The Captive Heiress

All Major Charles Tyrone wants to do is forget his soldiering days and concentrate on making a success of his new engineering company. But Fate has other plans. Although an obscure third in line as heir to the Earl of Wyverne, Charles is suddenly catapulted to head of the family when the old earl suffers a stroke, the heir is killed, and Julian, the heir's only son, is in a coma from a curricle-racing accident.

As if that weren't enough, the major is confronted by Lady Vanessa Rayne, a ward of the old earl, who has been managing very well without the major's help, thank you very much. Animosity between Charles and Vanessa is further exacerbated by the earl's dictate that they shall marry.

The efforts to restore Julian to health are considerably hampered by a plethora of relatives, two of whom follow Charles in line of succession. Mr. Ambrose Tyrone is the local vicar; his mother, a woman accustomed to ruling the roose. Mr. Godfrey Tyron, a London dandy, arrives at Wyverne Abbey with his young sister, fluttery mother, and his mother's latest "friend" in tow. Not exactly welcome visitors in a house with two bed-ridden patients.

When hints of murder and attempted murder begin to rear their ugly heads, Charles calls on the support of some of the soldiers once under his command, but even that isn't enough to keep Julian, Charles, and even Vanessa from harm. Yet in spite of being caught in the midst of murder and mayhem, Charles and Vanessa begin to suspect that it truly is possible for the daughter of a duke and a lowly engineer to fall in love. If they live long enough to enjoy it.

Reviews:

"The very talented Blair Bancroft has added another diamond to the Regency treasure chest with the tightly plotted and delightfully executed The Major Meets His Match."*

Teresa Roebuck, Romantic Times

*now titled The Temporary Earl

"It's a vibrant and fun-filled glimpse into a time long ago, and I highly recommend it to ... any fan of romance. It has all the qualities that we look for, regardless of time period. Don't miss it. It's a keeper."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

Abigail Todd, the very proper headmistress of an academy for young ladies in Boston, arrives in England to settle her grandmother's estate, having no idea that her grandmother was "la grande Clarisse," the most notorious courtesan of her day. Nor that in order to inherit the cottage, which is far grander than she had ever imagined, she must carry out a series of commissions, detailed in letters left by her grandmother. It is also stipulated in the Will that the estate's executor must accompany Abby while she carries out the commissions.

The estate's executor is Jared Verney, Earl of Langley. Not only is he a shining example of England's ruling class, whom Abby despises, but his brother, a military man, helped burn Washington in the recent war. Not an auspicious way to begin a collaboration on eight commissions. To make matters worse, it was Jared's grandfather who installed Abby's grandmother in the cottage and frittered away his fortune showering her with gifts. Which means—oh horrors!—Abby and Jared may be cousins.

Only strict training in manners allows the stiff-necked American and the English aristocrat to move forward, carrying out Clarissa's instructions. Over the course of the commissions, which range from sentimental to uncomfortable, threatening to a stunning surprise, the two antagonists begin to realize that Clarissa might have had an ulterior motive. Is it possible she hoped to achieve for Abby the wedding ring Clarissa was never offered by Jared's grandfather? By the time Abby and Jared recognize the old courtesan's scheme, it may be too late. Clarissa has bound them together as thoroughly as the ribbons around her packets of letters. But is it marriage the earl has in mind, or merely tumbling the proper Bostonian into her grandmother's footsteps?

Reviews:

"This story flows like fine champagne, full of sparkle, zest and energy."

Teresa Roebuck, Romantic Times

"The dialogue sparkles, the plot evolves at a brisk pace, and a diverse cast of secondary characters adds depth and texture to this well-written tale."

Susan Lantz, Romance Reviews Today

"I was completely and utterly seduced by this book. . . . The plot is exquisite, a sparklingly innovative, perfectly executed piece of craftsmanship. . . . It is books like this that restore our faith in the Regency genre. . . ."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

Miss Aurelia Trevor has a problem. Until she reaches the age of twenty-five, she will have no control over her beloved Pevensey Park, and by that time her unscrupulous uncle will have run it into the ground. Marriage to someone other than her uncle's leering son is her only way out, but, one by one, she rejects the men on her list of suitors. In desperation, Aurelia does the unthinkable. She hires a solicitor to find her a husband strong enough to stand up to both her uncle and her cousin. And soon learns the truth of that old adage: Be careful what you wish for.

Thomas Lanning is man of the City. Unlike Aurelia, who stands to inherit vast land and wealth, he has made his own place in the world. He is not tempted by the suggestion of marriage to an heiress, but other considerations, such as a power base for a seat in Parliament, tweak his interest. Plus an unexpected twinge of chivalry when he hears the full extent of Miss Trevor's difficulties with her uncle and his family.

Aurelia, who only wants to live in peace on her acres, finds she has acquired a ready-made family in Thomas's younger sister and brother, as well as a head-strong husband whose campaign for MP fills her household with a shocking assortment of characters. It seems her marriage of convenience is fast becoming a marriage of inconvenience. Just how far will this strong-willed pair bend to accommodate each other? And will they do it before it is too late?

Reviews:

"Blair Bancroft's warm and tender [novel] boasts a great heroine in Aurelia: She's attractive, courageous, vulnerable and intelligent."

Robyn Taylor, Romantic Times

"Reading how they gradually learn to like and eventually love each other is wonderful. Blair Bancroft is now definitely one of my favorite traditional Regency authors and this book is a prime example of why."

Nicole Hurst, Romance Junkies

"Set against a backdrop of rural politics (and a fascinating look at the early world of "buying" votes) this is a story that entrances, enlightens and endears."

Celia at A Romance Review

Reviews:

"Blair Bancroft can always be counted on to deliver exceptional characters and/or settings, historical accuracy, unusual plots, and flawless writing. LADY SILENCE is one more sterling example." Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today

"LADY SILENCE by Blair Bancroft is a splendid Regency romance! The creative intrigue and alluring characters make this novel a must have."

Nadine St. Denis, Romance Junkies

When he went off to war, Colonel Damon Farr vaguely recalls giving permission for his staff to "keep" a twelve-year-old waif who asked for shelter in the midst of a snowstorm. Six years later, he finds her still there, a beautiful eighteen, and companion to his mother, in spite of the fact that Katy can't talk. Who and what is the girl Damon promptly names Lady Silence?

Except for speech, Katy Snow has all the attributes of a lady. She reads, she writes, she rides, and has an unusual knowledge of Latin and Greek. Although Damon wants to shut himself up in his library and forget the world, he grudgingly allows his mother to talk him into using Katy as a part-time secretary.

Katy's beauty, spunk, and efficiency soon charm Damon from the sullens all the way to lust, but he can scarcely set up his mama's companion as a mistress. But honorable intentions are impossible. A gentleman of good birth and ample fortune cannot ally himself with a nameless waif.

Frustration mounts by agonizing steps, fraught with mistrust, as Damon's idyll at Farr Park is shattered by an unexpected inheritance, two overly zealous junior officers, greedy relatives, an impostor, and a missing fortune. Is "the girl the cat dragged in" Damon Farr's Sinful Temptation or his Salvation? Katy and Damon walk a rocky road before the answer becomes clear.

Miss Penelope Blayne is furious. A highly competent, well-traveled young woman of twenty-six, she is shocked when the aunt with whom she has lived for most of her life names a male guardian for Penny's considerable inheritance until she is thirty. And, worst of all, the guardian is Jason Lisbourne, Earl of Rocksley, a man she has not seen since a dramatic incident a decade earlier.

Penny arrives at the earl's estate in the midst of an ice storm, only to find a drunken party in progress. Horrified and angry, she is totally unprepared for the earl's proposal the following morning: that it is time they take seriously the vows made under duress in a sultan's harem ten years earlier.

Penny and Jason each recall their days in Constantinople and the disastrous event that began their personal tangle. "What ifs" abound, but common sense now demands they make the best of the noble sacrifice Jason made as a very young man. Also instrumental in the events in Constantinople,is the British Ambassador, Lord Elgin, whose struggles to have his "marbles" accepted by the British Museum become part of the continuing story of the Earl of Rocksley and Miss Penelope Blayne.

Unfortunately, Penny's debut as the Countess of Rocksley is marred by rumors of her time in the harem of the Topkapi palace and by Jason's mistress, who just won't take "no" for an answer. Penny's attempts to fit into society, in both London and Shropshire, come to naught, and she is the one who cuts the Gordian knot binding them together. Will Jason forge a more lasting tie? Does he want to? Or has he suffered enough for a youthful excess of heroism?

Author's Note: The Harem Bride is a tad "warmer" than my other Regency romances, and perhaps not suitable for every reader.

Reviews:

". . . The book also has an ambiance that is simply of a different flavor than that of a typical Regency. If you like daring and originality in your Regency authors, I suggest that you pick up all the Blair Bancroft titles you can get your hands on."

Barbara Hume, Rakehell

"Blair Bancroft does it again! . . . once again, she has offered us a tale rich with Regency settings, but unique in characters and plot. . . . Bravo, Ms. Bancroft, for not being afraid to shake the genre up a bit - I think the Prince Regent himself would have applauded your daring."

Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

Naïve and vulnerable, Bess Holland is easily charmed by the Duke of Norfolk, doing his bidding in exchange for gifts and adoration. For years, she and Elizabeth compete for his affections. But they are mere spectators to an obsession neither can rival: Norfolks quest to weave the Howard name into the royal bloodline. The womens loyalties are tested as his schemes unfold-among them the litigious marriage of his niece, Anne Boleyn, to King Henry the VIII. But in an age of ruthless beheadings, no self-serving motive goes unpunished-and Elizabeth and Bess will have to fight a force more sinister than the executioner's axe...

Praise for Secrets of the Tudor Court

"A beautifully written story with wonderful attention to detail. I loved the book. -Diane Haeger, author of The Queens Mistake

A single ladyin possession of a good fortunemust be in want of a suitor

Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried statewith dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she wasyoung and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor,and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older,wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is,her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durhamand settles an enormous dowry on her, making herthe most eligible heiress in town.

No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthybride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives anintroduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but sheswiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart orher hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested.Entranced. And soon the only thing he needsmore than Margaret’s fortune . . . is her love.

An heiress in disguise. A duke who doubts his legitimacy. Will secrets destroy their love?

Traumatized by a blaze that killed her parents, young Johanna remembers nothing of her privileged past and remains ignorant of the dangers that surround her. She grows up among the servants, where she develops a sense of purpose that helps her survive the betrayal that unmasks her true identity. Once she is forced to take her proper place in Regency society as the highly sought heiress to the Ambersley fortune, she must defy the relatives who would make her a pawn in their struggle for power.

When Derek Vaughan inherits the dukedom, his dubious parentage makes it a sacrilege to accept. But touched by the ravaged estate and its destitute staff, he braves a society that once shunned him while he rebuilds Ambersley and guards it from his stepmother's bankrupting clutches. He intends to grant the title to his half-brother when the boy comes of age, but Derek's plans go awry from the moment the gardener's apprentice—once his trusted young friend—is revealed to be not only an heiress of beauty and spirit, but the one woman who may finally capture his heart.

When Jack Merrill becomes earl Haddington inheriting not only a title but the devastating debt that came with it, his friends convince him that there is nothing for it but to gain quick wealth the really old fashioned way…marry into it!

On the hunt for a wealthy bride, Jack stumbles upon Kitty Hayes, the sister of his former target Evelyn. To him, Kitty is everything Eve was not to him – full of a fire and spirit that challenges him but also everything Eve was as well – a wealthy heiress. But Kitty is a married woman! Can he wait it out until she finds her freedom while reeling her in with friendship and seduction so that he might cast his net about the wealthy heiress the moment her divorce is final?

After years of marriage with an abusive husband, Kitty Hayes flees Boston hoping to find protection and anonymity with her sister, Eve MacKintosh, now countess Glenrothes in Scotland, while she petitions for a divorce from the man who has made her life a living hell. Mistaken for her sister, Kitty encounters Jack Merrill who seeks friendship, he claims, but Kitty knows what he is hoping for!

Certain that she will never marry again and certainly not expecting such a thing from an inveterate womanizer like Jack Merrill, Kitty negotiates a deal with Jack that if he can wait until her divorce is complete, she will give him the money he desires if in return he becomes her lover! Seeing everything he desires falling into place, Jack agrees to a bargain that is to him a complete win/win scenario that leaves him free of dreaded matrimony.

But when Kitty’s life is threatened by her former husband and their 'bargain' suddenly becomes much more complicated, can Jack just stand aside and let this woman walk out of his life forever?