Previously published as "Much Ado About Nuptials" in the anthology The Wedding Season Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing. In spite of their many differences, Sebastian finds himself drawn to forthright, loyal Rebecca. Yet he fears his admiration for the lady may overturn his good judgment and erode his resolve. Rebecca fights her growing attraction to Sebastian, which threatens to divide her loyalties…and perhaps break her heart. If only she can help him believe in true love once again, there may be hope for more than one happy ending!

Napoleon himself never gave Captain Gideon Radcliffe as much trouble as Miss Marian Murray. The fiercely protective governess won't rest until she gains permission for the daughters of his late cousin to stay on at Gideon's newly inherited estate. He agrees to let Cissy and Dolly remain at Knightley Park for Christmas. But by springtime they—and Marian—must go. Marian is prepared to believe the captain a tyrant. The truth is far more complicated. Gideon is a kind yet solitary man who sees the navy as his only sanctuary. Can Marian's unwavering faith, and the children's Christmas cheer, convince him he's found safe harbor at last?

Lord Steadwell's three motherless daughters were heartbroken when their last governess ran off to elope. In her dowdy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby seems an ideal replacement—a nurturing, intelligent woman uninterested in marriage. No wonder Rupert doesn't recognize Grace as the golden-haired vision at a masked ball, who slips away before midnight….Frightened by the unwanted attentions of previous employers, Grace resolved to hide her beauty…and her growing feelings for Rupert. One enchanted evening—and a sweet, breathtaking kiss—changes everything. For with Grace's three adorable charges playing fairy godmother, Rupert may discover his happy ending is closer than he thinks.

Could he be her knight in shining armor? Colonel Gavin Romney, Earl of Hawkehurst returns home from Waterloo, wounded in body and spirit. He made a vow to a dying comrade that he would hunt down Napoleon Bonaparte and bring him to justice. As soon as he is recovered, Gavin intends to take up the chase. But first he must contend with a formidable adversary on the home front – his children’s governess, Hannah Fletcher. Capable, caring Hannah cannot bear the possibility of her beloved charges being orphaned entirely, as she once was. She resolves to use the earl’s period of convalescence to help him bond with his five-year-old son and infant twins. Gavin doubts his ability to be a good father. He is a warrior, not a family man, as his unhappy marriage proved. But with Hannah’s encouragement he quickly comes to care for the babies and finds he might have a capacity for fatherhood after all. He and Hannah gradually discover they were mistaken in their past judgments about one another. Gavin is conflicted about his growing attachment to him children and their governess, which threaten make him forget his sworn duty. Hannah struggles with her unexpected feelings for earl, which place both her heart and conscience at risk. When unfolding events in Europe bring matters to a head, Gavin offers an impulsive proposal. Will it only be a marriage of convenience for the sake of his children, as Hannah fears? Or can a wounded warrior become her knight in shining armor?

How could a governess refuse a duke? Irrepressible Leah Shaw arrives at Renforth Abbey to teach the Duke of Northam’s invalid son for one year, the longest she ever stays in one position. At first His Grace, Hayden Latimer does not want Leah to stay for a single day, let alone an entire year. The new governess reminds Hayden too much of his late wife, whose heedless behavior almost cost his son’s life. He fears Leah will endanger the boy by allowing him too much freedom. The handsome, brooding duke reminds Leah of the rigid teachers against whom she rebelled as a child. But as she watches Hayden amuse his son for hours on end, she cannot deny his excessive protectiveness springs from sincere devotion. There is a kindness and vulnerability beneath the duke’s gruff manner that appeal to her far too much. She wonders if Hayden may need her help as much as his son. When Kit grows healthier and happier thanks to Leah’s care, Hayden changes his mind about her and desperately seeks a way to keep Leah at Renforth Abbey. Marriage might be a solution, but Leah is not tempted by the duke’s title or fortune. Her hard-won independence means more to her than anything…except perhaps love? Leah fears her heart may be entrapped by her growing feelings for Hayden and Kit. Or will they free her to find true love at last? “A delightful addition to the Glass Slipper Brides series, this story has an intelligent, forceful yet patient heroine.” RTBookReview The Duke’s Marriage Mission is the third book in The Glass Slipper Chronicles series, about five young women whose devoted friendship sustained them through the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessing of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca, Grace, Hannah, Leah and Evangeline encounter five special gentlemen, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides! Book 1 – The Nobleman’s Governess Bride (includes the novella “The Viscount Meets His Match” and the novel The Baron’s Governess Bride) Book 2 – The Earls Honorable Intentions Book 3 – The Duke’s Marriage Mission Book 4 – The Gentleman’s Bride Search About the Author – Since winning Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award, Deborah Hale has written over thirty works of historical romance, historical fiction, inspirational romance and otherworld fantasy. Her books have been translated into many languages and published around the world. Deborah and her family live in beautiful Nova Scotia, a place rich in history, romance, faith and more than a little magic!

Governess turned matchmaker! The time has come for strong-willed Evangeline Fairfax to leave her position as governess to the Chase children so she can oversee the founding of a new charity school. But the children’s father, mill-owner Jasper Chase has made no effort to hire a replacement. Evangeline decides to take matters into her own hands by finding her employer a wife. Jasper is livid when he discovers Evangeline has organized a house party and invited several eligible young women. Vexed as he is with her meddling, Jasper finds himself enjoying the party and suddenly aware of Evangeline’s beauty and charm. He agrees to cooperate with her matchmaking efforts if she will give him lessons in courting. Evangeline’s opinion of her employer changes entirely when she overhears the guests discussing his business – a bold initiative to prove that he can make a profit while providing his workers a decent life. Knowing how hard he works for such an admirable cause makes Evangeline appreciate what a dynamic, intelligent and ruggedly attractive man Jasper is. As his courting lessons progress, Evangeline begins to doubt that any of the other ladies will make Jasper and his children the kind of wife and mother they deserve. Jasper concludes there is only one woman he wants to marry, but how can he ask Evangeline to give up a mission in life that means as much to her as his does to him? "It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will touch your heart. Run out and get a copy." Glenda Parker The Gentleman’s Bride Search is the fourth and final book in The Glass Slipper Chronicles series, about five young women whose devoted friendship sustained them through the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessing of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca, Grace, Hannah, Leah and Evangeline encounter five special gentlemen, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides! Book 1 – The Nobleman’s Governess Bride (includes the novella “The Viscount Meets His Match” and the novel The Baron’s Governess Bride) Book 2 – The Earls Honorable Intentions Book 3 – The Duke’s Marriage Mission Book 4 – The Gentleman’s Bride Search About the Author – Since winning Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award, Deborah Hale has written over thirty works of historical romance, historical fiction, inspirational romance and otherworld fantasy. Her books have been translated into many languages and published around the world. Deborah and her family live in beautiful Nova Scotia, a place rich in history, romance, faith and more than a little magic!