Dangerous Deceptions Series by Louise Allen

A duke confronting his demons. A beauty resisting love. Almost seven years ago the young Duke of Calderbrook left England for the self-imposed exile that seemed the only way to save his life. Now Cal is back, a grown man bent on taking back his birthright and discovering who so nearly killed him – even if they prove to be someone he loves. The truth, revenge, then a suitable marriage are Cal’s aims, but his determined quest is stopped in its tracks by Society beauty Sophie Wilmott... moreA duke confronting his demons. A beauty resisting love. Almost seven years ago the young Duke of Calderbrook left England for the self-imposed exile that seemed the only way to save his life. Now Cal is back, a grown man bent on taking back his birthright and discovering who so nearly killed him – even if they prove to be someone he loves. The truth, revenge, then a suitable marriage are Cal’s aims, but his determined quest is stopped in its tracks by Society beauty Sophie Wilmott. He wants Sophie and Sophie, armoured against love by her own secrets, wants Cal. He needs to keep her safe, she needs to guard her heart – but death is waiting at the heart of the Duke’s great house and only courage and love is going to give them the strength to overcome it. less

What can a man who is living a lie honourably offer to the woman he loves? How can a lady betrayed learn to trust a man of secrets? Employed to investigate the harassment of the wife of an elderly viscount, swordmaster Jared Hunt finds persecution turning to murder and his professional detachment transforming into desire for the lovely young widow he must now protect... moreWhat can a man who is living a lie honourably offer to the woman he loves? How can a lady betrayed learn to trust a man of secrets? Employed to investigate the harassment of the wife of an elderly viscount, swordmaster Jared Hunt finds persecution turning to murder and his professional detachment transforming into desire for the lovely young widow he must now protect. The attraction is mutual, but Guinevere senses that her protector is both suspicious of her own murky past and hiding secrets of his own. When the trail of the killer leads them to Yorkshire Jared has to confront the treachery and lies that drove him from his home and together with Guinevere solve both the mystery that entangles them and the dilemma of their feelings for each other. less

Theo's an Earl with a problem. Laura's a lady in hiding. Life's complicated enough without a traitor, smugglers and murderous mayhem getting in the way of their fragile romance. . Laura Darke wants to keep out of the hands of her scheming trustee. Theo Quenten needs to come to terms with proposing to a lady he doesn't love... moreTheo's an Earl with a problem. Laura's a lady in hiding. Life's complicated enough without a traitor, smugglers and murderous mayhem getting in the way of their fragile romance. . Laura Darke wants to keep out of the hands of her scheming trustee. Theo Quenten needs to come to terms with proposing to a lady he doesn't love. When they both find themselves in a country house on the Norfolk coast things are complicated enough without mysterious tombs, a murderous attack on the curate, French gold and smuggling parsons. Somehow Theo has to free himself honourably, Laura has to thwart her relatives and together with their friends and some highly suspicious allies, bring a traitor to justice. Includes a valet in drag, a long-dead Rector, a gang of smugglers and familiar faces from the first two books in the Dangerous Deceptions series: Loving the Lost Duke and The Swordmaster's Mistress. less