Cette série explore la vie de quatre sœurs naviguant les attentes sociétales et les désirs personnels après la mort de leur père. L'aînée se charge d'assurer des mariages avantageux pour elle-même et ses sœurs, faisant face à un tourbillon d'intrigues romantiques et de scandales inattendus. Chaque récit aborde les thèmes du devoir, de l'amour et de la poursuite du bonheur dans le contexte de la société de l'époque Régence.
Eloisa James delivers a captivating Regency romance that showcases her unique storytelling flair. As a New York Times bestselling author and RITA finalist, she brings a fresh perspective to the genre, promising readers an enchanting love story filled with charm and originality.
Prvá časť voľnej série o sestrách Essexových. Tess stojí po smrti otca pred neľahkou úlohou: dobre sa vydať a nájsť vhodných ženíchov aj pre svoje tri sestry – krásnu Annabel, romanticky založenú Imogen a praktickú Josie. Štyri sestry Essexové sa ocitnú na panstve vojvodu z Holbrooku – svojho poručníka, ktorý je milý a láskavý, ale priveľa pije. Keď si Tess myslí, že sa veci konečne pohli správnym smerom, jedna zo sestier tajne utečie s mladým lordom a Tessin snúbenec v deň ich plánovaného sobáša zmizne. Dvojnásobný škandál v rodine môže Tess zatušovať iba urýchleným vydajom – poruke je iba Lucius Felton, o ktorom idú kadejaké chýry a s ktorým prerušila styky aj jeho vlastná matka. Annabel sa zdá fešák, praktická Josie vyzdvihuje jeho bohatstvo. Tess je odhodlaná zachrániť sestrám budúcnosť a napokon súhlasí so sobášom z rozumu. Jej vzťah s manželom sa však vyvíja inak, ako predpokladala…
The rules of marriage . . . according to Miss Annabel Essex A husband must Rich. Make that very rich. She's had enough of leaky roofs and thread-worn clothing. English. London is the center of the civilized world, and Annabel has a passion for silk and hot water. Amiable. Good-looking would be nice, but not necessary. Same for intelligent. Isn't she lucky? She's found just the man! And her chosen spouse is nothing like the impoverished Scottish Earl of Ardmore, who has nothing but his gorgeous eyes, his brain—and his kisses—to recommend him. So what cruel twist of fate put her in a carriage on her way to Scotland with just that impoverished earl and all the world thinking they're man and wife? Sleeping in the same bed? Not to mention the game of words started by the earl—in which the prize is a kiss. And the forfeit . . . Well. They are almost married, after all!
Imogen, Lady Maitland, has decided to dance on the wild side. After all, she's in the delicious position of being able to take a lover. A discreet male who knows just when to leave in the morning.But Lady Maitland is still under the watchful eye of her former guardian, the wildly untamed Rafe, the Duke of Holbrook. He believes she is still in need of a "watchdog." She laughs at the idea that someone so insufferably lazy and devoted to drink can demand that she behave with propriety.It's Rafe's long-lost brother, a man who looks precisely like the duke but with none of his degenerate edge, who interests Imogen. To Imogen, he's the shadow duke . . . the man who really should hold the title. But when Imogen agrees to accompany Gabe to a masquerade...whose masked eyes watch her with that intense look of desire? Who exactly is she dancing with? The duke or the shadow duke? Rafe . . . or Gabe?
Fueled by the knowledge that notoriety is better than failure, witty, unconventional Josie does what no proper young lady should--she challenges fate. She discards her corset and flirts outrageously. She attends the horse races and allows an arrogant rakehell to whisk her behind the stables for a surreptitious kiss . . . and is caught!She doesn't want to marry the young hellion--but who's to help? Her chaperone keeps disappearing for mysterious appointments; her guardian is on his wedding trip; and his friend the Earl of Mayne is too busy staring into the eyes of his exquisite French fiancée.Can a marriage forced by stuffy convention and unwilling desire become the match of the season?
A witty, sexy novella about a virgin widow and a rake with something to prove. Eighteen months ago, Lizzie Troutt’s husband died in his mistress’s bed, leaving her determined to never marry again….and unfortunately virginal. Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single. When the chance for redemption in the form of a country house party invitation comes his way, Oliver is determined to prove himself a gentleman. Until he breaks all the codes of gentlemanly behavior…once again.