Part of Series
After Waterloo, Captain Sir Theo Grindon wanders to Edinburgh where he goes through a series of wealthy mistresses to whom he trades the use of his body for access to their large conservatories to indulge his true passion—botany. When his fourth mistress tosses him and his belongings into the street, his prospects appear grim. Until the timely arrival of his old friend, Sir Stirling James, with a proposition. Marriage to a woman with no designs on Theo’s body in her bed nor his heart at her feet. As she is in possession of the largest conservatory in England, it is an offer he finds difficult to refuse. Even if the lady in question with the face of a fairy queen and the disposition of a disgruntled hedgehog is daughter to a notorious murderer. After her father’s suspicious death, confirmed spinster Eden Turner is on the verge of losing both her fortune and her estate at Longbow. Family friend Sir Stirling James offers a practical solution. Marriage to a man whose only requirements are a bed and free run of Longbow’s considerable conservatory. Marriage to a studious botanist with no interest in entanglements of the heart seems a small price to pay to secure all she holds dear. Even if the botanist in question has the face of a Greek warrior, the body of a blacksmith, the appetite of a hoard of locusts, and a voice that turns her knees to jelly.
Author
Louisa Cornell read her first historical romance novel, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, at the age of nine. This inspired her to spend the next three years of her young life writing the most horrible historical romance novel ever written. Fortunately it has yet to see the light of day. As Louisa spent those three years living in a little English village in Suffolk (Thanks to her father's Air Force career.) it is no surprise she developed a lifelong love of all things British, especially British history and Regency-set romance novels. (And Earl Grey tea!) During those same three years, Louisa's vocal talent was discovered. Her study of music began at the London College of Music and continued once she returned to the States. After four music degrees and a year of study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, Louisa was fortunate enough to embark on a singing career in opera houses in Germany, Austria, and most of Eastern Europe. Now retired from an active career in opera, Louisa has returned to her first love – writing Regency-set historical romance. She has completed four books to date and A PERFECTLY DREADFUL CHRISTMAS is her publication debut. Two time Golden Heart finalist, three time Daphne du Maurier winner, and three time Royal Ascot winner, Louisa is a member of RWA, SMRWA and the Beau Monde Chapter of RWA. She lives in LA (Lower Alabama) with a Chihuahua so grouchy he has been banned from six veterinary clinics, several perfectly amiable small dogs, and a cat who terminates vermin with extreme prejudice. You can learn more about Louisa and her future publication plans at : www.louisacornell.com and https://www.facebook.com/RegencyWrite....
