Böcker av Cerise Deland

He pretended he was her lover. She became his alibi...and his only love.Augustine Bolton lives amid the social whirl and treachery of the stylish court of Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte. When Gus's dearest friend, Amber, disappears, Gus must find her before the deputy chief of police finds Amber and carts her off to his bed-or to la Force.But Gus's means are few and her own duties as an agent in Amber's network mean she is also suspect. Gus needs help.Kane Whittington is just the man for the job.He has worked for London merchant-cum-spymaster Scarlett Hawthorne for years and welcomes Scarlett's call to build a large espionage network in Europe. His first task is to find the missing head of Scarlett's espionage network.The best person to help him is the lady's best friend whom he's never met. But when he sets eyes on ravishing Augustine Bolton in Josephine's salon, Kane recognizes the black-haired beauty as the one he kissed years ago on the road to Malmaison during a botched abduction of Bonaparte.Kane must persuade the beautiful Gus to allow him to help her. He suggests the cover for their escapade is simple: They show the gossipy Parisian court they enjoy a mad love affair. Thus, Gus gains an ally-and Kane acquires an alibi.But Gus's ally is a darling man whose kindness thrills her. His alibi is a brave, beautiful woman he cannot give up. Can they find a way to fulfill their missions-and join together to claim their love for a lifetime?Scarlett AffairsBook 1 - Lord Ashley's Beautiful AlibiBook 2 - Lord Ramsey's Red-headed RuinBook 3 - Lord Appleby's Gorgeous ImposterBook 4 - Lord Fournier's Shameless MinxBook 5 - Lord Carlisle's Enticing BaitBook 6 - Lord Halsey's Tempestuous MinxBook 7 - Sir Durham's Disarming AssetBook 8 - The Dowager's Irresistible RogueBook 9 - His Highness's Tender TrapBook 10 - The Duke's Tamed HellionBook 11 - The Marquis's Dangerous EnchantressBook 12 - The Smuggler's Precious CargoBook 13 - The Baron's Brazen ConfidanteBook 14 - His Grace's Guilty PleasureBook 15 - Lord Fox's Rebellious VixenBook 16 - Scarlett's Best Agent

Can two people who have learned how to fight for all they want and win push pride aside to save their love and their marriage? Miss Priscilla Taunton has little to commend her. No looks, no titled family, no savoir faire. But her fortune can buy her a husband if she's brave enough to use it. Cilla has struggled to make a new life for herself. Years of ridicule and suppression at the hands of her parents mean she has had to live down the scurrilous reputation her elders cast upon her. But after creating herself anew, Cilla needs a husband of good cheer and spotless reputation. To make that a reality, she'll use her money, all of it, if necessary, to hire Mrs. Dove-Lyon-and ask for herself only one special reward. Captain Valerian Anderleigh has always won every battle. Hailed by his superiors as honorable, revered by his men as heroic, he is a legend. When Val returns home from the wars to assume his family's title, he meets challenges for which no battlefield prepared him. His estate is flooded. His stepmother and her two daughters spend every penny. His younger brother runs wild. Val will do anything to resurrect his family's pride. Even enter the Lyon's Den and assume a terrible burden. Surprisingly, marrying a lovely, lonely woman becomes not a challenge but a greater joy than he anticipated. Losing the love of his life in defeat is not an option.

Love does not advertise.Love extracts no price.When a young widow wishes to marry again, will the man she grows to love ask more than she can give?Mrs. Tynley Wallingford yearns for a quiet, comforting marriage to a man whom she can respect. She'll go to any lengths to find the best candidate who can respect her, in turn. Even correspond with one fellow at length before she agrees that Kendryck Hollens is the man whose words awaken her desire for a husband she might grow to love.Tynley takes a risk and sails to Wales with the best intentions. She finds in Kendryck a man with a noble ambition-and a family filled with age-old conflict and despair.Kendryck Hollens returns home to Wales after fifteen years abroad, a stranger to his cantankerous family. He assumes his rightful title as baron of the legendary house of Strade and attempts to change the dastardly reputation of his ancestors, and put his siblings on the right path to a purposeful life.Thrilled that Tynley has come to his home, he notices that her presence creates challenges among those in his family. But he feels assured she can help him obtain what he wants most in this world.When a tragedy threatens to ruin his ambition and his family, he fears the price of endurance will ruin Tynley's personal objective too-and drive her from him.How much can one ask of one whom they love? Are any prices too high?¿¿Matrimony!If I Love YouBecause of YouYou Do Something to Me

She'd spent so many years acting like a proper lady, she'd forgotten how to be a woman. He's determined to help her remember. Lady William Downs revels in her reputation as a Society dragon, a Diamond (still!) at her age, too-and a widow of independent means. Colonel Lord Magnus Augustus Welles is home from the savagery of the wars. Heir to his ailing father the Duke of Ruscombe, Magnus wants a wife-and he knows just who that will be. But the lady doth protest too much. To woo her is easy. To win her he'll persuade her with the best gifts of all-a new phaeton, horses-and, yes, himself. In all the racy ways she's never enjoyed! (Note: This story was first published as part of the Anthology set titled Get Your Duke On in August 2022.

She'd spend every last penny to marry again for security, comfort-or even friendship. He'd win her wager, possess her, keep her for himself-even if he'd never win her love. Adriana, Lady Benton, has many regrets-and one hope. To wed a good man to gain a life to which she is entitled. One free of sorrow, penury and ridicule. Appealing to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, Adriana hopes to attract one man who may appreciate her assets. But never need her love. Colonel Sidney Wolf, once hailed as the ruthless 'Hound of the Horse Guards', vows to end Adriana's hardships. He's home from the wars and faces the daunting task of filling his father's role as the Earl of Middlethorpe. Believing only Adriana will do as his helpmate, he strikes a deal with Dove-Lyon that brings him the one woman he admires. The one woman he tells himself he can live with-and never touch. But the nearness of his funny, charming, beautiful bride drives him mad. Knowing she will never love other than her first husband, can he keep his hands-and his heart to himself? And if he doesn't, can she ever forgive him?

Love does not advertise. Love is not proud.But when a young woman has nothing left but pride, she places an ad and hopes for a husband to treasure.Miss 'Daisy' Molyneaux is desperate. All her family is dead. Her home in Normandy, attacked by mobs. Now that the little general has abdicated, she has a chance to gain back her lands. But she needs a husband who will help her regain her rights. So she pays to post an advert for a husband.When the man who answers is not one she could ever love, but his nephew could be, can she accept his proposal?Garrick Ruxton appears to her like a golden-haired hero, a handsome creature who saves her from an imperfect marriage. Garrick vows to accompany Daisy to France and, in the bargain, solve his own problem. His shipments, meant for British forces on the Continent, constantly go missing. He knows not who or how or why the thieves steal his goods. Worse, someone has attempted to kill his uncle. Daisy, too.Garrick must find all those guilty before he is accused of treason. Before Daisy loses all hope of regaining her rights.And before they both lose the one chance they have to find happiness together.Matrimony!If I Love YouBecause of YouYou Do Something to Me

Love does not advertise. Love counts no wrongs.But when a young woman needs to escape an ogre, she'll take an ad to find a man she can adore.Verity Carr wants a new life in a new town far from her old home and the vile threat to her body and soul. She comes from a fine family, has a good education and a bold ambition to become a portrait artist. She's ready to live her life with a man who will value her. A husband she can can respect and in time, hopefully love. Yet valiant though she is, she questions if she can escape her past and the one who will not let her go.Can a gentleman to whom great wrong was done, build a new life with a true wife and leave the past behind?Miles St. John Armstrong, Viscount Bellamy, never should have wed his first wife. He vows to select a new one with logic and careful investigation via advertisement. The young lady he selects is Verity Carr who is no ordinary woman. She has charm, wit and a beauty that sears his soul. No wonder theirs is a relationship built quickly on admiration and trust. No wonder their marriage becomes one built of mutual mad passion.But devoted as they are, their past comes to call. And it asks of them the ultimate question, can their love withstand the tempest and survive the terror?Matrimony!If I Love YouBecause of YouYou Do Something to Me

The Dashwood sisters love too passionately...and, it seems, without reciprocal feelings from the men they choose. But lust can change a man...and a woman.If love is never sane, then lust certainly is all passion.Elinor Dashwood cannot explain her affection for polite, reserved Edward Ferrars. In contrast, her younger sister Marianne endlessly extols the visage and virtues of dashing John Willoughby. Frustrated and lonely, Elinor yearns for Edward''s touch and some declaration of his regard. Yet she loves him.Marianne eagerly surrenders to rapture in Willoughby''s arms-and cannot even consider the constancy of quiet, compassionate Colonel Brandon. Neither sister can escape the draw of lust. But as they learn more about those men they adore, they learn that love can be both sensible and sensational.