Tag: Regency romance Page 1 of 48

Letter from “A Lady”

On July 15, 2026

Dear Readers,

It is to be admired that a young lady of good family should excel with her paintbrush, as indeed she should also do in music, embroidery and letter-writing. That she should seek to earn her fortune thereby is another matter entirely.

Those of you cognisant of the recent scandal involving a certain Miss A and Mr C will know of what I speak. The seeking of one’s fortune through art represents an extraordinary lack of judgement, a trait oft seen in the story of the aforementioned Young Lady.

I cannot blame the prodigal daughter of Lady A for seeking escape from what I can only consider one of the Less Civilised provinces, despite its having a coastline and an absence of inconvenient hills. Unfortunately, our Great Metropolis draws all towards it, although it is to be wished that said young lady had made the journey in a more Respectable Fashion. Lady A is truly to be pitied that her offspring chose elopement, and even more so that the gentleman, in question, a certain Mr T, chanced to be a Nobody who could have no thought but for the young lady’s Fortune. Rumour has it that he, too, considered himself An Artist. Imagine that! That two such Unworldly Young Persons should be domiciled together is a recipe for Boredom, Penury, and Ultimate Disaster. Any Person of Taste, Fashion or Discretion must be shocked by such behaviour.

If only this were the end of the sorry tale of poor Lady A’s wayward younger daughter! As if creating a Scandal in London were not enough, what must she then do but return to her dreary county of residence in the company of a member of the Lyon’s Den Gambling Hell, whom we shall call Mr C. Said Establishment is right here in Town, almost on my own doorstep, I’ll have you know. Utterly appalling. The goings-on! The only good thing I can say for Mr C is that he’s not known for his Watercolours, Portraits, or Oils, but prefers to lead the ramshackle existence that is so often the Preserve of the Younger Son. His association with the proprietor of the aforementioned establishment bears closer inspection, as it is my understanding that Mrs D-L frequently involves her acolytes in Nefarious Activities. What hope is there for a Daughter of the Provinces when thrown into the company of such a fellow? And if he should have turned her head by saving her from Highway Robbers, a rejected Lover, and indeed, from herself, then she is entirely lost to Decent Society.

Let us pray that the aforementioned Mr C will break the young lady’s heart, render her an Unmarriageable Spinster, and cure her forever of her ambition to set herself up as an Artist. Only then will the drawing rooms of the ton be safe from Scribbles, Indecipherable Blobs, mawkish depictions of babies, Ugly Portraits, and hideous representations of Dogs.

If I learn anything further regarding this Particular Situation, I promise you shall be the first to hear of it.

Yours etc.

LYON ON THE LOOSE

She fled a terrible mistake. Then her past caught up with her.

When scapegrace Miss Lissy Ashby faces ruin, she vows never again to trust a charming smile. But Fate has other plans. An ultimatum, a stolen carriage, and a forced overnight stay entangle her with her mother’s new secretary—a man with secrets of his own.

He was awful at spying. Excellent at falling in love.

Roland Chetwynd has been sent to Lissy’s home under false pretences, charged by renowned matchmaker, Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, with recovering a missing sapphire necklace. He never imagined he would instead be captivated by a brave, blue-eyed artist who sees far more than he intended to reveal.

When masked villains strike at Lissy’s family’s ball, Roland risks everything—his reputation, his commission, even his heart—to protect her. But when the truth of his deception comes to light, Lissy must decide if the man she loves is a hero… or simply another mistake.

Purchase Link Universal: https://mybook.to/lyonontheloose

Purchase Link Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5P9LR9Y

Excerpt:

London

The carriage clattered to a halt at the road junction, then rocked alarmingly as someone yanked the door open and flung themselves into the interior. The Honourable Roland Chetwynd automatically reached for his lion-headed cane, a gift from Mrs Dove-Lyon, with which to defend himself. Too late. There was an ominous cracking sound as the unwelcome intruder lost their balance and collapsed onto his lap.

An interesting twist to an already disastrous day; his carriage was now full of rain-drenched young female, and his new walking cane had been snapped in two. He also now had mud on his trousers whilst a trail of water dripped enthusiastically from the woman’s bonnet onto the toes of his carefully polished Hessians.

His coachman, apparently unaware of the new arrival, set the carriage lumbering off once more. Speechless, Roland glared at the damp young lady as she seated herself opposite him and shook the rain from her hooded cloak.

“I most awfully sorry, sir, but I was in dire need and your coach stopped in the street at just the right moment. I promise you needn’t take me far—I just need to travel a few blocks to make sure he can’t find me.”

Usually of a sunny disposition, Roland found himself feeling particularly ungentlemanly today. He was currently boasting a black eye following a set-to with his old enemy Henry Sutton, and he had just discovered that there was a book set up against him at White’s, a further blow to his rickety self-esteem. Rescuing bold young ladies from unwanted suitors—or whoever—was not what he had in mind right now. A few games of cards, a harmless wager or two, and a very decent Canary wine awaited him at the Lyon’s Den gambling club, and he had every intention of making his way straight there without becoming entangled in somebody else’s affairs. Besides, the last time he’d come to the aid of a damsel in distress, it had not gone well.

The young woman was subjecting him to a sober perusal, and he wondered what he must look like to her, dressed up to the nines, his jacket tailored as tightly as Beau Brummel’s, his unruly blonde hair well-suited to the windswept style, and a swelling eye. Part of him wanted to inform the young lady at once that he hadn’t been the loser in the battle with Sutton, and that he had every intention of evening the score, but why should he care what she thought of him? This was his carriage, his ghastly day… and she wasn’t likely to make it any better.

When she pushed her water-blackened hair back from her face, he noticed a pair of intelligent blue eyes peering out from an elfin face with a determined chin. “Oh, I am desolated,” she exclaimed. “I have broken your beautiful cane.”

“Never mind that. Coachman!” He rapped on the roof of the carriage with what remained of the lion-headed cane. “Halt!”

The woman glanced fearfully through the window and pulled her cloak tightly about her neck. “Please, no, sir! He’ll see me if you set me down now. Please—can we not just go a few more blocks? I cannot allow him to catch me.”

Author Bio: USA TODAY bestselling author Elizabeth Keysian writes richly researched historical romance set in Regency England, Tudor Britain and the mysterious landscapes of Dartmoor. She has completed a series for Dragonblade Publishing called Trysts and Treachery, and contributed three Regency romances to their Lyon’s Den Connected World line, with one more still to come. Though primarily a writer of romance, she loves to put a bit of mystery, adventure, and suspense into her stories, and refuses to let her characters take themselves too seriously. Elizabeth likes to write from experience, not easy when her works range from the medieval to the Victorian eras. However, her passion for re-enactment has helped, as have the many years she spent working in museums and British archaeology. If you find some detail in her work you’ve never come across before, you can bet she either dug it up, quite literally, or found it on a museum shelf. She puts out the occasional newsletter when there are books, contests, and bargains to promote.

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Ladies in Breeches!

By Alina K. Field

On July 9, 2026

In Teatime Tattler

Dearest Readers:

Our correspondent from Cheltenham delivers the most surprising intelligence that Lady B— and her husband have arrived in town, he to devote himself to the gaming tables and his lady to exhibit the latest fashions at the various spas and promenades. It would seem that Lady B— has acquired an enthusiasm for the theater, for she gave her name to support a recent exclusive matinee performed at Suffolk House, currently occupied by the Viscount A— while the Earl and Countess grace us here in London with their company.

Our correspondent, who is intimately acquainted with the house in question, suggests that the Viscount might have wished to delight his guests by showing them the results of the recent renovation, which borrows the most gracious and elegant inspiration from the Italian style in the hands of Cheltenham’s newest architect, Mr. Dante Manelli, lately of London. Curiously enough, our friends inform us that Mr. Manelli had a previous acquaintance with Lady B—, which ended upon her marriage to his lordship.

The subsequent rift between the two does not bode to be mended upon their reunion, for it is reported that Mr. Manelli has been much seen in the company of a leading actress from the troupe lately favored by Viscount A—, who is housing them in his home. This Miss Evans, a young woman from Wales, is the same who our faithful readers will recall so charmed London a few Seasons ago as the ward and friend of Lady P—, wife of the Viscount P—.

It is reported by our faithful correspondent that Lady B—‘s matinee made a signal impression due to the performance of women in several of the leading roles, which included Miss Evans offering a most startling and original interpretation of Hamlet, the role beloved of Garrick and Kemble. While your loyal reporter understands that not all of our readers can approve of women in breeches roles, our correspondent reminds us that the peerless Mrs. Siddons played Hamlet in a performance in Dublin that became universally celebrated.

In the same vein, Miss Evans appears to be gaining renown in Cheltenham, but our correspondent reports that one of her more interesting roles appears to be as the recipient of the affections of Mr. Dante Manelli. The two have been spotted promenading outside of Thompson’s Spa, and our correspondent reports that Mr. Manelli has invited the troupe of actors to tour the house he is building Charlton Kings.

What will his former inamorata Lady B— think of Mr. Manelli’s new infatuation, one might wonder? Will the seeming affection between Mr. Manelli and Miss Evans give us a comedy leading to love and marriage, or will it prove a tragedy in the end? Your faithful reporter can only assure you, dear reader, that the depths of the human heart remain as great and powerful a mystery as ever. But should interesting events unfold in Cheltenham, you may rely on our faithful correspondent to rise to the task.

Until then, may your tea be always warm and your cream always sweet.

The Gentleman’s Leading Lady

The lady least likely to: let a pretend courtship become real.

She’s got her heart set on the role of leading lady.

Cerys Evans ran away from her family to make her way on the stage, wanting a name that was all her own. But when the theater burns down, her options are to slink home a failure, or help her troupe build new premises and finally prove her place among them. The only obstacle: she’ll have to work with the arrogant Dante Manelli, Cheltenham’s rising architect, who is most decidedly not a gentleman.

He’s set his heart on her.

Dante Manelli has fought for every inch of his success, and he’s not going to let the taunts of a saucy actress distract him. But she’s offering a project that can cement his career, and when she creates a ruse to free Dante from an old nemesis, she soon has all of Cheltenham believing they are not just co-conspirators but lovers. The more time he spends with her, the more tempted Dante is to make their play real.

But Miss Cerys Evans is meddling with a dangerous rival—one who will do anything to end her hopes. And when her past comes back to find her, Dante must fight to prove himself the gentleman worthy of her hand and deserving of her heart.

For two souls struggling to establish their place in the world, there might be only one place they each belong: together.

An excerpt featuring their first kiss:

“I might have led her ladyship to believe you have a tendre for me.”

“You little—” The words ended in a growl. “Minx. You enjoy toying with people, don’t you?”

Cerys raised her chin to stare him full in the face. His entire body tensed. The visible eyelid flickered. He was like a figure from a masque, half light and half shadow, half angel, half dark god.

“And you, manipulative baggage that you are, intend to rescue me.”

She closed her eyes briefly at the effect his gravelly voice had on her.

“Hardly a rescue.” She forced her tone to lightness. “A negotiation. I am making you indebted to me so you will build us a theater.”

He shifted slightly. The space between them lessened. He smelled wonderful, a blend of port and orange and spices.

“You suppose,” he ground out, “that spreading tales about my affections is the way to put me in your debt?”

“Do you disdain to work with actors? Can we not elevate you enough that a commission from us would be worth your time? No, we are not lords or wealthy tradesmen, so perhaps you despise—”

She stopped when his hand covered her mouth. Her knees nearly buckled at the contact of his skin, the weight, the maddening heat of him.

His fingers cupped her cheek, the lightest touch. She sucked in air. The part of his mouth she could see quirked in a smile. “Lady Disdain is going to lecture me about contempt? I am in no position to look down on anyone.”

She couldn’t seem to haul enough air into her lungs. She’d never kissed a man, not an actual man, not a proper kiss. What if it was awful? She couldn’t understand why she wanted so badly something that might be so terrible, and she stared at his lips, willing him, willing him—

“I go too far.” He loosened his arm from the wall and stepped back. “I—”

With a small, inarticulate groan, Cerys buried her fingers in his cravat and pulled his face to hers.

His mouth touched her mouth, and it was marvelous. A spark caught and then flared as those lips moved on hers, tentative, searching.

“Minx,” he growled in warning.

This was wrong. This was madness. She dug her fingers in his cravat, holding him. She wanted more of this. Dante, kissing her, forever.

~~~

The Gentleman’s Leading Lady, out now from Oliver Heber Books, is Book 12 in the Ladies Least Likely series. This is a grumpy/sunshine Regency romp with a pretend courtship, a headstrong actress, a starchy half-Italian architect, women in breeches, a villainess ex, and some sensual, stolen kisses.

Buy the book: https://books2read.com/u/m2gZBO

About the Author:

Misty Urban is a medieval scholar, freelance editor, and college professor who likes to write stories about misbehaving women who find adventure and romance. She lives in the Midwest in a little town on a big river with a handsome park ranger, two budding authors, and an ever-growing collection of books.

More about Misty: https://www.mistyurban.com

Find Misty online: https://linktr.ee/mistyurban

A Gentleman of Shadows… and a Lady Who Dares the Light

By Alina K. Field

On April 29, 2026

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,

There are whispers—quiet ones, of course, though no less persistent—of a certain gentleman who has long preferred the company of shadows to that of society.

Marcus Wolfton. Some call him Wolf.

Not for cruelty, as one might assume, but for something far more unsettling. Control. Precision. A man who does not lose himself… not to temper, not to indulgence, and certainly not to affection.

He has not been seen often of late. And when he is, it is said he keeps to the edges of a room, observing rather than engaging. One cannot help but wonder what thoughts occupy a man so determined to remain apart.

Yet what has truly set tongues wagging is not the gentleman himself… but the quiet change within his household.

There is a child.

A boy, by all accounts withdrawn, who has not been heard at the pianoforte in some time. Once lively, now silent.

Until recently.

A new presence has been noted. A lady—not one given to spectacle or social maneuvering, which makes her all the more intriguing. She does not command attention, yet it follows her. And where she walks, something curious seems to unfold.

It began, so the story goes, with a single note.

Then another.

And now… there are moments—fleeting, fragile—where music has been heard once more within those walls.

What role this lady plays in such a transformation remains to be seen. But one cannot ignore the timing. Nor the effect.

As for Mr. Wolfton…

Those who have glimpsed him of late suggest something has shifted. Not in manner, not in bearing—but in the space between one breath and the next. As if the stillness he has so carefully maintained has begun, ever so slightly, to give way.

Whether this is a passing influence or the beginning of something far more dangerous remains uncertain.

After all, society has long known that shadows serve a purpose.

But when a man steps out of them…

He risks far more than exposure.

The Lyon’s Shadow

by Ruth A. Casie

Sometimes it’s not the darkness that holds a man… but the fear of stepping into the light.

Marcus Wolfton, known only as Wolf, has lived his life in the shadows—controlled, precise, untouchable. A man shaped by duty and loss, he guards his world carefully… especially the quiet grief of a son who no longer plays the piano.

Until her.

Steady where he is guarded and warm where he has gone cold, she reaches for the broken places he has long kept hidden. And when silence begins to give way to something more, Wolf is faced with a truth he cannot outrun.

Some shadows are meant to protect.
Others… must be left behind.

Purchase Link

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2VK74R

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-lyon-s-shadow-the-lyon-s-den-connected-world-by-ruth-a-casie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251051833-the-lyon-s-shadow

Excerpt

Henry hesitated at the pianoforte, his small hand hovering above the keys.

Marcus stood just inside the doorway, unseen. Waiting.

“Just one note,” she said gently.

Her voice did not press. It did not coax. It simply remained.

The boy glanced up at her, uncertainty flickering across his face. Then, slowly, he lowered his finger.

One note sounded.

Soft. Fragile. Barely there.

Marcus felt it like a strike to the chest.

Henry stilled, as if the sound itself had startled him.

“It’s all right,” she said, her tone warm and steady. “You’ve already done the hardest part.”

Marcus exhaled, though he had not realized he’d been holding his breath.

The room shifted. Not in sound, not in movement, but in something deeper. Something he had not allowed himself to feel in a very long time.

Hope.

It had no place here.

And yet it lingered.

Henry pressed another key.

Then another.

Not a melody. Not yet. But more than silence.

Marcus stepped forward before he could stop himself.

The floor creaked beneath his boot.

Henry froze.

She turned.

Their gazes met.

There was no surprise in her expression. Only quiet understanding, as if she had known he was there all along.

And in that moment, Marcus realized something far more dangerous than broken silence had entered his home.

Not music.

Not even hope.

Her.

👤 About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Ruth A. Casie writes historical romance filled with emotional depth, compelling characters, and stories where love is earned, tested, and ultimately triumphant.

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Shocking Events in France and Mayfair

By Alina K. Field

On April 18, 2026

In Teatime Tattler

Dearest Readers:

You are no doubt aware that the stunning news of Bonaparte’s escape from Elba caps a week of utter chaos. Events of this week in Mayfair are beyond any I might have imagined in this most civilized and prosperous of countries. It is appalling that hordes of rioters have swamped the streets, broken into homes and vandalized belongings. I have heard various tales of mayhem and attacks on Members of Parliament from many of my well-placed correspondents, most of which have been reported elsewhere.

However, one fearless correspondent with first-hand knowledge informs me that these attacks weren’t limited to government officials. Dear Reader, you will find this story nowhere else!

On Thursday night past, a carriage was attacked on Arlington Street. The occupant was a lady on her way to a rout at Lady Camden’s. Her coachman and two liveried servants were unable to drive off the mob, and she was pulled from the carriage by ruffians. Fortunately, Horse Guard arrived in time to rescue her and, it was assumed, returned her home to safety.

Yet, later that evening, a curious thing happened. A Scottish Military Officer burst into the Arlington Street home of Lady Camden, seeking another Scotsman. The other man was not there, but our reporter had the distinct impression that the man being sought was Up to No Good.

But there is even more from our diligent correspondent, and I will share the story in that individual’s own words:

My dear Mr. Clemens,

Following my report of the Incident on Arlington Street and Lady Camden’s Scottish visitor, I have received further information.

The lady attacked by the crowd is newly arrived to town, residing with a relative in Chelsea, and not unrelated to the Scottish officer who visited Lady Camden. In fact, both the lady and the officer were players in a scandalous divorce from twenty years past, one so notorious that news of it (as it took place in the Highlands) reached even the London papers.

Further, I have learned that the attack on the lady was not a random act of the mob, but a targeted attempt at abduction! Nor was she safely returned to her home on Thursday last.

My source in Chelsea hints of a diabolical intrigue to this story. I will visit there later today and report further. Your readers will not want to miss this story!

Fated Hearts, A Love After All Retelling of the Scottish Play

About the Book

Plagued by hellish memories and rattling visions of battle to come, a Scottish Baron returning from two decades at war meets the daughter he denied was his, and the wife he divorced, and learns that everything he’d believed to be true was a lie. What he can’t deny is that she’s the only woman he’s ever loved. They’re not the young lovers they once were, but when passion flares, it burns more hotly than ever it did in their youth.

They soon discover, it wasn’t fate that drove them apart, but a jealous enemy who played on his youthful arrogance and her vulnerability. Now that old enemy has resurfaced, more treacherous than ever. When his lady falls into a trap, can he reach her in time to rescue this love that never died?

First in a series and only 99 cents through April 30th

Universal link: https://books2read.com/FatedHeartsbyAlinaKField

About the Author

Award winning and USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but prefers the much happier world of romance fiction. Though her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California, where she shares a midcentury home with her spunky, blond rescued terrier and a super-friendly chihuahua.

Website: https://alinakfield.com/

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A Lost Slipper

By Alina K. Field

On April 15, 2026

In Teatime Tattler

Dearest Readers,

This author has it on the highest authority that the by-blow half-brother of the Duke of Crane is searching for a woman. Why is that gossip worthy, you may wonder? Well, given the shenanigans of the duke at the Lyon’s Den, do you even have to ask?

Danger lurks with this family!

There is a rumor that a slipper was lost, and that it is only a matter of time before Maxen Fury finds its owner. This author can only hope the lady in question has hidden herself exceedingly well, for the whispers surrounding the Fury men are enough to make even the boldest among us clutch our pearls.

This promises to be a forbidden entanglement of the highest order, if true.

But whether this tale ends in ruin or rapture, this author shall soon uncover more . . .

Sincerely,

Your Devoted Gossipmonger

Her Beast in Brighton

Blurb:

What if the beast you are running from is your prince charming?

When Lady Calliope Turner opens a candle shop in Brighton, all she wants is to escape her wicked stepmother, two vile stepsisters, and a plot to marry her off. She never dreamed she would witness a crime one night on her way to meet her merchant. What’s a woman to do? Run away, of course! And pray she never gets caught. Only, in her haste, she not only draws notice, but she loses a very damning slipper.

Maxen Fury, one of the seven bastard sons of the Duke of Crane, also known as the ruthless beast of Brighton’s underworld, rules his territories with an iron fist. His only goal is simple: to build an empire with his brothers so powerful that they never have to beg, bargain, or bleed again. But when a secret meeting goes awry and his newest tenant proves to be bright, defiant, and far more dangerous than she appears, Maxen finds himself facing the most inconvenient complication of his life.

As suspicion ignites into fascination and danger closes in, Calliope must decide whether she can trust the very man who hunts her . . . and Maxen must confront the one thing he never planned for—a woman who dares to see the man beneath the monster.

Can a man forged in darkness learn to protect the light he wants to claim? Or will his world devour her first?

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Her-Beast-Brighton-Historical-Bastards-ebook/dp/B0GRX8NSL1

About Tanya Wilde:

Award-Winning and International Bestselling author Tanya Wilde developed a passion for reading when she had nothing better to do than lurk in the library during her lunch breaks. Her love affair with pen and paper soon followed after she devoured all of their historical romance books!

When she’s not meddling in the lives of her characters or pondering names for her imaginary big, white greyhound, she’s off on adventures with her partner in crime.

Wilde lives in a town at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa.