Whickertons in Love

He loves nothing better than to tease her. She considers him her nemesis... until the day she does not. England 1801: LADY LOUISA, daughter to the EARL OF WHICKERTON, never thought she would ever have reason enough to hate anyone; especially not PHINEAS HAWKE, VISCOUNT BARRINGTON, the man with the most wickedly dark eyes she has ever seen. Louisa is suddenly forced to realize that the man she could easily have lost her heart to has discovered her most shameful secret. Anger settles in her heart, burying all tender emotions, as she tries her utmost to ignore him. That is easier said than done. PHINEAS HAWKE has known the lovely LADY LOUISA almost all his life. Her face is a familiar sight, and although he cannot deny that she possesses certain appealing charms, Phineas has never looked at her and seen someone other than simply one of Lord Whickerton's daughters. At least not, until another gentleman rather unexpectedly voices his partiality toward her. Suddenly, Phineas realizes that the woman he has known all his life is one he has ignored for far too long, and to his utter dismay, she has come to loathe the very sight of him. He will not yield easily. As it seems, neither will she.

A marquess hell-bent on revenge. A lady haunted by her past. And an encounter that just might save them both. England 1802: LADY LEONORA, daughter to the EARL OF WHICKERTON, longs to understand... the world in its entirety, particularly, human nature. Always observing those around her, Leonora finds herself utterly fascinated by what people say and do, by how their eyes reflect what is in their hearts and how each and every emotion can be read upon another's face. One night, Leonora's curiosity leads her astray, forcing a lesson upon her that she cannot forget: the greatest evil hides behind the most charming smile. DRAKE SHAW, MARQUESS OF PEMBERTON, lives a life of regret and shame. Unable to right a wrong of his past, he seeks to punish those without honor. Drake has developed a keen eye for a lady who has been hurt. He recognizes the look of fear and pain in her eyes and understands it for what it is: the need for revenge. Until one day, Drake comes face to face with a young lady who surprises him at every turn. She is vulnerable and fearful, but also brave and... dauntless. Thrown off balance, Drake soon realizes that living for revenge might no longer be all he desires.

England 1803: LADY CHRISTINA BEAUMONT, daughter to the EARL OF WHICKERTON, is on a mission. A mission to protect her best friend from being forced into a marriage that would see her delicate heart broken and her sensibilities shocked. Deep in debt, Lord Hartmore agreed to marry his daughter to a scoundrel. A man who grew up far from London's high society. With one glance, Christina can see that the only reason Mr. Sharpe intends to marry her friend is to gain entrance into London's high society... and she will raise hell before allowing that to happen. Unfortunately, Christina finds herself falling prey to another's plan before her own can fall into place. THORNE SHARPE is a self-made man. A society match promises the necessary influence Thorne needs in order to make a difference, a difference for all those still struggling to survive each and every day. However, while the young lady he had his eye on appears to be kind and good-hearted-although somewhat fearful-Thorne finds his gaze linger upon her spirited friend instead, a siren with golden locks and eyes that shoot daggers at him at every occasion. So, when opportunity presents itself, Thorne does not hesitate. He never has. And he won't start now. He knows what he wants, and what he wants is... her.