1 Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart Book 2 A Secret in Her Eyes Book 3 A Lady's Secrets Book 4 Lord Margrave's Secret Desire