The Impossible Balfours Series by Gemma Blackwood

Headstrong Miss Daisy Morton must make a choice: play the fiancée to a duke she doesn’t love, or face ruin. Daisy’s loyalty to her friends is always getting her into awkward places. Unfortunately, those places include the bedroom of the stern young Duke of Loxwell, where she is caught hiding by one of society’s most notorious gossips. For mysterious reasons of his own, the duke saves her reputation with a false engagement. There’s only one rule: she can't fall in love with him... moreHeadstrong Miss Daisy Morton must make a choice: play the fiancée to a duke she doesn’t love, or face ruin. Daisy’s loyalty to her friends is always getting her into awkward places. Unfortunately, those places include the bedroom of the stern young Duke of Loxwell, where she is caught hiding by one of society’s most notorious gossips. For mysterious reasons of his own, the duke saves her reputation with a false engagement. There’s only one rule: she can't fall in love with him. Simple enough. What are the chances that the true love Daisy has always dreamed of should turn out to be the strict, strait-laced, surprisingly tender duke with a devastating smile reserved especially for her? Alexander Balfour, the new Duke of Loxwell, lives for honour and duty. The dukedom weighs as heavily on his shoulders as the responsibility of setting an example for his four unruly sisters. And that honour has sealed his fate forever. A fatal mistake in his past means he cannot fall in love without betraying those he holds dearest. Even if Daisy turns his world upside down in a hundred different ways, she cannot save him from his lonely penance. Or can she? less

A bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk. Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she’d have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London’s most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert... moreA bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk. Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she’d have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London’s most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert. Something is amiss, and Lady X will be the first to expose the scandal. The last thing she needs is a third earl’s attention distracting her from her task. Even if he happens to be the charming, handsome and mysterious Lord Streatham… George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham, cannot afford any distractions from his secret mission for the Crown. His work as a spy is dark, dangerous, and leaves no room for romance. But when he meets the alluringly outspoken Anthea, their magnetic connection overturns all his plans. George soon finds himself locked in a deadly game between three powerful lords. The winner will take Anthea’s hand – but only George can offer her the passion she deserves. Fortunately, he is accustomed to winning. At any cost. Now, if only he could discover the identity of that pesky Lady X who’s been slandering his name in the papers… This is the second book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series. less

Lady Selina Balfour would make the perfect duchess. But the Duke of Caversham is far from her idea of the perfect husband.Malcolm Locke is everything Selina hates about powerful men – reckless, arrogant, and all too aware of his own chiselled jaw. Which makes it all the more important that Selina’s candidate beats his in the upcoming election. Someone needs to teach the duke to behave.The first lesson? Kissing a woman until her knees go weak isn’t enough to make her give up her ideals... moreLady Selina Balfour would make the perfect duchess. But the Duke of Caversham is far from her idea of the perfect husband.Malcolm Locke is everything Selina hates about powerful men – reckless, arrogant, and all too aware of his own chiselled jaw. Which makes it all the more important that Selina’s candidate beats his in the upcoming election. Someone needs to teach the duke to behave.The first lesson? Kissing a woman until her knees go weak isn’t enough to make her give up her ideals.Everyone knows that Malcolm is in dire need of a respectable duchess, an heir, and an end to his rivalry with Selina. But why is he so determined to pursue the one woman who’ll never have him?Selina’s not sure she wants to know the answer. Her wounded heart is more than she can risk. But she’ll happily take on the duke in the political arena, if a war is what he wants.There’s only one possible outcome. Defeat for one. Victory for the other.Unless there’s a sweet surrender in store for them both…This is the fourth book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series. less

Lady Isobel Balfour desperately needs a make-believe suitor. Luckily, her best friend's brother is charming, eligible, and ready for anything... As long as she doesn't uncover his secrets.It’s no small task to juggle an illicit career, a troublesome maiden aunt, and a plot for wreaking vengeance on the man who broke her heart, but Lady Isobel Balfour has found the perfect partner in crime: Mr Lucius Whitby, the elder brother of her dearest friend... moreLady Isobel Balfour desperately needs a make-believe suitor. Luckily, her best friend's brother is charming, eligible, and ready for anything... As long as she doesn't uncover his secrets.It’s no small task to juggle an illicit career, a troublesome maiden aunt, and a plot for wreaking vengeance on the man who broke her heart, but Lady Isobel Balfour has found the perfect partner in crime: Mr Lucius Whitby, the elder brother of her dearest friend.Lucius is exactly the sort of gentleman that girls like Isobel are supposed to fall in love with: wealthy and flirtatious, with a devilish grin and eyes like a storm-tossed sky. In other words, he'll make Isobel’s lost love weep tears of jealousy. Behold, the perfect revenge!As for Lucius's own motives for pretending to woo an heiress? He's made it clear Isobel is not to ask. And clearer still that their imaginary romance will not, under any circumstances, become real.So if his touch makes her tremble - if their secret meetings fill her heart with music - if she aches with longing for one more kiss, that’s a small price to pay for her revenge. Isn’t it?Because they’re not really in love. Of course they’re not.True love at a time like this would ruin everything. less