Strangers Series by Mary Kingswood

A new parson sets hearts a-flutter when he arrives in the small Shropshire village of Great Maeswood.Cass Saxby's heart flutters, too, but at twenty-six, with no fortune and a limp from a childhood illness, she has no chance of attracting the attention of handsome Theodore Truman. But a devastating event pushes the thought of romance from her mind—her father, Lord Saxby, is killed in a tragic accident and with no known heir, the family is plunged into disarray... moreA new parson sets hearts a-flutter when he arrives in the small Shropshire village of Great Maeswood.Cass Saxby's heart flutters, too, but at twenty-six, with no fortune and a limp from a childhood illness, she has no chance of attracting the attention of handsome Theodore Truman. But a devastating event pushes the thought of romance from her mind—her father, Lord Saxby, is killed in a tragic accident and with no known heir, the family is plunged into disarray. In the midst of her grief, Cass finds consolation from a surprising source. Will tragedy bring her a fairy-tale ending?Available to subscribers of the author's newsletter less

A widow moves into the long disused Dower House and makes a horrible discovery in the wine cellar.Thirty-year-old widow Louisa Middlehope is determined to escape from her late husband’s family and live life for herself for the first time. The tiny village of Great Maeswood offers her the peace and quiet her heart craves, and perhaps it might provide a little entertainment, too... moreA widow moves into the long disused Dower House and makes a horrible discovery in the wine cellar.Thirty-year-old widow Louisa Middlehope is determined to escape from her late husband’s family and live life for herself for the first time. The tiny village of Great Maeswood offers her the peace and quiet her heart craves, and perhaps it might provide a little entertainment, too. But the house she has leased has been empty for a quarter of a century and who knows what secrets it holds?Laurence Gage is still mourning his beloved wife, while raising his two children, and at forty, declining gently into a rather dull middle age. Until, that is, the intriguing Mrs Middlehope arrives in the village and upends his placid life. She’s nothing at all like his perfect wife, but he’s oddly drawn to her anyway and to his surprise, she seems to like him too. Whoever would have thought it? But what exactly is she looking for? Friendship, marriage — or something else entirely?This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 1 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less

An estranged brother is forced to return to his home and face up to his past.Malcolm Gage walked out of his brother’s life sixteen years ago when they both wanted to marry the same woman. Malcolm lost that battle, and he’s never forgiven his brother for it, preferring to live in poverty as a schoolmaster rather than swallow his pride and go home. But now an unusual condition in a will pushes him back into the family fold... moreAn estranged brother is forced to return to his home and face up to his past.Malcolm Gage walked out of his brother’s life sixteen years ago when they both wanted to marry the same woman. Malcolm lost that battle, and he’s never forgiven his brother for it, preferring to live in poverty as a schoolmaster rather than swallow his pride and go home. But now an unusual condition in a will pushes him back into the family fold. If he can teach his nephew well enough to admit him to the Society of Gentleman Linguists, he will inherit a fortune and will never be poor again. The only catch — he has to stay under his brother’s roof for three months.But there’s an unexpected benefit to his return to Great Maeswood, in the delightful shape of Marie Fournier, a French lady’s maid. She speaks no English, and no one else in the village has bothered to get to know her. But Malcolm sees in her a kindred spirit, another outsider, and recruits her to help him with his teaching. As he gets to know her better, however, he begins to wonder if she’s all she seems to be…This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 2 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less

The dashing soldier, the earl’s niece and the secret admirer…Lucinda Willerton-Forbes is quite content to be the useful unmarried niece, so busy organising everyone else that she gives no thought to herself. As for marriage, she isn’t much bothered because she hasn’t yet met a man who won’t bore her to death within a month. But during a big family celebration, someone manages to enter her locked room every night to leave anonymous love tokens on her pillow... moreThe dashing soldier, the earl’s niece and the secret admirer…Lucinda Willerton-Forbes is quite content to be the useful unmarried niece, so busy organising everyone else that she gives no thought to herself. As for marriage, she isn’t much bothered because she hasn’t yet met a man who won’t bore her to death within a month. But during a big family celebration, someone manages to enter her locked room every night to leave anonymous love tokens on her pillow. That’s not boring at all, but whoever can it be?Captain Michael Edgerton isn’t looking for a wife, and Lucinda is above his touch anyway, no matter how beautiful and desirable she is. Besides, she has other, more serious suitors, far more worthy of her. But the more he gets to know her, the more he is drawn into her life and can’t bear to see her throw herself away on someone who only wants to take advantage of her. Protecting damsels in distress will get him into trouble one day.This is a complete story with a happy ever after. A stand-alone traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. The ebook of this story is available free of charge to Mary Kingswood mailing list subscribers. less

A new physician arrives in the village, but is he all he seems?Susannah Winslade is twenty-six, and drifting into perpetual spinsterhood as she tries to care for her sick stepmother, look after her young brothers and sisters, and keep her father sober and solvent. Her brother Henry isn’t much help, either. She doesn’t mind. Once upon a time, she met the perfect man and until someone like him comes into her life, she’s happy at home, with her wildflower painting for solace... moreA new physician arrives in the village, but is he all he seems?Susannah Winslade is twenty-six, and drifting into perpetual spinsterhood as she tries to care for her sick stepmother, look after her young brothers and sisters, and keep her father sober and solvent. Her brother Henry isn’t much help, either. She doesn’t mind. Once upon a time, she met the perfect man and until someone like him comes into her life, she’s happy at home, with her wildflower painting for solace.Samuel Broughton has come to Great Maeswood to make a new start as a country physician. It’s a small practice, but at least it’s steady work and everyone is friendly. Finally he’s reached a safe harbour where he can look about him for a wife. At last he has a future! But there’s something very strange going on at his surgery, and then, just when his hopes of a family of his own might be fulfilled, the unthinkable happens. Is there no escaping the past?This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 3 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less

A destitute man comes looking for help from his cousin, and uncovers some mysteries.Phyllida Beasley is forty years old, a mousy spinster who devotes her life to caring for her brother, and doing good works in the parish. She’s in a rut, but too timid to set herself free from her domineering friends and her own sense of duty. When a newcomer to the village draws her into his schemes, he challenges her to take a new direction... moreA destitute man comes looking for help from his cousin, and uncovers some mysteries.Phyllida Beasley is forty years old, a mousy spinster who devotes her life to caring for her brother, and doing good works in the parish. She’s in a rut, but too timid to set herself free from her domineering friends and her own sense of duty. When a newcomer to the village draws her into his schemes, he challenges her to take a new direction. Can she summon the courage to step out of the shadows, when it means facing up to her terrible secret?Peter Winslade’s career as a banker is over, after his bank failed and left him destitute. He’s forced to throw himself on the mercy of his cousin, the Squire, repaying his kindness by unravelling his tangled accounts. His helper is just the sort of woman he could easily fall in love with—can he persuade her to break away and embark on a great adventure? It could be the making of her, but it could also destroy her utterly. How can he protect her from her own past?This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 4 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less

An out-of-work governess tries to start a school in the village.Deborah Hollingsworth, grand-daughter of a baron, has come down in the world, reduced to acting as unpaid governess for her relations. When even that option closes, what is she to do? She has a secret plan, but until she can achieve her heart’s desire, she’ll start a modest village school to make ends meet, and bring a little happiness to the local children... moreAn out-of-work governess tries to start a school in the village.Deborah Hollingsworth, grand-daughter of a baron, has come down in the world, reduced to acting as unpaid governess for her relations. When even that option closes, what is she to do? She has a secret plan, but until she can achieve her heart’s desire, she’ll start a modest village school to make ends meet, and bring a little happiness to the local children. What she doesn’t expect is to find a lonely young man even more in need of a little happiness.David Exton is a widower, still mourning the death of his wife. He lives a twilight existence, barely leaving his home on the outskirts of the village. The villagers have long learnt that he wants to be left alone, but Deborah is not a woman to take no for an answer. He’s just the man to fulfil all her ambitions, so she begins a campaign to draw the recluse back into the sunlight. But sometimes the sunshine reveals secrets best left buried. This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 5 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less

The newly discovered heir to the barony arrives to claim his inheritance.Cameron Saxby is contented in his life as a bank clerk in Edinburgh, knowing that if he works hard, he has a good career in front of him. But fate has a different plan for him - as heir to the late Lord Saxby... moreThe newly discovered heir to the barony arrives to claim his inheritance.Cameron Saxby is contented in his life as a bank clerk in Edinburgh, knowing that if he works hard, he has a good career in front of him. But fate has a different plan for him - as heir to the late Lord Saxby. Inheriting the title drags Cameron away from his unassuming Scottish roots and drops him into the wealthy estate of Maeswood Hall, surrounded by deferential villagers and the resentful family of the late baron, a man who left such a trail of misery in his wake that someone murdered him.Cass Saxby’s life is already settled - she’s betrothed to the village clergyman, who talks charmingly of love and seems uninterested in her vast dowry. But the arrival of the new baron upends her quiet existence in a multitude of ways, and forces her to make life-changing decisions, while revelations from the past may put her very life in danger. Cass and Cameron must unearth the secrets of the late baron’s life and fast, or one of them may become the murderer’s next victim.This is a complete story with a happy ever after. Book 6 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom. less