Ducal Encounters Series by Wendy Soliman

This edition updated January 2015 When Cristobel Brooke’s father, jeweller to the rich and famous, is brutally murdered, Crista flees to her uncle’s small village close to Winchester, determined not to be pulled into the criminal activities that ended her father’s life. But the villains discover she makes jewellery just as well as her father did and pursue her, forcing her to fall in with their plans... moreThis edition updated January 2015 When Cristobel Brooke’s father, jeweller to the rich and famous, is brutally murdered, Crista flees to her uncle’s small village close to Winchester, determined not to be pulled into the criminal activities that ended her father’s life. But the villains discover she makes jewellery just as well as her father did and pursue her, forcing her to fall in with their plans. Lord Amos Sheridan, brother to the Duke of Winchester, is intrigued by Crista but becomes frustrated when she refuses to trust him with her secrets. Astounded when she becomes implicated in treasonous acts, Amos is determined to vindicate her. With the duke’s backing, Amos and Crista launch a daring scheme to expose villains prepared to resort to murder and blackmail in order to line their own pockets. Crista finds herself falling a little more in love with Amos each time she meets him. But he’s a duke’s heir and she’s a nobody with a criminal past that would visit disgrace upon his entire family, so there can be no future for them, can there… less

Lady Annalise Sheridan, sister to the Duke of Winchester, embarks upon her second season, uninterested in any of the gentlemen vying for her attention. She has already settled her interest upon Clarence Vaughan, the Earl of Romsey. As a seasoned diplomat acting on behalf of his majesty’s government, he is quite the most intelligent, captivating and handsome man she has ever met and she is completely besotted by him... moreLady Annalise Sheridan, sister to the Duke of Winchester, embarks upon her second season, uninterested in any of the gentlemen vying for her attention. She has already settled her interest upon Clarence Vaughan, the Earl of Romsey. As a seasoned diplomat acting on behalf of his majesty’s government, he is quite the most intelligent, captivating and handsome man she has ever met and she is completely besotted by him. But her efforts to attract him are interrupted when she is abducted from a society ball, and her life hangs in the balance. The duke and his brothers hold Clarence responsible for Annalise’s disappearance. So too does Clarence, who berates himself for allowing his interest in her to become apparent. He should have anticipated that enemies of the state would use Annalise to bend him to their will. Annalise outwits her captors, leaving Clarence and her brothers to try and establish the reasons behind her abduction while she wrestles with the weightier difficulty of getting Clarence to fall in love with her. She soon discovers Clarence is a slave to duty and doesn’t have the remotest idea how to relax, even if he is very capable of arousing her passions. Refusing to give up on him, she sets about trying to change that situation, unwittingly causing more problems for them both than she actually resolves. Can two such diametrically opposed characters ever find happiness together… less

Rumours abound that Patrick Trafford, the famous Irish portrait artist, is the recluse who has taken Parkstone Manor, the rundown estate bordering the Duke of Winchester’s country seat. Lord Vincent Sheridan, the duke’s brother, is able to satisfy his family’s curiosity in that regard when he rescues eight-year-old twins from a brawl in Compton village... moreRumours abound that Patrick Trafford, the famous Irish portrait artist, is the recluse who has taken Parkstone Manor, the rundown estate bordering the Duke of Winchester’s country seat. Lord Vincent Sheridan, the duke’s brother, is able to satisfy his family’s curiosity in that regard when he rescues eight-year-old twins from a brawl in Compton village. Far from being grateful for the twins’ safe delivery, Niamh Trafford, Patrick’s granddaughter and the boys’ aunt, all but evicts Vince from her tumbledown home. Vince is unaccustomed to being so summarily dismissed, especially by attractive young women, and his interest in Miss Trafford is piqued as a consequence. Nia despairs. Now that Lord Vincent knows who they are, her grandfather will never be left in peace. His diminished mental capabilities will become public knowledge, ruining his reputation and making him a laughing stock. Drawn into the Sheridan’s elite social circle, Nia struggles to hide her growing attraction towards Lord Vincent. In urgent need of a confidante, she admits to him that someone is faking Trafford portraits, exploiting her grandfather’s muddled state of mind for their own gain. Patrick Trafford regains some of his former awareness when he is persuaded to undertake a portrait of the duke. Vince and Nia launch an ambitious plan to use the finished canvas as bait to uncover the identity of the forger. In so doing, Nia and the twins fall foul of a ruthless individual who will stop at nothing to exact revenge against the Trafford family, and secure his own future into the bargain. But he has reckoned without Vince, who is equally determined to save the woman he has fallen deeply in love with. Will he be in time… less

In the spring of 1819 civil unrest in the north of England spreads gradually south. The Duke of Winchester introduces Adam Pengelly, a falconer, to his estate to help discover the identity of the agitators and keep his family safe. Lady Portia, the duke’s younger sister, is enthralled by Adam’s falcons, but even more attracted to the man himself. Used to moving about the estate unnoticed, Portia gradually discovers more about Adam’s mysterious past... moreIn the spring of 1819 civil unrest in the north of England spreads gradually south. The Duke of Winchester introduces Adam Pengelly, a falconer, to his estate to help discover the identity of the agitators and keep his family safe. Lady Portia, the duke’s younger sister, is enthralled by Adam’s falcons, but even more attracted to the man himself. Used to moving about the estate unnoticed, Portia gradually discovers more about Adam’s mysterious past. When she overhears him agree to a clandestine meeting late at night on a secluded part of the estate, concern for his welfare causes her to follow him; with catastrophic results she could not have foreseen. Adam, deeply moved by Portia’s courage, is perilously close to developing feelings for a lady who is out of his class. But his heart already belongs to another… less

Still bearing the scars of a brutal yet mercifully short marriage, Laura Hedley, left independently wealthy, accepts an invitation from her friend Frankie, the Duchess of Winchester, to stay at Winchester Park while she considers settling in the district. But trouble follows close on her heels in the form of her disgruntled stepson who thinks that Laura has stolen his rightful inheritance... moreStill bearing the scars of a brutal yet mercifully short marriage, Laura Hedley, left independently wealthy, accepts an invitation from her friend Frankie, the Duchess of Winchester, to stay at Winchester Park while she considers settling in the district. But trouble follows close on her heels in the form of her disgruntled stepson who thinks that Laura has stolen his rightful inheritance. Lord Simeon Pallister is convinced that his brother Albert’s murder was arranged by the adulterous wife whom Albert was threatening to divorce. Simeon seeks the duke’s help to track down the perpetrators. Lord Amos, the duke’s brother, sees an opportunity to exorcise his personal demons by helping Simeon to find justice, unaware that it will involve taking partial responsibility for Laura’s problems too. Will Simeon find the proof he seeks? Will Laura ever feel truly free? Danger threatens at every turn. So too does the burgeoning passion that Laura and Simeon find it increasingly hard to ignore. But Laura has been burnt once and will never marry again… less

Lady Katrina Heston has spent all her life living abroad with her diplomat father. When she is permitted to travel to London to enjoy part of the season beneath Lady Frankie St. John’s chaperonage, she’s determined to make the most of every minute before settling down to marry the man her father has chosen to be her husband. Lord Nathaniel Sheridan, the Duke of Winchester’s youngest brother, is enchanted by Katrina’s lively personality and enters into an agreement with Lady St... moreLady Katrina Heston has spent all her life living abroad with her diplomat father. When she is permitted to travel to London to enjoy part of the season beneath Lady Frankie St. John’s chaperonage, she’s determined to make the most of every minute before settling down to marry the man her father has chosen to be her husband. Lord Nathaniel Sheridan, the Duke of Winchester’s youngest brother, is enchanted by Katrina’s lively personality and enters into an agreement with Lady St. John to ensure she has as much pleasure as possible whilst in the ton. He is horrified to learn that her father has agreed to throw his only child into the arms of a dullard like Brown. Convinced the scoundrel is somehow manipulating the diplomat into agreeing to the union, Nate delves deeper into Lord Heston’s affairs, with shocking results. Can Nate save Katrina from a highly unsuitable marriage without creating a scandal that will ruin her reputation and perhaps even threaten the life of the lady he has come to adore… less

Zachary Sheridan, the eligible and charismatic Duke of Winchester, is faced with a dilemma. In a youthful misadventure his father’s life was saved by his friend Euston. As a token of his gratitude Winchester signed a document promising his firstborn son in marriage to Euston’s daughter. Both men are now dead, but Euston’s widow is intent on having Zach honour the agreement to marry her daughter Fiona... moreZachary Sheridan, the eligible and charismatic Duke of Winchester, is faced with a dilemma. In a youthful misadventure his father’s life was saved by his friend Euston. As a token of his gratitude Winchester signed a document promising his firstborn son in marriage to Euston’s daughter. Both men are now dead, but Euston’s widow is intent on having Zach honour the agreement to marry her daughter Fiona. Whether or not the document she possesses is genuine, Zach cannot chance bringing dishonour on his family by challenging the claim and risking a breach of promise case. Meanwhile, Frankie St John, Zach’s alluring widowed neighbour, is being blackmailed by her brother-in-law. He possesses a document which, if made public, would reveal a devastating secret that would see her ostracized from society. Worse, she would lose the respect of Zach, the man she secretly adores. Can Zach and Frankie find a way through this web of intrigue, save the Sheridan family name and find the happiness together they so richly deserve less