Kirjahaku

Waiting at the London posting station for a friend, young Simon Westrick, Earl of Brandell, was annoyed by a strident female voice that cut through his thoughts. The awful woman appeared flustered that her brother was missing and was verbally abusing a lovely young girl dressed in worn clothes who stood before her. Simon moved closer as the woman pushed the girl onto a bench with a warning and went in search of her brother.Left alone, the girl stood and up from between the two large women who were glaring at her and walked toward Simon. Simon saw the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen in his life and they were awash with tears.The girl's silent plea reached him as few things had ever touched him before in his young life. Simon bought a posy from a vendor who went by and then handed to the girl. And just as Simon asked Lydia for her aunt's name, so that he could help her, the woman in charge of her came back, her large brother in tow. She scolded Lydia for talking with Simon, grabbed one of the girl's hands and then pinched it.And when Simon protested, the woman and her brother each grabbed one of the girl's arms and then ran with her, in what Simon realized was a practiced run.And no matter how hard Simon searched for them in the crowded yard, they disappeared into the fog and he was unable to find them.And so began Simon's search for Lydia, for he could not ever forget the plea in her beautiful eyes, no matter how many years

Society shuns Belinda Presleigh when her mother's scheme results in a forced offer of marriage from the Earl of Berrington, the man Belinda loves in secret.In the silence of St. George's Cathedral, the clergyman's voice rang out unnaturally loud: "Do you, Richard Branston, Earl of Berrington, take this woman, Belinda Presleigh, of Hunsley Manor, as your lawful wedded wife, to love and honor until death do you part?"The few wedding guests crowding around them waited for Berrington's response, which was long in coming. Belinda saw their smirks and heard their muffled laughter.She felt the sting of tears in her eyes at the long pause and realized she could not undo what she had done. The awful deed had come to roost in her heart.She wished he would say no. She'd rather be jilted than that awful hesitation in which everyone looked at each other, some with smirks of "I told you so." Finally, Lord Berrington's voice rang out-loud, impatient and clear: "I do."After the awful wedding breakfast, Belinda endured the silence inside the elegant carriage as she and her husband, the Earl of Berrington, traveled on their three-day journey to his county seat, Winterhill.Belinda wished she were dead like her sister Roselle, rather than live a life that promised to be a basket of thorns...

Veronica Glendalion thinks that she has only one chance in a thousand that the Earl of Westal will agree to her proposal.But as her aunt assures her, one chance in a thousand is better than the terrible fate that awaits her.The evil Earl of Callincant has vowed Veronica will be his bride, by force if she will not comply. And as he controls Veronica's father by providing for her father's addictions, time is running out for her. Once the earl forces Veronica into marriage and takes her to his country estate, she will be his prisoner and she will never again be allowed to see her dear aunt and cousin. From that day forth, her life will be a misery of pain and despair.She may have gained a few days while the earl and her father are away at the earl's estate in Sheffield, dealing with an emergency, but when they come back, Veronica's time will be up.Unless by a miracle the Earl of Westal, whom she knew as a child, will agree to her proposal...At the masquerade ball.