Spies and Lovers Series by Laura Trentham

Keeping her safe is difficult, keeping a proper distance from her is downright impossible. Lady Lily Drummond understands only too well the danger of spy work. Her father, a preeminent master spy, has been missing for months, and her brother barely survived his final mission for the Crown. Lily is still determined to help find her father, no matter how hard her brother and his best friend try to keep her in the dark... moreKeeping her safe is difficult, keeping a proper distance from her is downright impossible. Lady Lily Drummond understands only too well the danger of spy work. Her father, a preeminent master spy, has been missing for months, and her brother barely survived his final mission for the Crown. Lily is still determined to help find her father, no matter how hard her brother and his best friend try to keep her in the dark. Busy trying to untangle the web of deceit surrounding the Earl of Windor’s disappearance, Crown spy Gray Masterson also has to ensure Lily Drummond, the gangly, awkward child who was his constant shadow growing up, doesn’t get herself ruined at her London debut. But the girl with scraped knees and elbows has evolved into a lush, sensual beauty surrounded by a bevy of suitors. Realizing Lily is going to investigate on her own if he doesn’t let her join the hunt for her missing father, Gray assumes he can give Lily a few minor tasks to pacify her, but he quickly learns she is a valuable asset. Moreover, she fairly crackles with life and warmth—things he craves after his dark years in service. Warning: This book contains spies, scandals, naughty liaisons in houses of ill repute, men who think they know everything and women who know they do not. less

Love soothes the deepest of scars. Spies and Lovers, Book 2 Minerva Bellingham is at her wits’ end. Her younger brother, Simon, will have them penniless and on the streets if his extravagant gambling habit isn’t curtailed. An enormous debt to Lord Rafe Drummond is the final indignity. Signing over her dowry is their only choice. Until Lord Drummond suggests something much more scandalous. She can keep her dowry—in exchange for the Bellinghams working three months as a housemaid and stable boy... moreLove soothes the deepest of scars. Spies and Lovers, Book 2 Minerva Bellingham is at her wits’ end. Her younger brother, Simon, will have them penniless and on the streets if his extravagant gambling habit isn’t curtailed. An enormous debt to Lord Rafe Drummond is the final indignity. Signing over her dowry is their only choice. Until Lord Drummond suggests something much more scandalous. She can keep her dowry—in exchange for the Bellinghams working three months as a housemaid and stable boy. Scarred from his service to the Crown, Rafe recognizes the young Simon Bellingham has the makings of a good duke. Minerva is a different story. Her pure, delicate beauty only underscores Rafe’s tarnished, bleak soul. Yet he delights in cracking Minerva’s icy reserve to reveal a fiery, stubborn woman. And Minerva discovers the gruff master of Wintermarsh has the heart of a poet. But before they can find a future safe in each other’s arms, a menace from Simon’s licentious past slithers back into their lives, forcing Rafe to plan the most important rescue mission of his life. Warning: Contains a paragon of the beau monde who gets the hang of polishing silver, and a master of the house who’d like her to make his bed—preferably with him in it. Also passion unleashed with the mere touch of a finger. Readers are encouraged to swoon. less

Can a single night’s deception lead to a lifelong love? On the eve of her wedding to a man she detests, Brynmore McCann can think of only one way to escape—by ruining herself—but the local lads leave her wholly uninspired. Just as she’s ready to accept her fate, she spots Maxwell Drake, home after nearly a decade. Even though he had loved her sister when they were young, Bryn has always considered him hers, and she can’t think of anyone she’d rather have bed her for the first time... moreCan a single night’s deception lead to a lifelong love? On the eve of her wedding to a man she detests, Brynmore McCann can think of only one way to escape—by ruining herself—but the local lads leave her wholly uninspired. Just as she’s ready to accept her fate, she spots Maxwell Drake, home after nearly a decade. Even though he had loved her sister when they were young, Bryn has always considered him hers, and she can’t think of anyone she’d rather have bed her for the first time. Only she never intends for him to uncover her real name. Upon returning home, Maxwell is stunned by the news that his father may have left him an inheritance. As the unacknowledged by-blow of a local nobleman, Maxwell struggles with resentment over the way he and his mother were treated by his father and the village. To add to his troubles, he discovers the lass he spent an incredibly satisfying night with was not the village whore, but the high-born sister of his first love. He insists Brynmore travel with him to Edinburgh until they determine if she is with child. Because if she is, she’ll marry him whether she wants to or not. Along the road to Edinburgh, they are attacked by persons unknown. As the list of suspects who want them dead grows longer and his worries deepen, Maxwell prepares for an even more personal battle—how to keep from surrendering his heart to Brynmore. Warning: Contains a broody Scotsman, a fiery-haired lass, and a night of passion that changes everything. Readers are encouraged to bring a fan. less

A debutante, a disgraced lord, and a dead body. A disaster... or the grimmest meet-cute in Regency London? Miss Delilah Bancroft has a problem. A sizable and rather bloody one. Namely, a dead man on the library floor. She’d only wished for a moment of solitude out of the glaring eyes of Society. Instead, she’s caught red-handed (unfortunately, literally) by an attractive stranger. Is he her salvation or ruination? Marcus, Lord Wyndam has inherited a decrepit castle and a tainted title... moreA debutante, a disgraced lord, and a dead body. A disaster... or the grimmest meet-cute in Regency London? Miss Delilah Bancroft has a problem. A sizable and rather bloody one. Namely, a dead man on the library floor. She’d only wished for a moment of solitude out of the glaring eyes of Society. Instead, she’s caught red-handed (unfortunately, literally) by an attractive stranger. Is he her salvation or ruination? Marcus, Lord Wyndam has inherited a decrepit castle and a tainted title. During his desperate search for evidence to silence whispers of treason against his father, he stumbles across a woman holding a deadly stiletto over a body. Is she murderer or pawn? What he knows for sure is that she is his only link to the truth. With enemies beating down the door, he spirits her from the scene before she is discovered with blood on her hands—and her pretty white debutante dress—to unearth her part in the grisly plot. Delilah proves herself to be a woman of wit and courage as well as beauty, and as the only person who might be able to identify the man behind the plot that ruined his father, Marcus must keep her close. Even if he has to ruin her to do it. Warning: Contains a lady who longs for adventure, a man of honor who longs for respectability, and a head long rush through London’s ballrooms on the hunt for both. Will they live to love another day? less

What’s the best Christmas present? A wicked wedding… Marcus, Lord Linley, never thought to ascend to the title. After all, he was not the heir or the spare, but a lowly third son. Miss Diana Grambling is painfully aware her blood isn’t blue enough for an earl to consider her as a match. When the childhood friends stumble across a smuggling ring operating along their coast, they are in need a Christmastide miracle... moreWhat’s the best Christmas present? A wicked wedding… Marcus, Lord Linley, never thought to ascend to the title. After all, he was not the heir or the spare, but a lowly third son. Miss Diana Grambling is painfully aware her blood isn’t blue enough for an earl to consider her as a match. When the childhood friends stumble across a smuggling ring operating along their coast, they are in need a Christmastide miracle. If they can survive, will they be strong enough to follow their hearts? Warning: Contains a hero battling his gentlemanly impulses, a heroine who falls for her brothers’ best friend, and a wicked night in front of a fire that changes everything. Teaser: Was Cole, Lord Linley, going to kiss her? Diana could easily duck under his arm and make a run for Grambling Manor, yet she merely tilted her head back to hold his gaze. Gray clouds scooted across the sky, portending the coming dusk and casting a shadow across his face. Was Cole playing a jest? Would he laugh about how simple and gullible she was to Piers and Liam later? The moment stretched into minutes, hours, days. His mouth inched toward hers with the inexorableness of the tide sweeping along the shore. At some point, she let go of the cloak and grasped the soft lawn fabric where his shirt parted, revealing his collarbones and a sprinkling of dark hair. He was wearing a hardy green waistcoat but no collar or neckcloth. “This is terribly ill-advised, Cole.” While the words stuttered out of her, her hand remained firmly entangled in his shirt. “Terribly.” His mouth moved within the flutter of a butterfly’s wings from hers. “I don’t require a pity kiss from you.” He retreated slightly, and she found herself following. “Pity is not the emotion I’m battling at the moment.” Before she could question him further or ask him why her and not beautiful, ladylike Rose, their lips crashed together. In all her imaginings—and there had been an embarrassing number of hours spent on this very subject—Diana had pictured her first kiss as being chaste. The soft, simple press of lips to lips. How wrong she was. There was nothing simple nor chaste about Cole’s kiss. Note: A Wicked Wedding was previously included in the Once Upon a Christmas Wedding anthology less

As the daughter of England’s spymaster, Miss Victoria Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. Her biggest secret is the tender feelings she holds for Thomas Garrick, her father’s personal guard. As the pressure to choose a husband at an upcoming Christmas house party mounts, Victoria grows desperate.When circumstances trap them together in a cottage with a single bed and a bottle of brandy, her infatuation with the gruff Garrick might cause the scandal of the season.. moreAs the daughter of England’s spymaster, Miss Victoria Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. Her biggest secret is the tender feelings she holds for Thomas Garrick, her father’s personal guard. As the pressure to choose a husband at an upcoming Christmas house party mounts, Victoria grows desperate.When circumstances trap them together in a cottage with a single bed and a bottle of brandy, her infatuation with the gruff Garrick might cause the scandal of the season...and give Victoria exactly what she wishes for this Christmas.Previously published in the anthology, Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal less

She is desperate for a fairy godmother. Fate gives her a wicked duke.Simon, the Duke of Bellingham, is dreading his sister’s house party, especially as her matchmaking hat is firmly in place. Attempting to atone for a misspent youth, Simon has become a sober, respected member of Parliament—and a hunted bachelor. His plan to avoid the minefield of ambitious mamas and their daughters is cast aside when he happens across a lady whose beauty is enhanced by her warmth and teasing tongue... moreShe is desperate for a fairy godmother. Fate gives her a wicked duke.Simon, the Duke of Bellingham, is dreading his sister’s house party, especially as her matchmaking hat is firmly in place. Attempting to atone for a misspent youth, Simon has become a sober, respected member of Parliament—and a hunted bachelor. His plan to avoid the minefield of ambitious mamas and their daughters is cast aside when he happens across a lady whose beauty is enhanced by her warmth and teasing tongue.Miss Jessica Tremaine never forgot the kindness Simon showed her on a dark day when she was a young girl. Unexpectedly crossing paths once again, he assumes she’s a lady’s maid and not the girl from a troubled aristocratic family. It’s clear he doesn’t remember her, and for a time, she allows herself to dream of a future away from her despicable stepfather.Simon learns of her deception and retreats to London to nurse what he suspects is a broken heart. When Jessica finds herself in London and in danger, she turns to the one man she trusts—even if he doesn’t trust her.Warning: Contains a lady in need of a knight-errant, a duke in need of a lady, and a deception that ignites a passion for the ages. less