Sweet Regency Tales

The Duke Who Stole My Heart is the sweet/tame version of The Duke's Bride. My dearest brother, Harry, if you receive this letter it will be because I've eloped with an honorable American shipping merchant and will soon be sailing far from England to his home in the Americas. This decision doesn't come easily. I've tried my best to convince your dear friend, the Duke of Ashten, to live again and remove himself from his own self-imposed exile, but in doing so I have instead been reminded of the day he first stole my heart. Eight years old, I was at the time, six years younger than the two of you. I adored chasing you both down to the river, climbing trees, and watching you fish. That was when I first fell in love with Ashten, but unfortunately that love is not reciprocated, even though I wish it were. Our dear sister posts this letter to you on my behalf as my valise is now packed and I'm about to escape from under Mama's eagle eyes for Gretna Green. An adventure awaits me, one hopefully without a brooding duke and a battle of wills at play. Please, remain safe during this dreadful war. I miss you, terribly. Your ever-loving sister, Ellie.

The Earl I Adore is the sweet/tame version of The Earl's Bride. My dearest James, Since the moment we met at the Bradford's ball a year ago, I've been entranced by you. Do you remember our first meeting? I'll never forget it. While the music played in the ballroom and everyone danced, I stepped outside for some fresh air and discovered a kitten which had gotten stuck between two branches. I picked up a nearby wooden pail, overturned it and tried to rescue the sweet wee creature. Unfortunately, as I plucked it free, I wobbled and lost my balance. You bounded over bushes to get to me, caught me in your arms and surrounded me with your strength and compassion. That night so long ago, you rescued me, and I discovered a treasure. You. Now, I could never allow that treasure to be lost, so even though you have an investigation to run so you might uncover who killed your father and brother, I simply can't ignore your needs and walk away as you've demanded. It's now my turn to bound over bushes for you, to aid you however I can. You have been warned. Yours, Sophia.

To Love During War is the sweet/tame version of The Wartime Bride. My dearest hussar, Harry, from the day you arrived at St. Vincent's Fort six months ago, an undeniable attraction began to simmer away between us. Whenever I got too close to you, my traitorous heart skipped a dratted beat and butterflies would abound in my belly. You have tempted me with your honor and integrity, with your deep love for your family and your fellow soldiers-in-arms. I'm aware you will fight to the death to ensure Napoleon doesn't end up taking Portugal, and so will I. Our enemy cannot be permitted to rule all of Europe, or to force his way onto England's shores. I admire all that you are, but you are also from a titled English family and of far better blood than I. My true parents abandoned me as a wee baby and if not for the professor who adopted me, I would have been left to perish. That is why I will never attempt to take our friendship any deeper than I should. Days together enjoying companionable friendship is all that I've asked for, but this war keeps tearing us apart, as if we shouldn't even be permitted that much. Never fear for me, my hussar-we will both survive this coming battle. It is time for us to slay our enemy, to win this dratted war, then for you to return safely to your family. Yours in deep friendship, Julia.

My Secret and the Earl is the sweet/tame version of The Earl's Secret Bride. My dearest Richard, I was a girl of seventeen when you first rescued me from tragic death. You rode in and saved my mother and me from a band of brigands and now six years on, I'm still irresistibly attracted to you. Unfortunately, my father has now agreed to my betrothal to an arrogant marquess who is more than twice my age and if I don't marry the man then my family will lose everything. I certainly can't allow that to happen so I've accepted what shall be, will do my duty and speak vows with him as my father has asked. Today though, you kissed me down by the lake and curled my toes. You made me long for things I can't possibly have-a marriage that will hold love, companionship, and immense adventure. If I might be so bold as to say in this letter, it is my secret wish that you would ride in and save me a second time. A dream, of course, but oh my, what a wonderful dream it would be. Yours in deep devotion, Rosamonde.

The Prince Who Captured Me is the sweet tame version of The Prince's Bride. My dearest Anteros, I'll never forget the elaborate masked ball I attended a year and a half ago when I first met you. You arrived attired head to toe in black with no other adornment save for a large diamond which twinkled from your right ear. Your black satin mask concealed your expression, making you ooze mystery with your hair slicked back and your blue eyes shining as deep and as bottomless as rich sapphires. Dark and dangerous you appeared behind your mask, the type of man one didn't trifle with, not unless they enjoyed said danger. A few short days past, you came to me with a request I can't turn down, not when my family owes you a great debt which I wish to repay. I understand your father is demanding you wed, something you've no intention of doing and I've agreed to your ruse, will gladly speak false marriage vows with you so you can be rid of the spy your father has tailing you. Unfortunately, I never expected to be kidnapped by that spy and tossed on a ship bound for the Mediterranean, or to learn from my captor that you're in fact a lost Prince of Naples and Sicily. Why couldn't you have shared the truth with me from the beginning? Please, take all care. I know you'll be captaining your ship in hard pursuit, and I have no intention of becoming your downfall. Your devoted friend, Olivia.