Reckless Brides

SHE'S ALWAYS READY FOR ADVENTURE. HE'S ALMOST READY FOR LOVE...A LADY IN DISGUISE For generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her younger brother refuses to report for duty, Sally Kent slips into uniform and takes his place-at least until he comes to his senses. Boldly climbing aboard H.M.S. Audacious, Sally is as able-bodied as any sailor there. But one man is making her feel tantalizingly aware of the full-bodied woman beneath her navy blues...A MAN OVERBOARD Dedicated to his ship, sworn to his duty-and distractingly gorgeous-Lieutenant David Colyear sees through Sally's charade, and he's furious. But he must admit she's the best midshipman on board-and a woman who tempts him like no other. With his own secrets to hide and his career at stake, Col agrees to keep her on. But can the passion they hide survive the perils of battle at sea? Soon, their love and devotion will be put to the test...

In English society, the rules of engagement have stood the test of time. Until a Reckless Bride falls in deeply, scandalously in love…CAN AN INDECENT PROPOSAL When Lady Claire Jellicoe agreed to a walk in the moonlight, she never imagined her titled companion might have brutal motives. Nor could she have dreamed up such a brave rescue by the most unexpected savior of all: an inscrutable nobleman with a daring plan of escape-and a deliciously tempting embrace…LEAD TO EVERLASTING LOVE? Timothy Evans, the Duke of Fenmore, has palmed more treasures than he can count. Even for a man who grew up thieving in London's stews, a stolen bride should be beyond the pale. But Fenmore won't let scandal ruin the spirited beauty's reputation. And now that she's stolen his heart, how can he ever let her go…?

The rules of courtship are swept out to sea when a shipwreck offers a Reckless Bride a true taste of paradise…CAN A WHIRLWIND ROMANCE For too long, Miss Jane Burke's father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew's insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn't prepared to be championed by a handsome ship's officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…LEAD TO A PROPER PROPOSAL? For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty's survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship's drunken captain-and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it's Jane's love Charles wants forever…

Lieutenant Ian Worth needs a wife by Christmas. He has to find her, woo her and wed her before he goes back to sea. Anne Lesley is a shy spinster with no prospects, so she accepts Ian's hasty offer if only for the security, and the house, the marriage will bring. But when a midwinter storm rolls in, things start to heat up between them, and they just might find a Christmas present they didn't expect: honest-to-goodness, true love. Included in this edition is the short story: A Unrequited Fire

Miss Tamsin Lesley desires above all else to be a bluestocking and lead an intellectual life. The only thing standing in her way is her father's heir, who wants her along with her father's estate. To foil him, Tamsin enlists the services of masculine wallflower Simon Cathcart to ruin her. But the road to ruination leads to far more pleasurable places than Tamsin had ever imagined, and her charming wallflower proves to have secrets of his own.

Miss Penelope Pease is what every bright young thing never wants to be-ruined, thanks to an ill-conceived flirtation with the late Duke of Warwick. But ruined suits the new duke, his brother, Commander Marcus Beecham just fine-because after a career in the Royal Navy, he's rather ruined himself. All it takes is one frosty night for two imperfect people to make the perfect February valentine.

A man who stands alone.Nicholas Gowan is forced to make his way in the world with his sword, teaching fencing to young lordlings with more money than sense. But when he takes on a remarkable-and remarkably attractive-new student, his prospects begin to change. A woman who knows her worth.The Honorable Miss Violet Worth has always known exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to fight for it. Crossed swords soon lead to crossed hearts, but a viscount's daughter can't fall in love with a penniless swordsman. But Violet devises a plan to parry those determined to keep them apart with a clever feint at the Midsummer Night's Ball.