Sir Lucius ‘Mad Devil’ Gordon is down to his last sixpence. His reputation is sinking faster than his finances and if he wants to stay out of the Fleet, there’s only one option – marriage. None of the Ton will have him – he must look elsewhere. Wealthy widow Mistress Julia Willoughby isn’t entranced by the idea of being a dissolute rake’s financial salvation, however she has her own reasons for needing a husband. Passion isn’t one of them…but life, learns Julia, is full of surprises…

“Once one has rescued a sheep, one feels a little differently toward mutton stew.” Charles Fontaine, The New Forest, 1817 Running away into the New Forest, in the depths of winter, isn’t the wisest course of action. But for Miss Hannah Derby, it’s her only escape. She doesn’t want to be part of anyone’s inheritance, let alone a man she’s never met. Charles Fontaine has never heard of the Penvale traditions or bequests, until he learns he’s inherited all of them. He’s tempted to run away as well, but Madam Fate won’t let that happen. She drives him into the New Forest, where he encounters a blizzard, sheep, the best ale he’s ever tasted—and one Hannah Derby. The destiny they’re both trying to avoid will bring them together to face danger, and breathtaking passion…all part of becoming the Fifth Wife.

“I do not regard myself as the cheese in the parson’s mousetrap.” Mr. Delaney Deverell on marriage. Delaney Deverell is charming, handsome and content to be unwed. He has declared himself immune to the wiles of women, unlike his friends Charles and Lucius, who have recently begun happy marriages. Dev admits to one “obsession”, but she remains a silent onlooker, and he’s happy to have it that way. Until a vicious crime deposits a woman on his doorstep—and his life turns upside down. Miss Léonie Girard has a massive lump on her head and is missing a chunk of her recent past. She knows her life is in danger, but has no idea why and that is unsettling, even for a woman with her well-developed self-control. She learned to maintain her calm façade while traversing the courts and political centers of Europe with her diplomat father. Finding Delaney Deverell is a coincidence helped along by a stroke of luck. But seeing herself in a portrait on his wall is something else again… Together they must solve a dangerous puzzle, travel the countryside, take to the high seas, play with boxes, and face a deadly threat. All while trying to understand why it is that each of them finds their attitudes changing—as passion takes control.

“Ye canna command the heart to love. It chooses who and when, whether we like it or not.” Ian McPherson, Kilmalochan Keep, 1817 “I do not want a husband. Especially not one of my own.” Amelia DeVere, London, 1817 When a jewel worth a fortune is ripped from Amelia DeVere’s neck, it’s time to contact Bow Street for help. Handsome highlander Ian McPherson, Bow Street Runner, isn’t best pleased to be spending his time chasing down a necklace for a spoiled society beauty. But it’s his job. Banished from London, Amelia travels north, and is glad to find Ian there as well, on the trail of her ruby. Joining forces seems like a good idea until they cross the border into Scotland and their relationship gets complicated… They will survive fires, sore muscles, mothers and villains, only to find more troubles awaiting them. Amelia must learn that to be loved by a Scot is worth more than any jewel. And Ian will have to persuade her that she’s worth loving…