Bøger af Beverley Oakley

A murdered lord in a brothel. An innocent debutante in danger. And a killer who threatens to expose a secret that could destroy her.When Miss Evelina Tarot's fiancé is found dead in London's most notorious pleasure house, William, Lord Bellingham becomes her unexpected champion.But now William has uncovered a shocking truth: Evelina is the daughter of infamous brothel keeper Madame Chambon.Determined to bury the scandal that would destroy any chance of a future with the woman he's come to love, he joins forces with Lily, Lady Bradden-whose employment bureau offers sanctuary to fallen women.As they race to unmask the killer, they first must find an answer to the most pressing question: why is the killer more interested in seeing Evelina dead than exposing the secret of her connection to Madame Chambon?For readers who love their romance tinged with danger and their mysteries laced with passion.

A duchess disguised as a lady's maid is framed for the murder of her brutal husband. A gentleman disguised as a highwayman is in pursuit of justice. Who will save whom from the gallows? *** When Phoebe, Lady Cavanaugh, is captured by a highwayman, she assumes the identity of her lady's maid. Wearing only the blood-stained chemise in which she was forced to flee her remote manor house, she must now trade on her wit and beauty to keep a roof over her head while she plans her escape. Hugh Redding has his own reasons for hunting the man who wants the apparently missing Lady Cavanaugh tried and hanged for murder. And 'the maidservant with aspirations above her station' might prove the very weapon he needs - once he teaches her how to behave like a lady. But when Phoebe mysteriously disappears, Hugh realises his feelings for the spirited wench he'd set out to tame are far deeper than he'd realised - while his search for her reveals a very different woman from the one who'd declared her love for him the night he last saw her.

Beautiful, impoverished Fanny Brightwell has a few scores to settle-and a heart to win-before she can secure the wealthy, aristocratic husband her ambitious mama demands. Fanny is used to trading on her wits and beauty to ensure her family retains its tenuous hold on respectability. While her reprobate brother gambles away their fortune, and her feather-brained sister threatens to destroy the girls' collective reputation by succumbing to any lure cast her way, Fanny is regarded as the Brightwell family's saviour. Pressured by her mother into accepting a marriage offer from lecherous Lord Slyther, a desperately unhappy Fanny is given one final opportunity to withdraw from her nuptials, provided she secures an equally rich and titled suitor within two weeks. Otherwise she can look forward to a lifetime attending to Great Aunt Seraphina's chilblains. This is the story of Fanny's perilous gamble amidst a London season's offerings of debutantes with far greater address - but far less cunning - for the ultimate prize: dashing, delicious, daring Lord Fenton. Book 1: Rake's Honour Book 2: Rogue's Kiss Book 3: Devil's Run

A rigged horse race and a marriage offer riding on the outcome. When Miss Eliza Montrose unexpectedly becomes legal owner of the horse tipped to win the East Anglia Cup, her future is finally in her hands-but at what cost? George Bramley, nephew to the Earl of Quamby, will wager anything. Even his future bride. Miss Eliza Montrose will accept any wager to be reunited with the child she was forced to relinquish after an indiscretion - even if it means marrying a man she doesn't love. But when the handsome and charming Rufus Patmore buys a horse from her betrothed, George Bramley, whose household her son visits from the foundling home, her heart is captured and the outcome of the wager is suddenly fraught with peril. **This is book 3 in the Scandalous Miss Brightwells series, though it can be read as a stand-alone. Book 1: Rake's Honour Book 2: Rogue's Kiss Book 3: Devil's Run What readers are saying about other books in the series: "Fun, suspense and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Loved it." Amazon Reader about Rake's Honour "A sweet story full of misunderstandings and humor." Amazon Reader about Rogue's Kiss

Would a potential suitor be bolder if he were told the object of his desire had only six months to live? Sweet, pretty Thea Brightwell's dull, quiet life with her crotchety aunt is about to be turned upside down by a visit to Bath and a chance encounter with handsome Mr Grayling. However, the fledgeling affair is quickly nipped in the bud by Thea's aunt who has no intention of losing her unpaid nurse and companion, while Mr Grayling regretfully acknowledges he needs to marry an heiress to restore his family's crumbling fortunes. Unbeknownst to penniless Thea, she has an unlikely champion in her well-meaning but 'not-too-bright' Cousin Bertram who has decided to play matchmaker. If the lack of a dowry is the only impediment to Mr Grayling making an offer of marriage, Bertram reasons the gentleman would play a riskier hand if he were told that the damsel he covets were destined for her deathbed within six months? Crotchety maiden aunts, love letters gone astray, and 'old flames' appearing from the woodwork lead to a most disconcerting outcome! ROGUE'S KISS can be read as a stand-alone. It follows award-winning racy Regency romp RAKE'S HONOUR. Rake's Honour: Book 1 Book 2: Rogue's Kiss Book 3: Devil's Run What Readers are Saying about the series: "I LOVED beautiful Thea's story and couldn't put it down losing hours of sleep!" "The unexpected twist at the end made me smile and think...yes that's perfect." "Nicely written and enjoyable Historical romance with a little steam." *Note: Due to the respective natures of the various Brightwell heroines, Rogue's Kiss is sensual rather than steamy while Rake's Honour is hot and steamy.

Abandoned at the altar, Max, Lord Belvedere believes he’s evaded family obligation in favour of a life of adventuring in Africa. But his ailing Aunt Euphemia has other ideas.When Max finds himself in the delightfully diverting arms of Violet Lilywhite while visiting London’s most prestigious House of Assignation, he happens upon the perfect plan. A sham wedding to a ‘penniless shop girl’ should fulfil Aunt Euphemia’s romantic dreams without losing him his newfound liberty.Violet agrees to the deception with no hesitation. Lord Belvedere is certainly the most charming and surprising of all her male consorts but she has no illusions about a shared future. She wants only to escape the clutches of infamous Madame Chambon.The plan appears perfect until Max and Violet find themselves falling in love.Can Max give up his plans for freedom in an exciting new land? Or is freedom to be found in the arms of the woman he loves?What Readers Say About the Series:“Max Belvedere & Violet Lilywhite's story was beyond beautiful. He was determined to seek his freedom at any cost. She believed herself ruined beyond redemption. Together they will discover that nothing in life is impossible. Highly Recommend.” ~ Kind Reader“This is one of the most interesting stories on why a girl might become an escort. The twists and turns are breathtaking...I couldn't put this down.” ~ Kindle Reader“Oh my! This story just makes you fall in love! It's exciting. It never lags. And what a most satisfying ending!” ~ Kindle Reader

What’s a girl to do when she has no money but must marry well?When her father has died a debtor and her reprobate brother is intent on gambling away what little else remains?When her feather-brained sister risks the family reputation by succumbing to any lure cast her way?Why, her mother, Lady Brightwell, has just the plan! Her intelligent, beautiful daughter is to be sacrificed to a lecherous baron with gout and carbuncles in order to keep the family in the manner to which they’ve become accustomed.Only, there’s the rub.Lady Brightwell’s daughter Fanny might be intelligent and beautiful. But she’s also rebellious, clever and strong-willed.And when her passionate heart is brought to life by a chance encounter with a dashing viscount, the fact he’s looking for a wealthy bride is of no account.This is the story of Fanny's perilous gamble amidst a London season's offerings of debutantes with far greater address - but far less cunning - for the ultimate prize: dashing, delicious, dazzling Lord Fenton.Sit back and enjoy this racy, Regency romp but do ensure your smelling salts are at hand - because Fanny Brightwell is prepared to risk everything to save herself from a lifetime attending to Great Aunt Seraphina's chilblains or massaging lecherous Lord Slyther’s gargantuan ego – amongst other things.Book 1: Rake's Honour Book 2: Rogue's KissBook 3: The Wedding WagerBook 4: The Accidental Elopement

Three full-length Regency romances laced with mystery, intrigue and suspense.A spoiled heiress masquerading as a shipwrecked governess, a widow with a tarnished reputation seeking her lost son, and a debutante pretending to be married... These very different Regency heroines dare everything for love!LADY SARAH'S REDEMPTION A spoiled heiress who assumes the identity of a shipwrecked governess falls in love with her employer who has dark secrets of his own.LADY OLIVIA'S BUTTERFLYA beautiful widow whose reputation has been wrongly tarnished embarks upon a dangerous charade to reclaim her child, burdened by a terrible secret that threatens the future of the man with whom she accidentally falls in love.LADY ROSE'S SECRETA determined debutante who pretends to be married in order to save the family plantation is framed by a jealous adversary for a series of diamond thefts. Now she must convince the handsome rake who believes she tricked him into marriage that she is innocent.

Fair Cyprians of London Immerse yourself in three tales of London's fairest Cyprians as they turn the tables on a society that betrayed them, finding love and independence along the way.Saving GraceGrace Fortune trusts no one after she was betrayed by the man she once loved.Now, she's the most popular 'Cyprian' at Madame Chambon's high-class London House of Assignation, consort of aristocrats and princes.As Faith prepares for her next job as the special initiation 'gift' procured by a mother in fashionable Mayfair for her son's twenty-first birthday, she plans her revenge.But revenge is a dish best left uneaten if the truth is not what's being served.Forsaking HopeHonour? Or her heart's desire?Two years ago, Felix Lord Durham believed that Hope, the vicar's beautiful daughter, had chosen to live in Germany as a governess rather than accept the marriage proposal he'd hinted at.Why else would she have failed to appear for their final secret assignation? Why else would Felix be given snippets about her new life on the Continent from various sources?Now the divine "Miss Hope" is in Felix's bed - a surprise gift from his friends designed to lift his spirits and sourced from London's most exclusive brothel, Madame Chambon's.Despite feeling betrayed, Felix can't bear to lose her again, but Hope Merriweather is bound to her new life by a dark secret. Having sacrificed the man she loves once already, she must choose again: Honour or her heart's desire? Keeping FaithRevenge is sweet until it breaks your heart.Falsely accused of stealing, Faith is given two choices: Fend for herself on the streets of London, or become indentured to Madame Chambon, the ruthless proprietor of London's most exclusive brothel.In order to survive, Faith submits to the machinations of a mysterious benefactress and begins a new life under Madame Chambon's roof. However, she does not live like the other girls.Rather, she's taught the theory of how to entrance London's noble gentlemen with her learning in philosophy, politics and art.Her body is to be saved for the greatest enticement of all: revenge.Faith doesn't care what she has to do. She lives only to fulfil a bargain that will set her free.But when Faith is recruited as the muse of a talented, sensitive painter whose victory in a prestigious art competition turns them both into celebrities overnight, she discovers the reasons behind her mission are very different from what she'd been led to believe.Now she is complicit in something dark and dangerous while riches, adulation and freedom are hers for the taking.But what value are these if her heart has become a slave to the honorable man she is required to destroy? "The writer was able to get a 7-course meal into a sandwich sized novel. It was exciting and emotional. Sexy and romantic.""This is one of the most interesting stories I've read on why a girl might become an escort..The twists and turns are breathtaking...I couldn't put this down.""Oh my! This story just makes you fall in love! It's exciting. It never lags. And what a most satisfying ending!"

There are many good reasons for a woman to hide her feelings. In Book 3 of the passionate, poignant Hearts in Hiding series, Cressida risks losing her life if she succumbs to the man she loves.Cressida, Lady Lovett, believes her reluctance in the bedchamber - caused by a brush with death during her last childbirth - has driven her husband into another woman's arms.Desperate to discover the truth behind Lord Lovett's increasing absences, she follows him to Mrs Plumb's notorious Salon of Sin where she gets more than she bargains for when one of the women takes pity on her and teaches her some tricks of their trade.Armed at last with the means to control her fertility, Cressida transforms herself into the vixen of her husband's dreams in the hope that she can win him back.But when she returns to the salon, intending to repay the woman responsible for her liberation, she discovers her unlikely benefactress was, and possibly still is, her husband's mistress.Can Cressida regain Lord Lovett's affections and, in the process, unravel the mystery of a long lost child?

Lady Sybil expects Stephen, her husband''s heir, to marry her beautiful eldest daughter, Araminta. But when Sybil and Stephen meet, a forbidden passion erupts between the two in this steamy Regency romance.Despite proud, fiery Araminta and her shy, plain sister, Hetty, parading their very different charms before him, the young viscount-in-waiting is drawn to the quiet, unassuming Lady Sybil who has been trapped in a loveless marriage for twenty years while her husband spends most of his time with his mistress.As Stephen introduces Sybil to every pleasure she''s been deprived of, duty and passion become a deep and mutual love.But with the shock arrival of a contender to the estate, Sybil realises that what she''s set in motion, initially to save the family inheritance, might have tragic consequences.Expect the unexpected in this Regency-set ''Dynasty'' where true love triumphs in a world of ambition, dynastic rivalries and the pursuit of wealth.Her Gilded Prison is Book 1 in the Daughters of Sin series, however it can be read as a stand-alone.Surprises abound in this steamy, suspenseful Regency-set drama where each nobly-born Partington sister will win the husband they truly deserve.What Readers are Saying:"Oh my! What a great read. The characters were extraordinary and believable. I couldn''t put it down...""This is a good story of misalignments and couples trying to make the best of bad situations. Twists and turns abound as this impossible romance blossoms and you really cheer for this couple as things work themselves out.""It''s refreshing to read a Regency that doesn''t remind me of others, and I found the heroine to be very relatable. It''s also nice to get an older female lead, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics.""Talk about risqu├⌐! Keep the fans close to cool you off. A tale of lust and love that is sure to curl your toes."Books in the Series...Book 1: Her Gilded PrisonBook 2: Dangerous GentlemenBook 3: The Mysterious GovernessBook 4: Beyond RubiesBook 5: Lady Unveiled~The Cuckold Conspiracy

Respectability or love?London's most celebrated actress, Miss Kitty La Bijou, has almost achieved her heart's desire. Mistress to handsome Lord Nash and the unacknowledged illegitimate daughter of Viscount Partington, she has fame, beauty and the man of her dreams.But the respectability she craves eludes her.When Kitty stumbles across Araminta, her nobly born half-sister, on the verge of giving birth barely seven months after marrying dangerous Viscount Debenham, Kitty realises respectability is no guarantee of character or happiness. However, helping Araminta has unwittingly embroiled Kitty in a scandalous deception involving a ruthless brothel madam, a priceless ruby necklace and the future heir to a dazzling fortune. And when Kitty finally receives an offer of marriage from unexpected quarters, that will seemingly solve all her problems, she must choose. Respectability or love?

Two beautiful sisters - one an illegitimate governess, the other a celebrated debutante - compete for love amidst the scandal and intrigue of a Regency London Season.Lissa Hazlett lives life in the shadows. The beautiful, unacknowledged daughter of Viscount Partington earns her living as drudge to the social climbing Lamonts while her vain and spoiled half sister, Araminta, enjoys London's social whirl as its most feted debutante. When Lissa's rare talent as a portraitist brings her unexpectedly into the bosom of society - and into the midst of a scandal involving Araminta and suspected English traitor Lord Debenham - she finds an unlikely ally: charming and besotted Ralph Tunley, Lord Debenham's underpaid, enterprising secretary. Ralph can't afford to leave the employ of the villainous viscount much less keep a wife but as an accepted member of the ton he can help Lissa cleverly navigate a perilous web of lies that will ensure everyone gets what they deserve.THE MYSTERIOUS GOVERNESS is Book 3 in the Daughters of Sin series but can be read as a stand-alone as it features the sibling rivalry between Viscount Partington's two nobly-born and three illegitimate daughters from a completely different perspective.Book 1: Her Gilded PrisonBook 2: Dangerous GentlemenBook 3: The Mysterious GovernessBook 4: Beyond RubiesBook 5: Lady Unveiled~The Cuckold's Conspiracy

She was the wallflower beneath his notice…until a terrible mistake has one dangerous, delicious rake believing she's the "fair Cyprian" ordered for his pleasure.Lady Henrietta has always known her place-in her dazzling older sister's shadow. She's a little brown peahen to Araminta's bird of paradise.But when the innocent debutante is mistaken for her common namesake "Hetty" and embroiled in the Regency underworld, she finds herself shockingly compromised by the dashing, dangerous Sir Aubrey, the very gentleman her heart desires. And the man Araminta has in her cold, calculating sights. Branded an enemy of the Crown, bitter over the loss of his wife, Sir Aubrey wants only to lose himself in the warm, willing body of the young "prostitute" Hetty. As he tutors her in the art of lovemaking, Aubrey is pleased to find Hetty not only an ardent student but a bright, witty and charming companion. Despite a spoiled Araminta plotting for a marriage offer and a powerful political enemy damaging his reputation, Aubrey believes he's been set up to suffer his greatest betrayal at the hands of the little "concubine" who's managed to breach the stony exterior of his heart.Until the 'the little brown peahen' reveals her true colors. Regency romance readers who loved 'Dynasty' will enjoy the trials and tribulations of the noble, scheming Partington family.

A duchess disguised as a lady's maid; a gentleman parading as a highwayman.She's on the run from a murderer, he's in pursuit of one.Married off at a young age to a brutal nobleman, Phoebe, Lady Cavanaugh, longs for love-and enters into a risky affair. Framed for her husband's murder, she flees wearing only a blood-stained chemise and is rescued by a handsome 'highwayman' who believes she's Lady Cavanaugh's maidservant.Hugh Redding has his own reasons for hunting the man whose mission is to see the infamous and elusive Murdering Duchess hanged for murder. And Phoebe, the 'maidservant with aspirations above her station' might prove the very weapon he needs-once he teaches her how to behave like a lady.Only when Phoebe mysteriously disappears does Hugh realise the real identity of the spirited wench he'd set out to tame-and the danger she's in.Burdened by the knowledge of his unwitting role in placing Phoebe in mortal peril, Hugh must now polish his skills as a gentleman, not only to save Phoebe from the gallows, but to win back her heart.