"?Do you really think you could work as I had to work to keep your mother from starvation? My dear child, you have lived in the lap of luxury all your life. You could no more earn a penny piece than fly over the moon ? Kasia's father laughs scornfully. This is justification for his decision to marry her off to a man she does not love ? purely to save her from fortune hunters. So Kasia runs away to prove him wrong by working as Governess to the Duke of Dreghorne's unruly nephew. As Kasia gains the trust of the child, she earns first the respect and then the growing affection of the Lord. But when she and the boy are kidnapped the stakes are irrevocably raised and the Duke's reputation as a Dare-Devil will be tested one final time... Will Kasia's father forgive her? Will Fate finally unite the hearts of Kasia and the Dare-Devil Duke?"

Lost in a woodland daydream, cherubic eighteen-year-old Anita Lavenham is awoken from a reverie inspired by a sermon about the Devil by the sonorous voice of a handsome gentleman asking her to open the gate she's leaning on - a gentleman whose imperious, yet raffish air leads her to think that he is Lucifer personified Anita and her two sisters are impoverished after the loss of their father and their Mama's illness - and soon she is obliged to go to live in Harrogate with her severe Great-Aunt Matilda, who, to Anita's chagrin, is determined to marry her off as soon as possible to the ageing and boorish local Parson. It seems she is fated to a life of misery until, by chance, she meets the Dowager Duchess of Ollerton at the Harrogate Pump Room where, to her amazement she realises that the Duchess's son is none other than her very own handsome fallen angel Blessed by the kindness of the Duchess, who rescues Anita from the prospect of a loveless marriage and enlists her in the search for a bride for her discerning and disinterested son, Anita finds joy in her magnificent new surroundings and exalted company but still, surely, it is too much for her to hope that she herself might find a true love of her own?

Impoverished and lonely but contented enough to live with her much-loved Nanny in the now-empty family home, shy, unworldly Pandia sorely misses her recently deceased father - the handsome Hungarian scholar and writer. When Selene, the capricious twin sister, who abandoned them years before, appears out of the blue Pandia is amazed, then appalled when Selene announces she's told the Social world that Pandia is dead She then demands that Pandia impersonates her at a family funeral to cover for Selene's illicit tryst with her lover Pandia reluctantly agrees and at the Church meets the dashing Lord Silvester Stone, a famous explorer and writer who ignites the 'fire in the blood' she inherited from her father. The passion between them is instant and electric. Pandia knows now that she will love Silvester forever - but how can she tell him that she is not who he thinks she is? Or that they can never ever meet again?

Prince Nicolo of Vienz is irritated by his family and his Prime Minister continually begging him to be married for the sake of his country and to prevent it being taken over by a neighbour. He finally agrees to meet Princess Marziale, the daughter of the ruler of Bassanz. However when she arrives, the Prince learns by accident that she is very much in love with the Comte who had been sent to escort her to Vienz. Because the Prince has no wish to marry anyone, least of all someone who is in love with another man, he runs away to Venice without anyone, except his valet, Texxo, knowing that he is leaving the Palace. He orders Texxo to look after the horses at a hotel, while he hires a gondola to explore Venice. On his way down one of the canals the Prince is suddenly aware that a young girl is leaning out of the window of a grand house. Then he sees to his surprise that she is deliberately letting herself down by a rope into the canal. Thinking quickly he moves his gondola so that she falls into it and she begs him to take her away before anyone sees what has happened. How the Prince then finds that the girl he has rescued is incredibly beautiful and extremely intelligent. And how they set off on a thrilling adventure, knowing only each others' Christian names and how they eventually fall in love is all told in this unusal romantic story by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Princess Zelda of Brienz in Switzerland is being harassed by her father to marry a King or Prince of one of the small countries of Europe. Zelda is very beautiful and determined that when she does marry it will be for love and only love and she cannot possibly fall in love with any of her father's suitors. She runs away from her home to her cousin, Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein, who has always been very fond of her. She tells him that she is determined to find out the truth about a scandal that has been repeated ever since she was born. This was that her real father was the fourth Duke of Milverden from one of the foremost aristocratic families of England. She is also hoping to find the love of her life. To please her, the Prince sends her to stay in London with an old friend of his, Lady Craven, so that she can discover for herself if she is really one of the Milvers. Prince Johann also gives her an introduction to Queen Victoria who, he is well aware, knows more about Royalty in Europe than anyone else. How Zelda is advised to behave in a very strange way both by Queen Victoria and by her Prime Minister, Mr. Disraeli. How she manages to meet the present Duke, who succeeded her supposed father and finds that owing to a humiliating experience when he was a young man he has become a recluse and hides away in his magnificent house filed with treasures and will see no one. How in an assumed personality, but being intelligent and astute, she attracts and puzzles him. And how finally they both find happiness is all told in this unusual romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Bereaved of her beloved father at sixteen, and now her mother, Belinda Wyncombe's only comfort is that she still has the family's home. Until she finds her irresponsible stepfather, Captain D?Arcy Rowland, has squandered their money and fraudulently mortgaged the house. This means he faces jail while Belinda faces penury, unless she complies with her stepfather's shameful scheme to gain and ruthlessly exploit the trust of the famed adventurer ?Lucky? Logan, who has made a fortune with his legendary ability to find diamonds, gold and other precious metals wherever he travels. Every fibre of Belinda's being recoils from such deceit ? more so when she finds that Marcus ?Lucky? Logan is not the greedy fortune hunter of her imagining but a generous, handsome and heroic man. When murderous thugs come for Marcus in the dead of night, it is Belinda who raises the alarm and saves his life. And when he kisses her, Belinda is suddenly, utterly, in love ? but surely her love is doomed by her deceit?

The Honourable Richard Brooke, the younger son of the Earl of Grandbrooke becomes a close friend of Prince Ivan of Karlova. The Prince however does not use his title as he is incognito. He is therefore known as Ivan Sazon. As is usual in Aristocratic families, Richard, as the second son is ordained and is then appointed to a Parish in Oxford. Prince Ivan is often at his house and it was not long before he falls in love with Richard's sister Elizabeth, who is very beautiful. They marry and are very happy for six years and have one child, whom they christen Tarena. Unexpectedly Ivan is called back to Karlova because his father, the King, has died and he has to take his place. He also learns that he is expected to save Karlova and its adjacent country Dubnik from the Russians, who are determined to annex both countries. To do so he has to marry Princess Catrina of Dubnik. Shortly afterwards Elizabeth dies and Tarena goes to live with her Uncle Richard. Tarena is very happy with her uncle and takes her mother's place in tending the garden and helping in the Parish. Then King Ivan dies and it is a tremendous shock to Tarena to learn that she must go to Karlova, become Queen and marry Prince Igor of Dubnik. This will save Karlova from the Russians and she goes with Queen Victoria's blessing. Frightened but convinced that she must follow in her father's footsteps, Tarena travels to Karlova aboard a British Battleship accompanied by her uncle. How Tarena is taught the language of Karlova by the dashing Count Vladimir in charge of the Escort of Karlovan soldiers on board. And how she succeeds in astounding and defying the Russians, at the same time falling in love, is all told in this fast moving tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.

When the Duke of Barningforde was told by his second son, Alastair, that he had married an actress in Paris without his approval, he exiled Alastair from England with only a very small allowance. His wife, Grace, actually came from a good Scottish family and was not an actress, but had a very fine soprano voice and sang with a famous French orchestra. But the Duke would not listen and Alastair and Grace never again set foot in their homeland. They were blessed with one beautiful daughter, Kayla, who is well educated thanks to Grace's efforts after Alastair's untimely death. Then Grace dies and Kayla, now eighteen, is left all alone in the world. At her mother's suggestion, she returns to England and throws herself on the mercy of her grandfather, the Duke. Grudgingly the Duke takes her in to Forde Hall and is permanently hostile towards her, but at least she has somewhere to live. Then, to score off his neighbour, the Earl of Rothwoode, the Duke arranges for Kayla at a moment's notice to marry his son, Christopher, the Viscount Roth. They do not meet until their wedding day and they both hate the marriage forced on them and inevitably dislike each other. To distance himself from his father, Christopher then sets out for Nepal with his new bride. How in that beautiful country, called 'the roof of the world', Kayla and Christopher find the key to everything they are both seeking in life is told in this unusual romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Queen Victoria sends for the Duke of Sherbourne and asks him to undertake a very secret mission on her behalf. It is so secret that only his loyal valet, Jenkins, is told. The Duke agrees and it takes him to Greece where he had not been for some years. He visits King George who is the same age as he is and whom he has known in the past. He has been a great success as King, although he was only eighteen when he took over the throne and he is married to Princess Olga of Russia and they are extremely happy. The Duke envies them and, although he has been pursued by a great number of beautiful women in London, he has never yet fallen in love. He consistently refuses to marry although his family beg him to produce an heir to his ancient title. Before the Duke leaves Athens, he says that he must visit the Parthenon because he wants to see again the view from the top as it is the most inspiring in the world. When he reaches the top, the only other person there is a young and beautiful girl who he senses is about to commit suicide. How the Duke persuades Princess Thalia not to throw her life away in such a stupid fashion. How he learns that she is being forced by her uncle to marry a Russian Prince she detests. How he goes to Delos, the island where the God Apollo was born. How, when he is there, he experiences a strange and mystical feeling that cannot be expressed in words. Eventually the Duke finds all that he is seeking. All his and Thalia's problems and difficulties are solved not only by the brains of human beings but with the help and guidance of the Gods themselves. This is all told in this intriguing and surprising story by BARBARA CARTLAND.

The handsome and eligible Prince Ivan of Rusitania urgently needs to find a bride who is very young, very pretty and very rich. His cousin, Prince Peter of neighbouring Voskia, is determined to prevent him marrying as he intends to inherit Rusitania. He needs revenge on Ivan. Peter invaded Rusitania hoping for a quick victory, instead he suffered a disastrous defeat. Danger follows Ivan from Rusitania to Paris and then to London, where he meets Lady Cecilia Beaumont, who undertakes to help him find a suitable bride. Almost-on-the-shelf, Cecilia is intelligent, stylish and very wealthy. Wary of suitors after her fortune, she has given up on marriage and devotes herself both to her father, the Earl of Yarlington and the clinic she has founded to help the poor of London. Soon Cecilia finds her life threatened and her heart captured. Then she meets Peter's and Ivan's ex-mistress, the voluptuous Countess Natasha. Neither is what they seem on first sight. What happens as Ivan and Cecilia fight for happiness and their lives is told in this absorbing romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Eighteen-year-old Mistral is an innocent abroad in the sophisticated Cote D'Azur, where princes and millionaires mingle in the casinos and sumptuous hotels while others plot to relieve them of their riches. Accompanied only by her embittered and domineering Aunt Emilie and kindly servant Jeanne, Mistral appears dressed all in grey like a ghost in the salons and ballrooms of Monte Carlo and sets Society's tongues wagging. It's not long before her waif-like beauty has men falling at the feet of Madamoiselle Fantome - gentlemen such as Sir Robert Stanford. But on her sister's bewildering but strict instructions, she must not converse with any but the Russian Prince Nikolai, who's also keen to woo her, as is an opulent Indian Rajah... Something about Mistral touches Sir Robert's heart - and he cannot understand why Mistral appears afraid to be with him. Yet both of them crave love. Only if Mistral's innocent eyes are finally opened to the truth - that Aunt Emilie's motives are borne not of concern for her niece but of pure evil and greed - will she find her heart's desire...

Just seventeen, Lady Caroline Faye is already the toast of the Season and accustomed to the ways of genteel Society. So when notorious cad Sir Montagu Reversby offers to drive her in his phaeton from London to Sevenoaks, she innocently accepts - little knowing that he is planning to fake a broken axle so that she will be forced to spend the night alone with him at a remote country inn. But Lady Caroline of made of sterner stuff than the predatory Sir Montagu imagined. Escaping his lecherous clutches, she finds refuge in the imperious Brecon Castle only to discover that her new-found haven and its master, Lord Brecon, harbour dark and terrible secrets. A murderous plot is afoot and Caroline's innocent mistake will come back to haunt her as heartbreak and humiliation in the dark, foreboding castle turn to hope and then ardent, all-consuming passion.

The Earl of Wentworth has a fiery and unpredictable temper and is about to fight a duel in Hyde Park with a Frenchman who has insulted him, when he is restrained by his friend, Sir Thomas Babbington, and a helpful Policeman. At the same time the beautiful Temia Brandon is returning home from her Finishing School in France and is longing to see her horse, Lightning, again. Temia discovers that her father has been hiding a dark secret for many years and is now being blackmailed by the odious Lord Alphonse who threatens to reveal the secret and ruin the family's reputation. Lord Alphonse next proposes to Temia with her father's approval and she has no alternative but to run away from her home in Northamptonshire to the bright lights of London. Through a strange set of coincidences Temia's and the Earl of Wentworth's paths cross and then Sir Thomas Babbington unexpectedly falls in love with her. Temia's strong character and resolve are tested to the extreme and she is buffeted from pillar to post. How Temia helps defeat Lord Alphonse and despite endless dramas eventually find happiness with the one man she really loves and who loves her is told in this intriguing and fast-moving tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.

The beautiful Elissa Valentine has no idea what lies in store for her after the death of her beloved Papa, who was a talented artist. She travels to Yorkshire to start a new life at Fellbrook Towers as a companion to her fearsome grandmother, Lady Hartwell. She soon discovers that the luxurious lifestyle at The Towers is under threat from the wild gambling of her handsome and impetuous cousin, Falcon. When Elissa saves the day by predicting the winning horse in a big race, Falcon showers her with gifts and proposes marriage. But she cannot accept his offer as the struggling artist Richard Stanfield has stolen her heart and she cannot forget him. Will Richard's love for Elissa survive Lady Hartwell's attempts to deter him and the violent threats of her cousin? And will Elissa stand firm in her love for Richard, even when she finds him in the arms of the glamorous Latin American beauty, Mercedes de Rosario? Find out all in this the dazzling and intriguing romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Lord Waincliffe breaks his horse's bridle out riding one day and calls at the nearest house for help so that he can ride home safely. It belongs to Terence Stourton, a Professor of Literature, and he meets his daughter, Rosetta, who repairs the bridle for him. Not only does he think that Rosetta is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen, but he feels there is something unusual about her. Only when he returns home does he realise that she bears an extraordinary resemblance to his sister, Dolina. Lord Waincliffe and his brother, Henry, are finding it very difficult to afford their house and estate and they have the idea that the Marquis of Millbrook, who lives nearby and is very rich, could help them build a Racecourse on both their estates that would solve all their financial woes. So they invite the Marquis, who is known for his love of beautiful women, and they expect their lovely sister to help them persuade him, but Dolina insists on going to London for a ball instead. They enlist Rosetta to impersonate Dolina for the evening and the Marquis is so deeply impressed by her and her beauty that he agrees to fund the Racecourse. Then the problems for Rosetta really begin and when all seems impossible and her heart is forever broken, everything is resolved in this fascinating and intriguing tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Helsa, the exceptionally beautiful daughter of the Reverend Alfred Irvin, is thrilled when she learns that Irvin Hall, their vast ancestral home, has been rented for a large sum by a certain Lady Basset. Her Ladyship wishes to host a grand house party and has invited a number of distinguished guests including the handsome Duke of Mervinston. Helsa's friend, Mary, agrees to play the vital role of lady's maid to Lady Basset. But at the last minute Mary cannot do it as she has to visit her ill grandmother. So Helsa has to step into her shoes and be the lady's maid. To everyone's surprise Lady Basset organises a steeplechase and the Duke is the favourite to win on his stallion Masterpiece. However Helsa uncovers a dastardly plot on the day of the steeplechase to lure the Duke into marrying against his will. How Helsa saves the Duke and unexpectedly finds the love of her life is all told in this exciting romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

The beautiful Flavia Linwood had been living in the country until she was nearly nineteen. She should have been a debutante in London the previous year, but she was in deep mourning for her mother who had died suddenly. Now at last she travels to London for her Season. Her father, Lord Linwood, and his friend Lord Carlsby are courtiers in attendance on Her Majesty Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle and they are very proud of their position at Court. Quite by chance Flavia secretly learns that they are increasingly concerned that the Queen is becoming too interested in the handsome Earl of Haugton and heeds his advice rather than theirs. They therefore concoct plan to get him out of their way by marrying Flavia off to him. She is completely horrified at the idea She has long ago made up her mind that she will only marry someone she loves and who loves her. How she tries to avoid the Earl, but finally meets him face to face and then finds that he feels exactly as she does and learns that, although he is nearly twenty-eight, he has no intention of marrying anyone, not even to have an heir to his title and fortune. How Flavia and the Earl plan to circumvent the ingenious scheme of Lord Linwood and Lord Carlsby. And, how by a strange and frightening drama at Windsor Castle, they finally find what they are both seeking is all told in this unusal romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Wenda has struggled alone to keep the family's crumbling ancestral home, Creswell Court, going. Her brother, Robbie, now Lord Creswell, is spending his time in London where he is a great success in Society and with the Prince of Wales and the beautiful ladies who surround him. The Prince has suffered from not being allowed by Queen Victoria to take any part in ruling the country and in compensation he goes from one attractive woman to another. He especially enjoys secret weekend house parties at his friends' country houses - usually a party of ten and each gentleman brings with him a lady of his choice. To Robbie's consternation the Prince of Wales suggests he should visit Creswell Court where he had heard the pictures are outstanding. Robbie is horrified, but he cannot refuse and so he rushes home to tell Wenda that the Prince is to be their guest for a Royal house party. Wenda asks the obvious question as to how they can afford it and to her alarm Robbie takes down two valuable pictures, which are entailed, telling her he has found an artist to copy them so cleverly that the Trustees will not realise the originals are missing. Wenda manages to clean up the house while Robbie unexpectedly meets a beautiful young woman who says she is married. Robbie offers to help her and is instantly attracted to her. How Wenda is rewarded for making the house habitable and comfortable for the Prince of Wales and how he finds the house party is even more amusing than he anticipated. And how the secret weekend provides love in a very special and delightful way for both Robbie and Wenda, is all told in this romantic tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.

From the Sunday Times No.1 Bestselling author comes the latest instalment in an epic multi-million selling series, The Seven Sisters.

To the outside world, Electra D’Aplièse seems to have it all: as one of the world’s top models, she is beautiful, rich and famous.

Yet Electra’s already tenuous control over her state of mind has been rocked by the death of her father, Pa Salt, the elusive billionaire who adopted his six daughters from across the globe. Struggling to cope, she turns to alcohol and drugs. As those around her fear for her health, Electra receives a letter from a stranger claiming to be her grandmother . . .

In 1939, Cecily Huntley-Morgan arrives in Kenya from New York to nurse a broken heart. Staying with her godmother, a member of the infamous Happy Valley set, she meets Bill Forsythe, a notorious bachelor and cattle farmer with close connections to the proud Maasai tribe. But after a shocking discovery, and with war looming, Cecily has few options. Moving up into the Wanjohi Valley, she is isolated and alone. Until she meets a young woman in the woods and makes her a promise that will change the course of her life for ever.

The Sun Sister is the sixth breathtaking instalment in Lucinda Riley’s multi-million selling epic series, The Seven Sisters.

‘Heart-wrenching, uplifting and utterly enthralling. The Seven Sisters series is Lucinda Riley at the top of her game: a magical storyteller who creates characters we fall in love with and who stay with us long after we finish reading. Dazzlingly good.’ Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Hunting Party

The Marquis of Milverton strides into White's Club in a high state of irritation as he is being pestered by his family to take a 'suitable' girl for his wife. He is not surprised to find that his aristocratic friends are suffering the same pressure and they gather together to complain about their plight. They are all having affaires-de-coeurs with seductive married ladies and the Marquis himself is very much involved with a glamorous Countess. However they all recognise that they will have to marry eventually to carry on their ancestral titles and family legacy. Listening to their grumbling is the Duke of Sandelford and he challenges them to go out into the countryside in disguise and find a beautiful girl to be their dream wife. If after three months, they failed they were to admit failure and accept their family's suggestions. He also offers a one thousand pounds prize to those who succeed. He left them feeling it was at least a sporting chance and the Marquis was the first to accept the Duke's challenge. Disguising himself as John Milton he sets out alone on his horse and has a number of unlikely adventures with people he would normally have never encountered. He helps some of them to happiness, then becomes bored and decides to return home, but will give one more village a last chance. How the Marquis becomes involved with a ruthless gang of horse thieves and then unexpectedly finds all he is seeking and can claim the Duke's prize is told in this exciting and different tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.

At The Battle of Worcester in 1651, Prince Charles with thirteen thousand troops, both English and Scottish, is heavily defeated by Oliver Cromwell and flees to France. Clive More escapes the battlefield to a friendly house and is saved from Cromwell's men by the Nanny of Alissa aged nine. Nanny disguises him as a girl and hides him in her bedroom. After the Prince is restored to the throne as Charles II in 1660, Alissa, her father the Earl of Dalwaynnie, her stepmother and her stepsister Nancy, move to London. The King, grateful for the Earl's support, gives them Apartments at the Royal Palace of Whitehall. Clive More, who is now the Marquis of Morelanton, comes down from the North. He and the King are the same age and spent a great deal of time together, including playing tennis at which they both excel. The Countess, the new wife of the Earl of Dalwaynnie, is determined that her daughter Nancy should marry Clive now he is a Marquis and contrives to keep him away from Alissa, who has grown in the nine years since they last met into an outstanding beauty. How the Countess intrigues with a strange man called Lord Pronett to remove Alissa from the Court and away from Clive. How Nancy helps Clive save her. And how they find love and happiness is all told in this exciting historical romance by BARBARA CARTLAND.

Devastated by the treachery of the woman he loves, the Marquis of Kenworth leaves London and the Prince Regent's intimate circle of pleasure loving friends, to join the Duke of Wellington's army as plain Captain Ivan Worth. Facing hardship and the grim reality of battle he is convinced that no woman can ever be trusted to love him for himself, rather than his title, and turns his back on romance forever. Now, wounded by a shell from a French gun, he is in Paris, an invalid guest of his close friend the Duke, waiting for his wound to heal and nursing his broken heart. Into this house of despair comes Shenda, the beautiful daughter of Lord Linbury, who is orphaned after the death of her esteemed, but poverty stricken father. Alone in the world, she has travelled to Paris to fulfill her father's last wish that she seek the protection of his old friend, the Duke of Wellington. Still celebrating his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke quickly realises that his new ward is young and innocent, as well as beautiful. Knowing that his reputation with women precludes Shenda from staying in his own house, he sets her the task of nursing Captain Worth. Despite her patient's rages and his obvious disgust for women, Shenda enthusiastically sets to work, using her mother's traditional herbal remedies in place of the synthetic medicines prescribed by the French doctors. But are Shenda's powers of healing enough to make the cantankerous Captain change his mind and allow her to stay? Or will he cast her out onto the dirty, rough streets of Paris? As she plays her music for him, putting her heart and soul into every piece, can she soothe his troubled mind as well as heal the bullet hole in his shoulder? Or will she be cast out onto the dirty streets of Paris to fend for herself ?

Scandal, adultery and an angry husband has to be avoided if the Duke of Rockinston, one of the most handsome and charming bachelors in London, is to keep his family honour and his preserve his place at the centre of Society. With the furious Earl of Darran hot on his heels, the Duke narrowly escapes complete social ruin after being discovered leaving the home of the lovely Countess at three o'clock in the morning. Unable to convince the Earl that their liaison was nothing more than innocent friendship, the only way the Duke can save his family from scandal, and the Countess from an unpleasant divorce, is by announcing his engagement to someone else as quickly as possible. Aware that any number of London's debutants would jump at the opportunity, but already bored by their vacuous company, the Duke decides to approach his great friend the Duke of Lynbrook to ask for the hand of his beautiful daughter, Venetia. She has everything he is looking for in a wife - renowned beauty, a good family and most importantly having spent the last three years in a Convent school in Paris she will be completely ignorant of his reputation as a rake. There is just one flaw to his magnificent plan. Venetia and he have never met, and are most certainly not in love with each other. Undeterred by this minor detail, Venetia is summoned home by her father, the newspapers are informed and the wedding date set for two weeks time. But neither man has considered how Venetia might feel about their master plan. The Duke of Rockinston may be a charming, wealthy adventurer, but Venetia has always assumed that the man she marries will be her perfect match and is astounded to discover that she is expected to marry a complete stranger. With the Earl still seeking revenge and the elusive Duke away in Scotland until the day of his wedding, will Venetia comply? And if she does, can this marriage of convenience possibly make either the husband or wife happy? With only a fortnight to the big day, Venetia must use all of her exceptional intelligence to work out a way to make a marriage, conceived in desperation, become a love story with a happy ending for everyone.

Sir Robin Dunstead returns from India after his father's death to find that he has inherited two of the largest ancestral houses in England, but no money to restore them. Amazed to find both houses empty of servants and in a state of disrepair he berates himself for not returning home earlier. Stunned to learn that his father has sold everything of value that is not entailed to future generations and squandered the family fortune on selfish pursuits, Robin is left with no income and not even enough money to buy food for himself and his lovely sister, Alena. In complete despair Robin commissions a forger to copy two lesser-known priceless paintings and raise enough money to launch Alena and himself in society in the hope of attracting rich American's dazzled by her beauty and his title. Robin is adamant; they must both marry for money to save the family estate, forgetting any dreams of true love. Their plan seems set to work, until Alena meets a charming artist, Vincent, who shares her appreciation of art but has no fortune. Can she really quash the blossoming feelings she has for Vincent in order to marry a millionaire? Meanwhile, Robin has his own dilemma as he chases a hugely wealthy heiress. Uncomfortable with his new role as a penniless fortune hunter, Robin finds it much harder to compromise his personal values than he ever imagined. As brother and sister struggle with the realities of their decision both are forced to reconsider their choices - personal happiness and poverty, or the financial security that only a wealthy spouse can offer.

Tania, the lovely daughter of the late Lord Amesly, leaves her school in Paris and is travelling to Boulogne when her train crashes. Amongst the fear and confusion she is helped and befriended by a charming young Englishman - Captain Rupert More - and with him she reaches the ferry where she unexpectedly meets two friends of her late parents, Charles and Selina Bracebridge. Captivated by Tania, and awed by her bravery in the face of adversity, Rupert is convinced that she is uniquely special. Tania, innocent in the ways of love having spent so long in her convent school, is similarly smitten by the dashing young Captain. It seems that Cupid's bow has struck in the most unusual of circumstances, but as the young couple get to know each other their happiness is shattered by the threat of war in the Crimea. Promising that she will wait for him, Rupert prepares himself for the battlefield. Back in London Tania's hostile stepmother makes it clear that her stepdaughter is no longer welcome in her own home. Eager to discharge her duties as legal guardian, the second Lady Amesly decides the easiest way is to marry her pretty stepdaughter off as quickly as possible. So when Lord Watford, an eligible widower with a shady past, asks for Tania's hand in marriage, her stepmother is determined that the answer will be 'yes'. Terrified at the idea of having to marry someone she does not love, and wishing that Rupert were still close by, Tania runs away to the Bracebridges and begs them to help. The Bracebridges are close friends of Florence Nightingale, who is determined to recruit nurses to look after the troops wounded in the war. Joining Florence and training as fast as she can, Tania secretly leaves England, following Rupert to the frontline. As war breaks out and the casualty figures rise, Tania works tirelessly in the British Military Hospital in Scutari. With every newly injured soldier arriving needing care and comfort, Tania eagerly scans their faces hoping to see her lost love, and begs for news of Rupert. Will they find each other again? And if they do can their love survive the horrors of war? Or will Lady Amersly discover her whereabouts and demand that she return home to marry a man she neither loves nor respects? Tania will need all of her courage and belief in the powers of true love for the challenges ahead.