gail whitiker

A young woman disappears. A husband is suspected of murder. Stirring times for all the neighbourhood. The Steepwood Scandal.

When Desiree Nash was propositioned by a handsome viscount, she was outraged. Sebastian Moore might be irresistible and intriguing, but no respectable lady would agree to such an offer! A year later, impossible circumstances forced Desiree to take him up on his scandalous proposition.

However, Sebastian surprised everyone when he arranged for Desiree to have a chaperone with her. But when schemers disrupted their romance, Sebastian had to truly fight for Desiree and make an offer of the most permanent kind!

What has she to hide?

The mysterious heavily–veiled woman Edward Thurlow, Lord Garthdale, meets on his early–morning rides in Hyde Park intrigues and then utterly charms him. What dark secret could possibly force her to hide away from society in such a fashion?

An eligible catch, Edward has eluded the marital net until now. So why, just when he's resigned himself to finding a wife, should this most unsuitable woman keep invading his thoughts?

An Unexpected Love

Viscount Robert Winthrop returns home to his family manor and discovers that his estranged sister, Hannah, is nothing but a foundling left on their doorstep years ago. He wants to toss her out, but is attracted to the spirited beauty Hannah has become in his absence.

Hannah doesn't know what to make of her feelings for the man she once called brother. She issues Robert an ultimatum he must unravel the mystery of her true parentage before she'll agree to marry him. Can he uncover her scandalous secret before it's too late?

A Lady's Deception

When the Earl of Carlyle suddenly decides to leave London to become better acquainted with the young daughter he barely knows, Miss Antonia Hadley's plans go awry. Believing the man abandoned his daughter, Antonia has no compunction about persuading the earl's servants to help her deceive him. Determined to help little Clara overcome her fear of horses, Antonia teaches her to ride, under the guise of a Mr. Anthony Davlin. Soon the earl notices something just a bit odd about his daughter's riding instructor. Can Antonia keep her secret, or will Carlyle expose her innocent deceit?

Duty isn't all that drives him

David, Marquis of Blackwood, needs an heir, but his requirements in a wife are precise. Lady Nicola Wyndham appears to fit the bill she's older, likes country living, has managed her father's household for some time and nothing detrimental is known about her.

But when he coolly proposes, Nicola's brief look of hurt prompts him to a sudden show of warmth. It gives Nicola hope that they might have a good marriage and she accepts. But she has a secret which he is bound to find out and which goes against every idea David has of his future wife .

WHAT WILL SHE RISK FOR LOVE?

Lady Annabelle Durst may be beautiful, but at four-and-twenty she's firmly – and contentedly! – on the shelf. She's learnt there's nothing more important than protecting her heart against the perils of love. Then Anna's family is embroiled in the scandal of the season, with only Sir Barrington Parker to turn to.

He has a reputation for exposing society's most disreputable secrets, and to save her family's honour oh, so sensible Anna will do anything – even risk her reputation – to persuade this dangerous man to help…

From the fields of France...

Miss Sophie Vallois' looks and grace make her an instant hit with London Society. No one would know that the French beauty is a mere farmer's daughter, with no interest in marriage whatsoever

To the drawing rooms of London!

Except Robert Silverton, who has other reasons for staying away from Sophie. Yet her spirit and compassion intrigue him... . Rather than keeping her at arm's length, Robert soon wants the delectable Miss Vallois well and truly in his arms!

A HIGHLY UNSUITABLE MATCH

When Alexander, Viscount Stewart, arrives on Emma Darling's doorstep, protesting his brother's engagement to her younger sister, she's furious! Emma cares not a jot that Alex is the heir to an earldom and she's a society unknown – how dares this high-handed gentleman meddle in her family's private affairs?

Buoyed up by anger, the last thing independent Emma needs is the realisation that she's developed an extremely inappropriate tendre for Alex himself. For if their younger siblings' match is considered unsuitable, a relationship between them is well nigh unthinkable…

CAN SHE EVER PEN HER OWN LOVE STORY?

Meeting Alistair Devlin, London's most eligible bachelor, causes Victoria Bretton no end of problems. Masking her attraction is even more difficult than concealing her alter ego – playwright Valentine Lawe – not to mention the fact that this man's unsettling gaze is causing her the most terrible writer's block!

Alistair's not in the market for love…although he can't help but be beguiled by Victoria and intrigued by the secrets she's hiding. As they grow closer the lines between fact and fiction become blurred. Can she be the heroine of her very own happy ending?

I AM NOT AN ANGEL…ONLY A
FALLEN WOMAN FORCED TO
TURN TO THE STAGE'
In the eyes of society famous actress Catherine Jones is the virginal Angel of London. Her spotless reputation is essential if she's ever to get her son back from his overbearing grandparents. But her secret desire for the dashing Lord Valbourg could threaten to destroy everything she's worked so hard for…
The moment he heard Catherine sing Valbourg was intoxicated. But he is guardian to his newly orphaned nephew, so a dalliance with an actress is out of the question. With so much at risk, can these two burdened hearts find happiness with each other…?

FROM RESERVED GENTLEMAN TO SOCIETY'S DARLING

Laurence Bretton has been the talk of the Ton since the shock announcement that he is the celebrated playwright Valentine Lawe. Keeping up the charade for his sisters' sake isn't a problem – that is until he lays eyes on Lady Joanna Northrup…

Since her father inherited his title Joanna is no longer free to marry for love. Now she must choose a wealthy, titled husband – and soon! Regretfully, this doesn't include the dashing Laurence – and certainly not his flamboyant alter ego. But the twinkle in his eyes tells her there's so much more to this man. If only he can pen a happy ending for them both...

Improper Miss Darling by Gail Whitiker

When Alexander, Viscount Stewart, arrives on Emma Darling's doorstep, protesting his brother's engagement to her younger sister, she's furious! Emma does not care that Alex is the heir to an earldom and she's a society unknown –– how dare he meddle in her family's private affairs!

Buoyed up by anger, the last thing independent Emma needs is the realisation that she has developed an extremely inappropriate attraction for Alex himself. For if their younger siblings' match is considered unsuitable, a relationship between them is well nigh unthinkable…

A Most Unladylike Adventure by Elizabeth Beacon

Lady Louisa Alstone, Ice Diamond of the Ton, has turned down numerous proposals from the best in society. Seeking refuge in her brother's house, she's shocked to find the scandalous Captain Darke already in residence. A man who certainly doesn't need the temptation of a woman he presumes to be his friend's mistress!

The misunderstanding could be Louisa's chance to cast off the strict dictates of her life as a Lady. And if she's already living in secret with the devilishly handsome Captain, what good is there in preserving an already compromised reputation?

A young woman disappears. A husband is suspected of murder. Stirring times for all the neighbourhood. The Steepwood Scandal.

In an effort to save his young stepsister from a fortune hunter's grasp, Oliver Brandon places her in a genteel ladies' academy. His shock is considerable when he realises that one of the respectable schoolmistresses is a woman he last saw at a house party – in a highly compromising situation!

It's obvious to Helen de Coverdale that Oliver Brandon has serious misgivings about handing his ward into her charge. But will he listen if she tries to tell him her side of the story...?