FOLLOW ME
The Tenacious Trents
COMPROMISED FOR CHRISTMAS
Compromise for Christmas, a novella, first appeared in anthology, A Summons from His Grace. It later appeared in a compilation, Scots, Spies & Salacious Lies. It is the first of the Tenacious Trents.
Lady Elizabeth craved excitement and adventure. Unwilling to endure further boring Seasons, she convinces her uncle, who has lived a more adventurous life than anyone else she knew, to let her work for him. A few years later Elizabeth was established in Tuileries Castle, a servant in Napoleon’s court known as Lisette Renard.
John Phillip Trent has been working in the stables of Tuileries as Jean Pierre Bouvier for the past two years. His only English contact being Lisette Renard, a lovely blond lass, who he desired but kept at a professional arm’s length.
When Lisette receives a summons to return home for Christmas, John learns that she is none other than the granddaughter of the Duke of Danby and she had named Jean Pierre as her husband. Their cover is compromised with the same letter and the two find themselves escaping the palace and France, knowing they could very well never see each other again and must face the truth of how they truly feel for the other.
A MISGUIDED LORD
It is time for Clayton Trent, Earl of Bentley, to take a bride. He knows exactly what he needs and the type of lady who should become his Countess. His life is orderly, scandal free and exactly the way it should be until Miss Eleanor Westin careens into him, upsetting the perfect balance of his world. She is everything his father said he should not marry. Yet, he cannot put her from his mind, not even when a decade old scandal threatens the very foundation of his family.
Miss Eleanor Westin has spent her life in the country on the brink of poverty and raising her siblings after the death of her parents until her grandfather finally decides to do his duty and brings her to London. Eleanor simply wants to find a gentleman who is willing to take on her family in the bargain. Love is not even a consideration if she can land security. Unfortunately, the only gentleman who has made any offer is Lord Bentley, and he will never do. If only he would stay out of her dreams so she could forget him and his intoxicating kisses.
A PERFECT GENTLEMAN
Matthew Trent always knew what was expected of him and that was to become the Perfect Vicar and a Perfect Gentlemen. When Grace Cooper enters his life he is forced to face what he really wishes to become.
Grace Cooper has three options for marriage available to her in the small village where she resides. However, Grace would rather be placed on the shelf than enter into a miserable union.
When someone threatens her father and then makes an attempt on her life, it is Vicar Trent who vows to protect her and brings scandal to her doorstep, upsetting the delicate balance of both of their worlds.
A LASS FOR CHRISTMAS
Lady Madeline Trent had grand plans for her future until she learned her family’s awful secret. When a fall through an icy lake lands her in the arms of a handsome Scot, her future is more unsure than ever.
Lachlan Grant, the Marquess of Brachton, may hold an English title, but he's a Scot through and through. He's bound and determined to marry a lass just as Scottish as he is, at least until his fate is altered one snowy night.
A Lass for Christmas is a novella of approximately 27,000 words and the fourth story in the Tenacious Trents series.
A RELUCTANT RAKE
Mr. Jordan Trent, the spare, was raised to be a rake. Not only did his father encourage his roguish life, but insisted that Jordan do nothing except enjoy the life of women, gambling and fine brandy – the life his father had wanted. It is a life Jordan enjoyed until he realized something, or someone, very important was missing.
Miss Audrey Montgomery had been warned to avoid rakes like Jordan Trent but fell under his spell like so many ladies before her. She should have known better and vows to protect her heart whenever he is near. If only his kisses weren’t so delicious it would be so much easier.
LADY REVEALED
Juliette Mirabelle knew one life and it was one as a ballerina.
The moment Drake Finton, Viscount Acker, saw the ballerina take the stage in Milan he knew he must have her. Yet, Juliette would not be his and when she disappeared he returned to his life in London. Now she was here and Drake intended to make her his.
All Juliette wishes to do is dance, but will the secrets of her past destroy her dreams?
Lady Disguised
Mr. Sebastian Stanwick never intended to marry. It was bad enough that his father gambled away everything they owned and then drank himself to death, leaving his mother broken until she could not go on. But the death of his good friend at the hand of the man’s wife only solidifies Stanwick’s decision to remain a bachelor. Women were simply unpredictable and unstable if not taken care of properly.
Hélène Mirabelle wants few things in life. One, is to perform on the stage, and the other, is to be out from under the roof of her overbearing new family: Lord Bentley and the Trent brothers. Since her mother’s recent passing, Hélène's desire to return to Milan and the stage has only grown. A husband could never fit into the plans because no decent man would take an actress as a wife.
One fateful night leaves Hélène questioning if being an actress is the only thing she wants, while Stanwick begins to wonder whether all women are truly prone to madness and if they are, he may never get Hélène off of his mind.
Lady Disguised, a novella, first appeared in anthology, A Pact Between Gentlemen, released November, 2013
LADY CONCEALED
All Genviève Mirabelle wanted was her mother’s belongings and a place for herself, out from under the watchful eyes of her step-brothers. The Trent Brothers, specifically. Since coming into her life they have had very definite plans for her future, despite her objections. There is only one thing keeping her from seeking her freedom: her mother’s missing shipment. Once found, she can live as she wishes, without a gentleman telling her what to do.Mr. Jonathan Bridges owns one of the finest shipping lines in London. That is, he did until his secretary and a few employees disappeared, leaving a muddle of things. Now several crates are missing and he has no explanation for the owners. The one most persistent in demanding answers is Miss Genviève Mirabelle. As much as he tries to put her off, she is determined to help him. Heaven save him from meddling females who are better served sitting at home having tea.Their search leads them from the docks and right into the heart of a smuggling ring. But their lives are not the only thing in danger. Their hearts hang in the balance, since neither one ever anticipated what was to come.
A TENACIOUS TRENT WEDDING
A SECOND EPILOGUE: Catch up with the Trents, meet up with old friends, and possibly meet someone new.
Dearest Reader,
You are cordially invited to the wedding of Mr. Jonathan Bridges and Miss Genviève Mirabelle. The marriage is to take place at the Church of St. George, Hanover Square, Mayfair, London, on May 1, 1815 at two in the afternoon. I am fully aware that this is not a proper or appropriate time for a wedding. However, the church has been quite busy of late, sometimes with two and three weddings scheduled a day, and neither the bride nor groom were willing to wait weeks just so they can be married before noon. Thus, they have expedited matters and obtained a Special License. This was mainly due to Mr. Bridges not willing to wait longer than necessary to make Miss Mirabelle his bride.
A wedding breakfast shall follow at the home of Lord and Lady Bentley, and a ball will be held that evening. I do hope you’ll join us for this most celebrated event. Besides the Trents, friends and acquaintances you might be familiar with will also be in attendance, but I don't dare give their names away. That would ruin the surprise.
The Right Honorable Countess of Bentley
LADY ADMIRED
The one thing Rose Trent, Dowager Countess of Bentley, has ever wanted was her freedom. Now it’s within her grasp. Or it was, until she is kidnapped on the very first holiday she’s ever taken. What should have been traumatic turns into the most adventurous time in her life, thanks to a handsome Scot named Aiden MacGregor. Unfortunately, she only has a fortnight to thoroughly enjoy herself before her stepsons show up to pay the ransom.
Laird Aiden MacGregor usually thinks through everything before taking action. After all, order is necessary to a successful business and home. But now, one rash action throws everything into disorder. He wasn't the one who kidnapped the delightful and beautiful Lady Bentley, but he’s the one who will pay the price. Fearing the worst, he’ll spend his last days on earth making everything right with his family, securing their future, and spending every moment he can with Rose before he swings from the gallows.
With a word, or perhaps a promise, Rose might save his neck, but at what cost?
The Tenacious Trents Connected Novellas
LANDING A LAIRD
Heiress Lady Moira Kirkwood will do anything it takes to marry a laird to take her north - far, far away from London and her domineering mother. Unfortunately, a pair of gentlemen overhear her jest about Scotland and compromising a fellow if she has to. Before the sun has risen the next day, Moira’s name and a scandalous wager have found themselves inside the infamous betting book at White’s.
One penniless gentleman after another begs Gideon Baxter, Viscount Ainsely, for his assistance in wooing Lady Moira. Unfortunately, Gideon would like to woo the charming lady himself. If only she cared more for him than for the location of his estate, he’d could be assured of where her true feelings lie.
***This novella (approximately 22,000 words) was originally published in the anthology The Betting Season, and the collection Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies. It is available now by itself for the first time.***
DEVIL IN HER DREAMS
Devil in Her Dreams, a novella, first appeared in anthology, A Season to Remember. It later appeared in a compilation, Scots, Spies & Salacious Lies.
Devlin Barrett was never meant to be Viscount Marston, but when his older brother and father die within a day of each other, Devlin not only inherits the title, but three younger sisters, all of marriageable age, and must retire from his former profession. He is unprepared for the responsibility thrust upon his shoulders and determines the best way to care for his sisters, and see that they are happy is to marry them off quickly as possible. He knows what is better for them, even if they don’t agree. And until they are settled, his life, and future, is on hold. Unfortunately, the lady he wishes to make his wife, refuses to wait until he is free.
Louisa Whitton needs to find a husband of her own choosing before Christmas, and is left with only three months to accomplish her goal. She failed to land one during the Season and the little season is her last hope. While visiting her sister in the country before returning to London she meets the perfect gentleman, thus foiling the plans her grandfather has of her wedding a man of his choice, and probably a vicar like her father. However, Marston refuses to even think about courting her until his sisters are wed and has the audacity to ask her to wait. Louisa knows her grandfather will never agree to a long courtship and sets out to find the perfect substitute for Marston during the first week of the little season.
Christmas Bauble
Christmas Eve had come to Canterbury, and with it a snowstorm the likes of which Elke Klaus had never seen in all her years. She peered out an icy window of her brothel and shivered at the thought of anyone stuck outside this particular Christmas Eve.
The town was already filled to the brim with holiday visitors. There would be nowhere else in all of Canterbury for any wayward travelers who’d braved the weather. Unless, of course, she opened her doors this Christmas Eve…
And, it might just be a new beginning for Zachariah Radburn, the newest Marquess of Lydell and Lady Gaia Evans.
The Wallflower's Stocking
Lady Gaia Evans and Lord Zachariah Radburn, Marquess Lydell first met last Christmas Eve after finding shelter from a blizzard within a brothel.
Conversation into the night led to the first buds of friendship as not only their hearts, but also their souls took notice.
With the promise of a dance when the Season began, the two went their separate ways. Except, Lady Gaia never saw Lydell again. As she found much to be desired in London, Gaia slowly withdrew from the throng until she found her place among the wallflowers.
Lord Lydell did attempt to attend the Season with the one hope of courting Lady Gaia. However, the American with a suspect family history was not made welcome. Therefore, Lydell withdrew from Society and put dreams, hopes, and desires for Lady Gaia away.
That is, until they encounter the other once again at Christmastime. Will their hearts and souls take notice again or will a past keep them apart?
