[From barbaracartlandbooksandcoverart] It is the story of Susanna, the second daughter of Lady Lavenham, who married off her older sister to an unwanted suitor and plans to marry off Susanna, who is heavy and plain, to a penniless duke! To stop this plan, she escapes home and takes a position as a reader to a temporarily blind American man. What happens next is magical Cartland!

In a few short hours Cerissa would have everything she thought she wanted. A wealthy young lord was anxiously awaiting their wedding. Cerissa would become a great lady. No one would ever again mention her low birth. Yet her heart pounded for the gallant young guardian who had seen her safely to England. Penniless as he was, it was Sheldon that Cerissa really loved. But now he was leaving her in the care of the foolish lord who would be her husband. He would soon depart to another country and remain a lifetime away. Cerissa was suddenly aware that her charade had worked perfectly. She had deceived everyone. But could she fool her own heart?

For once the handsome, self-assured Earl of Helstone had been caught off guard. The young lady had taken a nasty fall from her horse and the Earl rushed to her aid. But as he reached her side, he realized that the pretty little redhead was shamming. Introducing herself to the startled Earl, Calista warned him to stay away from her mother's country estate. Lady Chevington had decided it was time her headstrong daughter married. And the Earl would be a splendid catch. The notorious "Elusive Earl" laughed off the warning. None of the scheming London beauties had moved him one step nearer the altar. A matchmaking mother was no serious threat. But the Earl underestimated his opponent. What love couldn't accomplish, Lady Chevington achieved with blackmail. And England's most careful bachelor was walking blindly into an ingenious matrimonial trap.

[from fictiondb.com] Linetta was alone in the world. Her dying governess instructed her to go to Paris and seek the help of her niece, Marie. Had that good lady known what had happened to simple, good-hearted Marie--now Blanche d'Antigny, the toast of the Paris demi-monde, paramour of men twice her age--it would have been the last place she'd have sent Linetta! But her instructions were carried out, and innocent, inexperienced Linetta found herself caught up in a life that dazzled and bewildered her. And most puzzling of all was Marie's plan for her future: accepting the "protection" of a wealthy, generous older man. Linetta was sure the plan would have displeased her mother. But what alternatives were there? She was alone and penniless. Was there no one to help her decide what to do? Marquis of Darleston has met her on board the steamer to Paris, and he is surprised to meet her later in the home of the courtesan Blanche d'Antigny.

Lady Marcia Woode was the beautiful, but strong-willed daughter of the Earl of Grateswood. Her forthright manner of dismissing her suitors was about to become the scandal of the London Season. A trip abroad was indicated, but when her father proposed a visit to the Chateau de Roux, the astute debutante spotted a marriage trap. Fortunately, Armond, Duc de Roux -- a superbly handsome man -- was even less inclined to matrimony, preferring more sophisticated pursuits... United by their refusal to fall in love, the pair rode through the verdant French countryside. Then, an injured child and a deadly plot brought them down to earth -- and into each other's arms, joined in the Wonder and Perfection of Love....

Manela escaped from an undesired marriage and hired the Marquis as a chef concealing her status as a Countess. Immediately gained trust from the Marquis because of his brightness and cooking skills. And one day, when he was asked to put drugs in his cooking, he was quick and stopped. Furthermore, although the distance between the two approaches, Manela can never reveal his identity --- !?