Matchmaking for Wallflowers

Rosamund prides herself on her matchmaking skills. After meeting Marcus Worthing, Earl of Somerville and her older sister's childhood best friend, she knows she's found the perfect fiancé...for her reclusive sister. Unfortunately, she's spending far too much time thinking about the man.

Fiona Amberly is more intrigued by the Roman ruins near her manor house than she is by balls. When her dying grandmother worries about Fiona's future, Fiona stammers that she's secretly engaged. Soon she finds herself promising that she will introduce her husband-to-be by Christmas.

The only thing Lady Cordelia and Lord Rockport can agree on is their mutual abhorrence. Lady Cordelia was supposed to be the perfect debutante. But three broken engagements later, she's the subject of titters rather than laudations. Now relegated to the wallflower section of every ballroom, she does not want anything to plummet her further into scandal. She absolutely does not want to have anything to do with the too handsome, too roguish, too Scottish Marquess of Rockport.

Lord Rupert Haywood, future Duke of Belmonte, has no desire to manage an estate with his corrupt father. He prefers to roam the ocean with his crew of rugged pirates. Ever since Louisa Carmichael's brother unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, her mother's expectations for her have veered in a distinctly vertical direction. Louisa dreams not of glittering ballgowns but of exploring the tropical waters of the Caribbean with her latest invention, an underwater breathing apparatus.

Veronique Daventry absolutely believes in true love. When the baron she's corresponded with for years over long distance suggests they elope in Scotland, she eagerly assents. Perhaps she's never met him, but she's certain their souls are meant to be joined for eternity. Lord Miles Worthing is surprised when he is ushered to a chapel on a visit to Scotland and finds a beautiful woman. His happiness halts when her family discovers them in a compromising position. Veronique is devastated to have mistaken this stranger for her fiance.

Lady Madeline Mulbourne, widow of a renowned art critic, has secrets. Pretty secrets. Sparkling secrets. Ever since the wars on the continent ended, she's been determined to return the jewels the French confiscated to their rightful owners, even if it means stealing them herself. Lord Arthur Carmichael, Marquess of Bancroft and a former spy, is in need of a bride. Who is more suited than the woman he'd once intended to marry? But when jewels disappear at balls Madeline attends, Arthur suspects Madeline might have more than one reason for not wanting to marry him.

Lord Frederick Bowen, Duke of Salisbury, is expecting an heiress for Christmas. The fact does not bring him pleasure. Ever since the war ended, he would rather focus on experiments for his new waterproof material. Celia might be the daughter of an earl, but she's of the illegitimate variety. She has resigned herself to life as a maid for the wicked countess and her two half-sisters. When Celia's half-sister begs her to pretend to be her, Celia is thrust into a fairy tale. Everyone knows though that fairy tales never come true....