Blackhaven Brides Series by Mary Lancaster

The Wicked Baron is the first in the Blackhaven Brides series, set in a newly fashionable spa town on the beautiful Cumbrian coast, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society turn local life upside down. Orphan Gillie Muir makes ends meet by holding genteel card parties for friends and visitors to the newly fashionable spa town of Blackhaven. But when Lord Wickenden, known as the Wicked Baron, makes her a shocking proposal, her world is turned upside down... moreThe Wicked Baron is the first in the Blackhaven Brides series, set in a newly fashionable spa town on the beautiful Cumbrian coast, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society turn local life upside down. Orphan Gillie Muir makes ends meet by holding genteel card parties for friends and visitors to the newly fashionable spa town of Blackhaven. But when Lord Wickenden, known as the Wicked Baron, makes her a shocking proposal, her world is turned upside down. Jaded and bored, Lord Wickenden has his own reasons for joining the house party at Braithwaite Castle. One of them is to oblige an ex-mistress by detaching her son from the local gaming den hussy who has ensnared him. But, confronted by Gillie’s unexpected charm and innocence, Wickenden abandons his original plan of simply taking her for himself. Instead, he becomes embroiled in her bizarre problems, which include saving her reputation and her life, keeping the Watch away from her card parties, and hiding an injured smuggler who was once kind to her. The infuriating and devastating Wickenden soon has Gillie’s heart in a spin. But when she discovers he means to fight a duel over her – and everyone knows the wicked baron never misses - she’ll go to any length to save his life and his soul. Even elope with another man. less

The scandalous widow…and the curate? Newly widowed, wicked Kate Crowmore is in trouble. Scandal has broken over her head and someone is trying to kill her. When she seeks refuge in Blackhaven, she doesn’t expect a clergyman to be the solution to both these problems! Tristram Grant is not just any clergyman. The cast-off, illegitimate son of an earl, and a one-time army officer of great promise, the charismatic new curate is making his mark in Blackhaven... moreThe scandalous widow…and the curate? Newly widowed, wicked Kate Crowmore is in trouble. Scandal has broken over her head and someone is trying to kill her. When she seeks refuge in Blackhaven, she doesn’t expect a clergyman to be the solution to both these problems! Tristram Grant is not just any clergyman. The cast-off, illegitimate son of an earl, and a one-time army officer of great promise, the charismatic new curate is making his mark in Blackhaven. As soon as he sees the beautiful, defiant Kate, he sets his heart on her. And he is used to achieving his goals. But Kate, finally free of a disastrous marriage that almost broke her, has no intention of marrying anyone ever again - supposing she survives the attempts on her life. Grant’s courtship, like his pursuit of her enemies, is unorthodox, fun and curiously seductive. However, he has secrets of his own and when he deliberately frees a French prisoner of war, Kate realizes he could be more dangerous than she imagined. Then, as if life isn’t complicated enough, her old scandal catches us with her again, in the shape of Lord Vernon, whom the world imagines is her lover – and he wants to marry her too.… less

BOOK THREE IN THE BESTSELLING BLACKHAVEN BRIDES SERIES - ALSO IN KINDLE UNLIMITED! ***** At eight-and-twenty, Lady Arabella Niven is gentle, sickly, and firmly on the shelf. Having disobliged her father by refusing her last chance of marriage, she has been sent in disgrace to Blackhaven with two domineering aunts. Her one wish is to be left alone in a quiet cottage to write books on history. However, everything changes when she tries to rescue a naked man apparently drowning at sea... moreBOOK THREE IN THE BESTSELLING BLACKHAVEN BRIDES SERIES - ALSO IN KINDLE UNLIMITED! ***** At eight-and-twenty, Lady Arabella Niven is gentle, sickly, and firmly on the shelf. Having disobliged her father by refusing her last chance of marriage, she has been sent in disgrace to Blackhaven with two domineering aunts. Her one wish is to be left alone in a quiet cottage to write books on history. However, everything changes when she tries to rescue a naked man apparently drowning at sea. Thus begins an odd, fun friendship that quickly becomes passionate. For Captain Alban, the hero with a shady past, is rebellious and unconventional by nature. Marriage between such a man and a duke’s daughter is inconceivable, and yet Alban’s feelings for her drive him to face his past in order to create a new future that would be unendurable without her. Oppressive family, neglected children, fortune hunters, past loves, and old crimes all contrive to keep the pair apart. But when danger threatens Alban, it is the duke’s gentle daughter who rides to his rescue. less

Welcome to Book 4 in the bestselling BLACKHAVEN BRIDES series! Notorious young rakehell, Lord Daxton, wakes up in Blackhaven with a monumental hangover – and a wife. Willa Blake, his old childhood friend and poor relation of his sworn enemy, has her own reasons for eloping with him to Gretna Green – not least the fact that she’s been in love with him since she was fourteen years old... moreWelcome to Book 4 in the bestselling BLACKHAVEN BRIDES series! Notorious young rakehell, Lord Daxton, wakes up in Blackhaven with a monumental hangover – and a wife. Willa Blake, his old childhood friend and poor relation of his sworn enemy, has her own reasons for eloping with him to Gretna Green – not least the fact that she’s been in love with him since she was fourteen years old. Now they both have to face the consequences of their hasty marriage, which include not only scandal but attempted murder, accusations of theft and several duels, not to mention the fury of Daxton’s mistress and the determination of his mother to have the marriage annulled. Yet among all the chaos and unexpected fun of life with Daxton, Willa’s childish crush deepens into adult love. But will Dax, a man of impulse and passion, ever face up to his responsibilities, let alone return her love? less

Get Book Five in the exciting and sensual BLACKHAVEN BRIDES series! Or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! The lady meets her match - and he's hopelessly ineligible. Poverty stricken marquis, Lord Tamar, is regarded in Blackhaven as an amiable eccentric and a gifted painter, rather than as a wicked man. But Tamar has secrets that he dare not reveal to anyone, let alone to the delightful Lady Serena, the Earl of Braithwaite's sister, who suddenly lights up his world... moreGet Book Five in the exciting and sensual BLACKHAVEN BRIDES series! Or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited! The lady meets her match - and he's hopelessly ineligible. Poverty stricken marquis, Lord Tamar, is regarded in Blackhaven as an amiable eccentric and a gifted painter, rather than as a wicked man. But Tamar has secrets that he dare not reveal to anyone, let alone to the delightful Lady Serena, the Earl of Braithwaite's sister, who suddenly lights up his world. To Serena, fed up with London etiquette and sent home to her family castle in disgrace after her engagement is broken, the fascinating Tamar is a breath of fresh air. Accepting his help with the mystery of the strange barrels in the castle cellar, she is soon in the midst of danger involving smugglers and spies and a friend's broken heart. But it is her own heart which is in most danger, as she falls swiftly and desperately in love. And neither her family nor Tamar himself would ever countenance a marriage between them. Moreover, the marquis turns out to have committed a far more shocking crime than mere poverty. less

Read Book Six in the bestselling Blackhaven Brides series... a lonely governess, a mute pupil, and secrets abound in this captivating tale. Purchase the novel or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Can the governess teach a damaged hero? Caroline Grey is devastated when she is dismissed from her post as governess to the Earl of Braithwaite’s sisters... moreRead Book Six in the bestselling Blackhaven Brides series... a lonely governess, a mute pupil, and secrets abound in this captivating tale. Purchase the novel or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Can the governess teach a damaged hero? Caroline Grey is devastated when she is dismissed from her post as governess to the Earl of Braithwaite’s sisters. Finding temporary sanctuary at the eerie and neglected Haven Hall, she does not expect to enjoy the challenges presented by the house’s dark and forbidding tenant, Javan Benedict, or by her mute and needy pupil. However, she is quickly intrigued by the oddly charming family and drawn into the several mysteries surrounding them and the hall. What tragedy lurks in Benedict’s past, and why does his daughter choose not to speak? Who is trying to frighten them from the house? And most of all, what is the irresistible fascination of Caroline’s troubled employer, and how does she help him without losing her heart and her reputation? less

Can her enemy melt her cold heart? Lady Anna Gaunt comes to Blackhaven on a government commission - to free a French prisoner of war, thought to be Napoleon’s spymaster, Colonel Delon, and learn his secrets. But Anna has to find him first, for the enterprising prisoner has freed himself and clearly has an agenda of his own to be played out in Blackhaven. Louis, betrayed, vengeful, and yet stubbornly loyal, is an enigma... moreCan her enemy melt her cold heart? Lady Anna Gaunt comes to Blackhaven on a government commission - to free a French prisoner of war, thought to be Napoleon’s spymaster, Colonel Delon, and learn his secrets. But Anna has to find him first, for the enterprising prisoner has freed himself and clearly has an agenda of his own to be played out in Blackhaven. Louis, betrayed, vengeful, and yet stubbornly loyal, is an enigma. He seems more interested in Anna’s personal secrets than those of his own country, and their war of words and information quickly becomes one of seduction. But with the stakes so high, neither can afford to lose. Distractions such as highway robbery, elopement, and mysterious secret meetings can only unite them for a short time. For love is surely their common enemy, and any lasting relationship impossible.… The Blackhaven Brides series can be enjoyed in any order, but the chronological order is: The Wicked Baron The Wicked Lady The Wicked Rebel The Wicked Husband The Wicked Marquess The Wicked Governess The Wicked Spy less

An old Blackhaven tragedy merges with a new quarrel... When Gervaise, the Earl of Braithwaite, first sees beautiful gypsy Dawn, he is struck by her likeness to his political enemy, Julius Gardyn. In his cups, he grasps the opportunity for a little vengeance and sweeps her off to his ancestral castle. In the morning, he is frustrated in his attempts to make things right by Dawn herself, who refuses to return to her family... moreAn old Blackhaven tragedy merges with a new quarrel... When Gervaise, the Earl of Braithwaite, first sees beautiful gypsy Dawn, he is struck by her likeness to his political enemy, Julius Gardyn. In his cups, he grasps the opportunity for a little vengeance and sweeps her off to his ancestral castle. In the morning, he is frustrated in his attempts to make things right by Dawn herself, who refuses to return to her family. Dawn, dazzled by the handsome earl, has several reasons for staying with him. Pretending to be Eleanor Gardyn, lost heiress to Haven Hall, begins as a fun means to upset the earl’s enemy, but when memories begin to tug at her, everything becomes much more serious. As she falls heavily in love with Gervaise, she starts to believe that happiness might be possible. Until the earl’s prospective bride arrives at the castle. However, many people, including Julius, fail to see the steel beneath Gervaise’s good nature. Few have noticed that he always gets what he wants in the end. And he wants Dawn. The Blackhaven Brides books are a series, but can be read as stand alones: The Wicked Baron The Wicked Lady The Wicked Rebel The Wicked Husband The Wicked Marquis The Wicked Governess The Wicked Spy The Wicked Gypsy less

Can a wife hide behind a mask? Lady Frances married her Scottish earl for love. Now one year and one child later, she feels bored, trapped and lonely, convinced Lord Torridon only married her for convenience. When she can stand it no longer, she flees his stately Highland home for the Edinburgh town house of her most scandalous friend, widow Ariadne Marshall... moreCan a wife hide behind a mask? Lady Frances married her Scottish earl for love. Now one year and one child later, she feels bored, trapped and lonely, convinced Lord Torridon only married her for convenience. When she can stand it no longer, she flees his stately Highland home for the Edinburgh town house of her most scandalous friend, widow Ariadne Marshall. Unfortunately, she has also brought the Torridon rubies, which she stakes in an outrageous wager with Ariadne - that their own families will not recognize them at a masked ball. In no time, they are off to Blackhaven, and the infamous masked ball at Frances’s old home. Little does Frances know that her furious husband is on her trail... and that she is not the only one in disguise. Among all the masks, misunderstandings, and general Blackhaven mayhem, can Frances and Torridon find a way back to each other before it’s too late? The Blackhaven Brides books are a series, but can be read as stand alones: The Wicked Baron The Wicked Lady The Wicked Rebel The Wicked Husband The Wicked Marquis The Wicked Governess The Wicked Spy The Wicked Gypsy The Wicked Wife less

Mystery, murder and the miracle of new love – it’s Christmas in Blackhaven! Widower Nicholas Lampton, Blackhaven’s dour and sharp-tongued doctor, is oblivious to the Christmas season. Not best pleased to be called out late at night for nothing more than a child’s tantrum, he is nevertheless curiously drawn to the child’s beautiful mother, the visiting Princess Elizabeth of Rheinwald... moreMystery, murder and the miracle of new love – it’s Christmas in Blackhaven! Widower Nicholas Lampton, Blackhaven’s dour and sharp-tongued doctor, is oblivious to the Christmas season. Not best pleased to be called out late at night for nothing more than a child’s tantrum, he is nevertheless curiously drawn to the child’s beautiful mother, the visiting Princess Elizabeth of Rheinwald. Elizabeth is more than a match for his acerbic wit, but when another woman claiming to be the princess is discovered murdered in a nearby town, he wonders if Elizabeth is not who she seems, and determines to discover her secrets. During a magical Christmas, Blackhaven welcomes a new birth and catches a murderer – and Dr. Lampton encounters the wonder and pain of an impossible new love. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited! less

Welcome to Blackhaven, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society STILL turns local life upside down! Book 11 "The Wicked Waif" in the Blackhaven Brides Series is now available. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited! Where there is love, there is life… When Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she is injured, traumatized, and remembers nothing of her previous life, not even her real name... moreWelcome to Blackhaven, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society STILL turns local life upside down! Book 11 "The Wicked Waif" in the Blackhaven Brides Series is now available. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited! Where there is love, there is life… When Tillie is pulled from the stormy sea off the coast of Blackhaven, she is injured, traumatized, and remembers nothing of her previous life, not even her real name. In a frightening, unknown world she clings only to her rescuer, Major Dominic Doverton. Dove is the quiet man of Blackhaven. Outside his regiment, no one knows of his heroism or its tragic consequences. He is at peace with his fate. Only Tillie, with her innate kindness, curiosity, and mischief breaks through his aloofness to his secret. However, the mystery of her identity seems to be mixed up with a conspiracy to free Bonaparte from Elba and finding Tillie’s family only unleashes more danger – and threatens to separate her forever from the man she loves. Dove will take on the world to protect her, but does he have the will to fight again for his own fate? Blackhaven Brides Series Book 1 - The Wicked Baron Book 2 - The Wicked Lady Book 3 - The Wicked Rebel Book 4 - The Wicked Husband Book 5 - The Wicked Marquis Book 6 - The Wicked Governess Book 7 - The Wicked Spy Book 8 - The Wicked Gypsy Book 9 - The Wicked Wife Book 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella) Book 11 - The Wicked Waif Book 12 - The Wicked Heir Book 13 - The Wicked Captain Book 14 - The Wicked Sister less

A dreadful poem inspires a treasure hunt and wicked temptation… When a lame young officer presents widow Eve Cramond with an atrocious love poem penned by her late husband, she knows John is trying to tell her something from beyond the grave—namely, the location of valuable jewels stolen from his mother... moreA dreadful poem inspires a treasure hunt and wicked temptation… When a lame young officer presents widow Eve Cramond with an atrocious love poem penned by her late husband, she knows John is trying to tell her something from beyond the grave—namely, the location of valuable jewels stolen from his mother. With the help of Captain Lawrence, she tries to decipher his meaning and discover the treasure that could save her children from penury and release her from the unwelcome duty of begging financial help from her husband's cousin, the Earl of Braithwaite. But, of course, life isn't so simple. Lawrence proves to be a dangerous distraction in his own right, and for the first time ever, Eve contemplates taking a lover… Still recovering from a serious war injury, the easy going and reckless Lawrence is in Blackhaven for a reunion with his old friends. He anticipates a great deal of long-missed carousing, though he does not expect to play the highwayman or to fall in love with his late colonel's lady. Worse, Bonaparte is back in Paris, and the allies are massing to defeat him once and for all. Lawrence refuses to let his injury stand in the way of fighting in this last battle, but there are other obstacles, including prison—and Eve, whom he can—t bear to leave. less

The debutante meets the radical… The 14th and final book in the Blackhaven Brides series is now available! Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Lady Maria returns to Braithwaite Castle from her first London season with a scandal about to break over her head. A sweet-natured girl, she loathes confrontation and is dreading the scolding from her mother and brother. But help comes from an unexpected source – Lord Braithwaite’s new secretary, Michael Hanson... moreThe debutante meets the radical… The 14th and final book in the Blackhaven Brides series is now available! Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! Lady Maria returns to Braithwaite Castle from her first London season with a scandal about to break over her head. A sweet-natured girl, she loathes confrontation and is dreading the scolding from her mother and brother. But help comes from an unexpected source – Lord Braithwaite’s new secretary, Michael Hanson. Michael is poor, clever, ambitious - and a political radical. Engaged to be married to a lady who actively shares his views, he never imagines he could fall for his employer’s lovely, if rather haunted, sister. But there is more than frivolity to Maria, and he is quickly drawn to her humor and compassion, and to the troubles her good-nature keeps heaping upon her. When her first love pops back into her life to blackmail her over her indiscretion a year ago, it is Michael she turns to for help. But Michael, too, has his problems as he is under suspicion for publishing seditious pamphlets that could affect Britain’s last battle with Napoleon Bonaparte. As the European stage is set for Waterloo, Michael and Maria work together to find the conspirators before it is too late. In the process, they fall in love, but honor as well as their difference in rank, might keep them apart… Blackhaven Brides Book 1 - The Wicked Baron Book 2 - The Wicked Lady Book 3 - The Wicked Rebel Book 4 - The Wicked Husband Book 5 - The Wicked Marquis Book 6 - The Wicked Governess Book 7 - The Wicked Spy Book 8 - The Wicked Gypsy Book 9 - The Wicked Wife Book 10 - Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella) Book 11 - The Wicked Waif Book 12 - The Wicked Heir Book 13 - The Wicked Captain Book 14 - The Wicked Sister less