Kate Mannering, a lady's companion, is mistaken for the lady herself and kidnapped by a dashing masked highwayman. When she hears his story, however, before being released, she decides to help him recover his stolen birthright and soon gets herself embroiled in danger from smugglers and a would-be seducer. Meanwhile, an annoying, indolent guest at the home of her employer insults her at every opportunity but rescues her from every danger, even when...

Geraint Penderyn grew up in dire poverty with his mother in Wales until it was discovered that, as she had always claimed, he was the legitimate child of the Earl of Wyvern's deceased son. Geraint was snatched away from all that was familiar and dear to him-his mother, his friends, the girl he loved-and sent to school in England to be educated as an English gentleman and future earl. Now, years later, he is back as the new Earl of Wyvern, only to...

The marriage of Georgiana Burton to Ralph, Earl of Chartleigh, begins with every promise of happiness for both, though they scarcely know each other. She is attracted by his youthful good looks and gentle, courtly demeanor, while he is dazzled by her beauty and vivacity. It soon becomes clear, however, that the very qualities that attracted them before they married are driving them apart. Ralph is intimidated by the bright star who is his new bride...

Freddie Sullivan, having failed to persuade his cousin Julia to marry him, goes to Bath in desperate search of a rich wife so that he can pay off his debts. Clara Danforth, plain and wheelchair-bound, seems the ideal choice, and Freddie sets about wooing her with his good looks, flattery, and considerable charm. Clara is not deceived for a moment, but she encourages him anyway as for once she wants to possess something beautiful in her life. The path...

SECOND CHANCES Another Dream Eleanor Thompson, spinster owner and headmistress of a girls' school in Bath, finds herself somewhat lonely and not as happy with her chosen way of life as she had expected. Then, on her way to help celebrate the birthday of the Duke of Bewcastle, her brother-in-law, she is stranded by a storm at a country inn, where she indulges in a brief, sweet flirtation with a gentleman who is also stranded there with his two young...

Jessica Moore, demure governess to a spoiled young girl who is expecting a marriage proposal from the Earl of Rutherford, a guest in her father's home, is unwise enough to creep downstairs to the library one night when she cannot sleep, to choose a book to read. There she is discovered, first by the earl, and then by her employer. Though she is quite innocent of any wrongdoing, she is dismissed without notice and without a character. The earl, conscience-stricken,...

George, Duke of Cranwell, and his duchess's separation led to a bitter divorce and social ostracism for Sarah, who, unable to divulge to him the secrets of her heart, told instead the lies he expected to hear. Now, four years later, the duke and Sarah Fifield meet again in Bath and are thrown together by the unfortunate fact that the lady with whom Sarah is living as companion is a close friend of the grandmother of George's new fiancée. Against...

Alexander Stewart, Viscount Merrick, is honor-bound to marry Anne Parrish after a snowstorm strands them alone together overnight. But nothing is going to force him into living with her when he believes she deliberately ensnared him. He settles her on his country estate and does not see her again until his grandmother, determined to bring them back together, invites Anne to join the whole family at a house party in honor of her Golden Wedding anniversary....

Piers Westhaven and Alice Penhallow have always been close friends, even during their marriages to other partners. Now they are both widowed, and Piers, who needs an heir, has asked his friend to help him choose a new bride. Alice has always been in love with him herself, but hiding her feelings has become second nature to her. As a boy, he dearly loved her too until his best friend announced his intention of courting and marrying her. Soon their...

CHRISTMAS GIFTS brings together three previously published and long out-of-print novellas, each on the theme of Christmas gifts that will last forever because the gift, in essence, is love. In "The Best Christmas Ever" a boisterous house party is in progress and all the children when asked are eager to tell what they want for Christmas. But one man feels sad, for his young child has not spoken since her mother died and he does not know if the gifts...