Tongues were set wagging when Elizabeth Markham's glamorous young parents were killed, leaving their only child to the unspeakable class of poor relation. Forced to live with her cruel, miserly uncle Julius, Elizabeth was forbidden to participate in the season's festivities. Elizabeth realized that marriage was her only escape, and she decided on a daring plan: she would trick her way into the Duke of Dunster's exclusive house party and snare one of the eligible bachelors sure to be happy to dance with her. Elizabeth's plan succeeded swimmingly, as she flirted with everyone with the exception of the arrogant Lord Charles Lufford, who was considered by those in the know to be quite a catch. She ignored Charles thoroughly until her uncle discovered her deception and it was, of all people, Charles who saved her - by announcing their engagement! But Elizabeth's troubles were far from over. In her absence she had come into an inheritance that her uncle, along with another sinister party, would rather see her dead than receive.

With little to live on but her romantic daydreams - which frequently starred the dashing Marquess of Fleetwater - Jean Lindsay lived a rather dismal life with her nasty, drunken uncle. Jean was always the object of ridicule, that is, until news of her unexpected inheritance spread. Suddenly her worn dresses became ''quaint'' and her forthright manner turned magically to ''charming,'' but to Jean's horror, someone wanted her dead! With the marquess nearby to save her pretty neck, Jean felt quite safe . . . and quite smitten. As for her hero . . . how had an unsophisticated child from a Scottish manse turned his head and his heart askew?

Lady Lucinda Esmond's swine of a father was forever fleecing young bucks in London's gaming halls - until he met Captain Mark Chamfrey who, having been once cheated, would not be made a fool of again and promptly kidnapped ten-year-old Lucinda for ransom! But, when Chamfrey thought better of it and returned the girl, Esmond nonetheless exacted his own price: Chamfrey could redeem himself and save his skin by marrying his little victim nine years hence, just time enough for Chamfrey to inherit a title and fortune. Lucinda's father could not have foreseen what a beauty Lucinda would become, nor that Chamfrey, a newly made Marquess, would actually welcome the fulfillment of what was supposed to be his punishment! ABOUT THE SERIES Lovers are joined by force - by family pressure, by societal pressure, and cultural mores, but Chesney's heros and heroines never seem to want to give up on their search for the real thing. They are willing to go through almost anything in their hunt to find love - they'll jump through hoops to avoid the tricks of outsiders who thrust them together for fortune (that doesn't exist), they'll dance their way into the hearts of the most eligible bachelors using all of their charms, and if it takes even lessons in love (the title of one of these page turners) then so be it. The Love Series is all about love in its various forms, from lukewarm to searing hot and we're along for the ride. ABOUT THE AUTHOR From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.

Marriage to a loathsome brute was vile enough—now she was accused of his murder! The ton regarded Sir Benjamine Wright with utmost honor and respect. Yet Lady Emma knew her husband was, in fact, a drunken, jealous brute who delighted in humiliating her in and out of the bedroom. His murder was a blessing—until the constable's accusing finger pointed to Emma. But it soon became apparent that her late husband hid secrets... and enemies. When the practical Comte Saint-Juste arrived on the scene offering his services, Lady Emma was about to discover what the French dedication to l'amour really meant...

With the sudden death of her rakish, inebriate husband, Annabelle Carruthers is burdened with his gambling debts and headed for the poorhouse—unless she gives herself to the dashing Lord Darkwood

Alice Lovesey and the long-deceased Eighth Duke of Haversham met quite accidentally one night as she gazed into his handsome portrait and called upon someone to save her from her miserable life as a servant in the home of the cruel Tenth Duke. Though unwilling at first, His Grace soon saw some promise in the chit.

"I am Miss Lamberton. Miss Constance Lamberton. I hoped that you would employ me as your companion." And so the quiet Constance Lamberton, an orphan, came to the household of the haughty and beautiful Lady Amelia Godolphin. She would serve as milady's chaperone at the Season's many festivities, an unwitting accomplice in Lady Amelia's scheme to trap the very eligible Lord Philip Cautry into marriage. But it was not Lady Amelia who won Lord Philip's heart. It was the pale, golden-eyed Constance. And very soon, Constance became Lady Philip Cautry. It was not a marriage made in heaven. But sorely, in time.... And then Constance disappeared. Lord Philip didn't know why or how. Nor did he care. All that mattered to him now was the safe return of his beloved Constance....

"I am going to die, she thought. It is sunny, and the whole of London is happy and joyous because I am going to die." The great Marquess herself had come to enjoy the show. "Speech! Speech!" roared the crowd. Polly raised her hands and the crowd fell silent. "My lords, ladies, and gentlemen," said Polly from the foot of the gallows. "Why is it that such as I who am poor and have nothing should hang for a petty theft when such as she," - here Polly paused and pointed straight toward the woman who'd captured her - "Mrs. Blanchard, that abbess of Covent Garden, can commit murder on the souls of innocent country girls over and over again, and yet go free!" With those words Polly said her farewells and at last, "I bid you good day, my friends. We shall meet again. For such as you who enjoy a spectacle such as this will surely roast in hell!" ABOUT THE SERIES Determined heroines run the gamut from those who set out by running a confectioners sweet shop to others who are willing to disguise themselves as boys to get by and do what they have to do. Whatever the matter, the Regency series brings us heroines of style, grace, and determination - women who are not afraid to use their smarts to seek the stature or standing they feel they need. They may come from humble beginnings (or not, depending) but what these heroines share is a determination unmatched that leaves us turning page after page as we follow them in their dance. ABOUT THE AUTHOR From 1977 to the early 1990s, Marion Chesney wrote over one hundred romance novels. Now writing as M. C. Beaton, she is the bestselling award-winning author of two internationally successful mystery series - HAMISH MACBETH and AGATHA RAISIN. She lives in the United Kingdom.