Romance of the Turf

Nathaniel Chandler is handsome and charming-and according to his father, that's about all. Though the family fortunes depend on Nathaniel's expertise throughout the Regency horse-racing world, a troubled past has broken the trust between father and son. When an opportunity arises to lead a string of Thoroughbreds south from Newmarket for the Epsom Derby, Nathaniel jumps at the chance to prove his worth. His father agrees on the condition that his dependable new secretary, Rosalind Agate, makes the journey as well. A female secretary is a bit of a scandal, but there's no denying that Rosalind is clever and adept. She hides scars from a childhood accident that changed the course of her life-but the benefactor who once saved her now brings danger. With her own secret reasons for taking a post with the Chandler family, Rosalind joins Nathaniel on the road. With travel comes adventure-and a blossoming romance that turns passionate. But even as Rosalind tastes pleasure for the first time, the end of the road beckons. After the Derby, she and Nathaniel must return to the old roles that entrap them. How can these two lovers ever build a life together? "An unusual romance seasoned with a generous dash of mystery and danger."

Antiquities expert Evan Rhys might be a rogue, but he's as loyal as can be. When he fell in love with Lady Kate Whelan at first sight, he hid his heart-because Kate was his lifelong friend's new bride. And when a mysterious steeplechase accident in Ireland left Kate a widow, Evan fled to protect his late friend's secrets … and tried to forget his unrequited love. When Kate's mourning is complete, she is determined to live anew-starting by clearing the debt that endangers her young son's future. She seeks help at a race meet in Newmarket, where she is delighted to encounter her long-lost friend Evan. He agrees to accompany her back to Ireland, following a trail of false artifacts. Through travel adventures over land and sea-from stuck carriages to smutty antiquities-Kate's feelings deepen, and the friends become lovers. But once within the bounds of the Whelan estate, old secrets and betrayals are ready to come to light. And the truth could endanger not only Kate and Evan's newfound love, but their lives … "Romain's elegant prose, inventive plotting, brilliantly nuanced characters, and refreshingly different setting make her latest superbly written romance de rigueur for Regency romance fans." "Abounds with delightful characters…An entertaining collision of crossed purposes and mixed messages ensues." "Kate and Evan and the naturalness of their dialogue are the best parts of the novel and the thing that will carry readers all the way through the last page…{as} Romain writes the romantic parts of the tale so well."

Everyone has secrets … Though their horse-racing family is as troubled as it is talented, all of the Chandler siblings have found love … except eldest brother Jonah. Married four years ago and abandoned after his wedding night, single-minded Jonah now spends his days training Thoroughbreds-while his lost bride is a family mystery no one dares discuss. And that's just the way Jonah and his wife, Irene, want it. The biracial daughter of a seamstress and a con artist, Irene has built a secret career as a spy and pickpocket who helps troubled women. By day she works as a teacher at Mrs. Brodie's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies; in spare moments she takes on missions that carry her everywhere from London's elite heart to its most dangerous corners. Jonah agreed to this arrangement for four years, until Irene's family fortunes were made. After surviving on passionate secret meetings and stolen days together, now it's time to begin the marriage so long delayed. But as these two independent souls begin to build a life together, family obligations and old scandals threaten to tear them apart …

Here in this collection are two enticing novellas from the pen of popular Regency romance author Theresa Romain. In The Sport of Baronets, Hannah Chandler, raised at the heart of the Regency horseracing world, knows two things for certain. First, the rival Crosby family cannot be trusted-ever. And second, she has just bought the champion colt, Golden Barb, for a fortune-making stakes race. But when Hannah tries to claim the colt from handsome young baronet Bart Crosby, Golden Barb's current owner, everything she believes falls apart. The prize colt is stolen-and with it go both families' dreams of rebuilding troubled reputations. Is Bart to blame for the theft, or is he truly as honest and determined as he seems? As Hannah and Bart rush to solve the mystery before race day, they uncover scandalous family secrets-and learn that enemies might just make the best lovers. In The Way to a Gentleman's Heart, a Regency lady begins a new life as a cook-but her first love wants a second chance. Eight years ago, Marianne Redfern fled her country home when her first love, Jack Grahame, was forced to wed another. At a mysterious London girls' school with secret classes, she learned the arts of cookery and self-defense. But she has no defense against Jack's unexpected arrival two weeks before an event that will secure the academy's fortunes. Now a wealthy widower, Jack still has a wicked twinkle in his eye and a place in Marianne's heart. When she gives him a second chance, he is at her side in the kitchen all day and the bedchamber all night. But forgiveness doesn't come together as easily as a sauce, and the wounds of the past will either destroy the academy's fortunes or ruin Jack and Marianne's chance at a future.