The Royal Ambition Series

To save her home, a woman must risk her heart in this fun Regency romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series.   At age twenty-three, the petite Lady Margery has already graced the rows of wallflowers for many a season. With the one exception of Charles, the Marquess of Edgecombe, the only man who ever dances with her, Lady Margery will have nothing to do with men. What’s more, she does not even particularly like Charles.   Bored beyond words, she returns to the comfort of her only love: her home at Chelmswood. But even there, she still cannot find the respite she seeks. It seems her middle-aged father has taken for himself a dim-witted brat of nineteen to be his bride.   Forced into bankruptcy by his child-bride’s lust for luxury, Margery’s father determines to sell Chelmswood. But Margery will not hear of it and launches an all-out, military-like campaign to ensnare a wealthy husband and save her ancestral family home.   Everything seems to be going according to plan until the unforeseen intervention of Charles sabotages Margery’s plan, giving them both a run for their money.

A spinster. A rake. A most unexpected passion—the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series whips up a Regency confection.   A woman of independent means with a healthy dose of cynicism about the male persuasion, Harriet Tremayne is content with her circle of spinster friends and their devotion to literature, women’s rights, and intellectual interests.   However, when she determines to take on a London Season for her beautiful but featherbrained niece, she concedes she must appear less a bluestocking and more fashionable to successfully sponsor this impossible young lady whose only real desire, it seems, is to consume chocolate.   Certainly her modish new appearance has nothing to do with the attentions of Lord Dangerfield, a wicked man of the world who has designs on the fair niece, yet spends an inordinate amount of time trying to sell Harriet on the virtues of his all-too-obvious attributes.   “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews

A princess with a secret in a Regency caper that captures the heart from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series.   London is all on edge and astir to have in its midst the exquisite Princess Felicity of Brasnia. If only the nobility knew that the bejeweled heir to the royal throne is in truth Miss Felicity Channing of Cornwall, fleeing a match she does not want and that has been arranged by her conniving stepfather . . .   But how long can Felicity carry off this lively masquerade before she falters? Especially since the dark, raffish eyes of Lord Arthur Bessamy seem to look right through her disguise—and set her spirited heart to pounding.   “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the New York Times–bestselling author: An “engaging romp” featuring a marquess determined to make a marriageable woman out of a tomboy debutante (Library Journal).   Arranging a season for an unruly young lady whose habit is to enter drawing rooms by sliding down banisters presents a challenge at best—especially since the boisterous Mirabelle Markham has a sister of incomparable grace.   Mira isn’t daunted at all by high society’s ridiculous marriage mart. Her heart belongs to Lord Charles Devere, and always has. Alas, Charles only has eyes for her ever-perfect sister, Drusilla.   But the Marquess of Grantley rather enjoys Mira’s jealous antics—until she goes too far and pushes her sister into the fountains. Now it’s up to Grantley to restore Mira to respectability and make her an eligible bride once again. Yet when he succeeds, the smitten Marquess begins to wish he’d left well enough alone . . .   The Dreadful Debutante is a delightful regency romance in the Royal Ambition series from Marion Chesney, writing as M.C. Beaton, New York Times–bestselling author of the popular Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, both of which have been adapted for TV by the BBC and PBS.  

A highwaywoman steals hearts in this charming Regency romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series.   The handsome but arrogant Viscount Charles Hawksborough desperately wanted to catch the infernally insolent thief who had held him up at pistol point on the King’s Highway and ridden off with his family’s inheritance and jewels.   Hawksborough just as desperately tried not to want the piquant and penniless Miss Amanda Colby when the young lady and her twin brother came to stay at his London townhouse at the height of the social season.   The viscount feared his own desire for this slip of a girl when he was about to wed the most beautiful and more suitable Lady Mary Dane. Meanwhile, Amanda feared he would discover she was the thief before she could atone for the crime. Whatever was to happen, it was clear that neither were prepared for what was to take place in this bewildering labyrinth of love and larceny.   “Chesney is a romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [Sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist

Opposites attract—and strike a delicious bargain in a Regency romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series.   The handsome, wealthy Marquess of Rockingham is the most notorious man in London, as infamous for his violent temper as he is for his intemperate ways.   Miss Lucinda Westerville is a country vicar’s daughter, as innocent as she is lovely and as proper as a young lady can possibly be.   Yet when this improbably matched pair meets at a glittering social ball, they strike the dubious bargain to become man and wife, in name only. But Lucinda soon finds that she has taken on more than she bargained for—when she vows not to love this untamed, infuriatingly attractive man. Now, she must try to rein in her own foolishly galloping heart . . .   “Chesney is a romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [Sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist

An impulsive spitfire gambles on love in a witty Regency romance from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Traveling Matchmaker series.   The Misses Penelope Yarwood, Euphemia Perkins, and Letitia Helmsdale waste no time in smugly informing Fiona that the Marquess of Cleveden is the most eligible—and the most elusive—catch in the London marriage mart. And since society’s most dazzling beauties have failed to win him over, a newcomer like Fiona doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance of having him look at her twice.   That is all that fiery-tempered Fiona needs to hear, and she bets—far more wealth than she possesses—that she will snare the maddeningly elusive marquess before the season’s end.   Now Fiona faces the risk of losing a wager she cannot repay—and more, the even greater danger of losing her heart.   “[Beaton] is a romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [Sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” —Booklist

A collection of seven Regency romps that draw you into a world of seduction, scandal, and sin—from the New York Times bestselling author.   The Dreadful Debutante: When Miss Mira Markham takes her hoydenish ways to London, she unexpectedly lights up the Season—and makes a most unexpected match.   The Savage Marquess: An innocent country vicar’s daughter enters into a marriage of convenience with a depraved nobleman—and realizes she may be in over her head.   Miss Fiona’s Fancy:  Fiona risks everything—including her heart—when she bets that she’ll catch the attention of the handsome and eligible Marquess of Cleveden.   The Viscount’s Revenge: His attraction to an impoverished woman threatens Lord Charles Hawksborough’s impending marriage—and exposes a dangerous secret.   The Chocolate Debutante: While braving the treacherous waters of London Society to help her niece find a match, bluestocking Harriet Tremayne doesn’t count on attracting the attentions of a lord . . .   Lady Margery’s Intrigue: Forced to snare a rich husband, a confirmed spinster never plans on falling in love—especially with a man she simply can’t stand.   The Paper Princess: Fleeing an unwanted marriage match, a woman impersonates a princess. But Lord Arthur Bessamy sees through her deception—and sets her heart on fire.   Praise for M. C. Beaton and her novels   “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews   “A delightful tale . . . romance fans are in for a treat.” —Booklist   “Nicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humor and adventurous spirit.” —Publishers Weekly