Academy of Love

Finding out that her husband was a bigamist didn't devastate Portia Stefani; she held her head high when she forced him out of her life. But losing her beloved music school as a result of the traitorous bastard's gambling debts almost destroyed her. The only way she'll be able to make ends meet is to accept a lucrative tutoring position in remote Cornwall. What Portia hasn't anticipated is the life-altering impact that her mesmerizing new employer has on her. Stacy Harrington learned the hard way to keep people at a distance. Playing the piano is the only thing that makes his solitary life enjoyable these days, and he'll be damned if he allows his albinism to keep him from everything he loves. Bringing a private music tutor into his home is disruptive, but it's the only solution. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared him for the overwhelming attraction he feels toward his fiery new employee. It's not long before a shared passion for music develops into something infinitely deeper. But when ghosts from the past-along with some very dark secrets-emerge to threaten everything they've built, can Stacy and Portia continue to make beautiful music together? Contains mature themes.

Gareth Lockheart is one of the richest men in England, but it will also take a proper country estate and an aristocratic wife with impeccable connections to gain entree into the corridors of power. Gareth is determined to find the right woman the same way he does everything: using logic and mathematics. Serena Lombard might be the widow of a duke's son, but she's always existed on the ton's fringes. The unconventional French emigre has worked hard to create a secure home for her son and has struggled to establish herself as a sculptor and landscape gardener. Gareth should have known doing business with a woman would be a mistake-especially a far too appealing French widow who manages to destroy his ability to concentrate. Serena loves the project she has been hired to do; it's too bad the man himself is so remote and unreadable. Not to mention utterly captivating. The only thing they can agree on is that they should avoid becoming entangled. But when Serena's dangerous past catches up with her, it is Gareth she turns to for help and he doesn't hesitate to give it. But can a man who needs order give himself up to the most unpredictable emotion of all: Love? Contains mature themes.

Honoria Keyes isn't the gawky, impressionable fifteen year old girl she was when she first met Simon Fairchild. Twelve years have passed, and she's a successful artist, enjoying her independence to the fullest. Simon has changed, too. Gone is the beautiful, gentle boy of Honoria's dreams. In his place is a dangerous, damaged man intent on avoiding human contact-and emotions. It would be unthinkable to fall for this difficult, wounded recluse. But then again, Honoria has never been one to do things the easy way . . . Simon returned from Waterloo a bitter, broken shell of the man he once was. As if his scarred body and mind aren't bad enough, he's also financially dependent on his brother, the duke, while he convalesces. The duke's fondest wish is for Simon to marry and produce an heir-something Simon has no intention of doing. The one thing he never anticipated? All the unwanted feelings the lovely, talented, and infinitely intriguing Honoria would awaken in him . . . Can Honoria and Simon heal the wounds of the past and build a life together? Or will their attempt at happily ever after end up a portrait of failure? Contains mature themes.

She's not who he thought she was. But he's not who he's pretending to be, either . . . Annis Bowman lost everything when she trusted the wrong man. Now, she needs money, and she needs it fast. Finding a wealthy husband is her only viable option. It's just her wretched misfortune that the only man who truly interests her is poor as a church mouse. Henry Singleton, the new Earl of Rotherhithe, is ready for desperate measures. He's tired of not knowing if women are interested in him-or his wealth. Switching identities with one of his employees is the perfect solution. So, imagine his disappointment when the lovely Annis turns out to be a heartless fortune hunter . . . When a series of unfortunate events-and a huge coincidence-trap them in a marriage neither expected, can Annis and Henry overcome the misunderstandings, lies, and suspicion that stand between them? Or is their chance for a happily ever after doomed from the start? Contains mature themes.

Their mercenary marriage of convenience was perfect . . . until love got in the way . . . Mary Barnett has never dreamed of marriage and family. Scarred and wary, she's done everything she can to avoid men. Operating her family's vast business is the only future she has ever wanted. Mary had no way of knowing that her father would place conditions on her inheritance. Namely, she will only retain control of her father's empire if she marries. And not just to any man, but a peer of the realm . . . The last time his family tried to force Miles Ingram to marry for money, he rebelled, abandoned society for good, and went off to war. His subsequent employment as a dancing instructor might have been enough to sustain him-but when his brother dies, saddling him with a destitute earldom, Miles can no longer hide from his obligations. He'll need to marry a wealthy woman, and fast . . . They're complete opposites, but their goals are perfectly aligned. And it's not long before they realize their hearts aren't as far apart as they initially thought. Miles and Mary know their dance with love can only end in happily ever after, or heartbreak. But which one will it be? Contains mature themes.

Investigating London's most infamous rogue for a seedy newspaper is hardly Lorelei Fontenot's dream job. But if that's what it takes to break into publishing, so be it. She'll uncover the sexy nobleman's deepest, darkest secrets. It's just her misfortune that she'll have to peek into his bedroom windows-at his brothel, no less-to do it . . . Lord Stand Fast Severn, heir to the Marquess of Granton, needs answers. Contrary to what the ton believes, he didn't drive his twin brother to kill himself. But finding the man who did might be tricky. Especially with a nosy-and dangerously fascinating-journalist plaguing his every move. But when her investigation lands her neck-deep in danger, Fast knows it's up to him to protect her. The last thing Lori wants is the handsome rake's protection. Especially when it means being kidnapped and held in his brothel like a prisoner. But if Lori wants to get away from him so badly, then why isn't she trying very hard to escape? Can two enemies, forced into close proximity, write their own story of love? Only if they can solve a murder before a killer gets to them first . . . Contains mature themes.

Lady Winifred, the young Dowager Countess of Sedgewick, has already had one husband. She doesn't want another. And if Freddie ever did change her mind on the matter, she most certainly would not marry a ruthless, dominating, and heartless block of ice like the Duke of Plimpton. The Duke of Plimpton has already had one wife who did not love, or even like, him. Unfortunately, it seems he will have to take another. Because there is only one real candidate when it comes to Plimpton's next duchess, and that is Lady Winifred Sedgewick. The fact that she loathes and despises him is irrelevant. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object either one of them has to give or they both risk their own destruction. Or is there a third option? Contains mature themes.