The Marriage Maker Series by Louisa Cornell

After Waterloo, Captain Sir Theo Grindon wanders to Edinburgh where he goes through a series of wealthy mistresses to whom he trades the use of his body for access to their large conservatories to indulge his true passion—botany. When his fourth mistress tosses him and his belongings into the street, his prospects appear grim. Until the timely arrival of his old friend, Sir Stirling James, with a proposition... moreAfter Waterloo, Captain Sir Theo Grindon wanders to Edinburgh where he goes through a series of wealthy mistresses to whom he trades the use of his body for access to their large conservatories to indulge his true passion—botany. When his fourth mistress tosses him and his belongings into the street, his prospects appear grim. Until the timely arrival of his old friend, Sir Stirling James, with a proposition. Marriage to a woman with no designs on Theo’s body in her bed nor his heart at her feet. As she is in possession of the largest conservatory in England, it is an offer he finds difficult to refuse. Even if the lady in question with the face of a fairy queen and the disposition of a disgruntled hedgehog is daughter to a notorious murderer.After her father’s suspicious death, confirmed spinster Eden Turner is on the verge of losing both her fortune and her estate at Longbow. Family friend Sir Stirling James offers a practical solution. Marriage to a man whose only requirements are a bed and free run of Longbow’s considerable conservatory. Marriage to a studious botanist with no interest in entanglements of the heart seems a small price to pay to secure all she holds dear. Even if the botanist in question has the face of a Greek warrior, the body of a blacksmith, the appetite of a hoard of locusts, and a voice that turns her knees to jelly. less

Sir Stirling James, the man Society calls The Marriage Maker, is back this Season to work his magic at uniting couples—and never has his talent been more tested. Miss Emmaline Peachum needs a hero. She’ll settle for a husband, however, if he can rescue her reputation from further scandal and save her beloved library from the bailiff and his henchmen... moreSir Stirling James, the man Society calls The Marriage Maker, is back this Season to work his magic at uniting couples—and never has his talent been more tested. Miss Emmaline Peachum needs a hero. She’ll settle for a husband, however, if he can rescue her reputation from further scandal and save her beloved library from the bailiff and his henchmen. But what sort of gentleman will agree to marry the daughter of England’s most notorious swindler? After eighteen years in His Majesty’s Navy, Captain Lord Arthur Farnsworth wants to retire to the life of a country gentleman. But first, he must discharge his final duty to his men and retrieve the money that was swindled from them. Sir Stirling James offers the captain the perfect opportunity to find the missing funds. Arthur will marry the bookish hoyden whose father cheated his men of their last farthing and seduce her into telling him where the money can be found. The problem with this plan lies with the defiant, beautiful, and wickedly witty Miss Emmaline Peachum, who must have inherited her father’s larcenous tendencies. While Captain Farnsworth is intent on retribution, she is stealing his heart. less

The one woman he wants, is the one woman he can never have. Seven years after the death of her beloved sister, Miss Eleanor Grace McCormick learns the roguish brother-in-law she has never met, Captain Asherton Dorrill, has given up the sea and brought her late sister’s son to London. With the help of Sir Stirling James, using the name of Miss Grace, she obtains the position of governess to her nephew... moreThe one woman he wants, is the one woman he can never have. Seven years after the death of her beloved sister, Miss Eleanor Grace McCormick learns the roguish brother-in-law she has never met, Captain Asherton Dorrill, has given up the sea and brought her late sister’s son to London. With the help of Sir Stirling James, using the name of Miss Grace, she obtains the position of governess to her nephew. Her plan is simple—earn the child’s trust and take him from his father, who tore her family apart when he eloped with her sister. What she doesn’t plan is her growing fascination with Captain Dorrill, a man so handsome, her thoughts of him grow more wicked by the day. A man so haunted, he breaks her heart. A man so desperate to become the father his son needs, he keeps on the worst governess in London. How can she run away with his child, when she risks leaving her heart behind? Captain Asherton Dorrill has sailed ships for Dorrill Shipping for over ten years. After his young son’s near fatal drowning accident, he vows to give up the sea. He moves to London to help run the family business and get to know the child his wife died bringing into the world. He is determined to be the father Matthias needs. Hiring a proper governess seems the best way to start until the boy runs off three imminently qualified women in rapid succession. The fourth candidate comes highly recommended, but he quickly discovers that she is the most unconventional governess he has ever encountered, she is hiding a secret, and she is far more beautiful than is good for him. He has a strict rule against dallying with any woman in his employ no matter how fierce, kind, and wonderfully infuriating she is. Can he discover her secret before he consigns his strict rule to the devil? less

Lessons in love can only be learned by the heart… After being jilted by a mere shipping merchant in favor of her younger sister, Georgiana Addington is certain nothing worse can possibly befall her. Until the most inappropriate man in London asks her to dance. After a scandalous waltz that sets the gossips’ tongues wagging, the next morning, the man shows up in her family’s drawing room and announces his intentions to court her... moreLessons in love can only be learned by the heart… After being jilted by a mere shipping merchant in favor of her younger sister, Georgiana Addington is certain nothing worse can possibly befall her. Until the most inappropriate man in London asks her to dance. After a scandalous waltz that sets the gossips’ tongues wagging, the next morning, the man shows up in her family’s drawing room and announces his intentions to court her. Captain Ethan Dorrill dresses like a pirate, irritates her to the point of madness, and kisses like her heart’s desire. Determined to thwart his attentions, Georgiana sets him the most ridiculous tasks ever asked of a suitor. She must persuade him to abandon this ill-conceived courtship before she loses her heart. To save his sister from a terrible marriage, Captain Ethan Dorrill must succumb to his grandfather’s blackmail and court a duke’s granddaughter. Miss Georgiana Addington is beautiful. She also has all the charm of a patch of nettles. At a loss as to how to properly court a lady, he enlists the aid of his seven-year-old nephew. Not the most practical choice, but any port in a storm. Nothing, however, prepares him for the gauntlet of tasks the lady sets for him. If blood loss from being fitted for a new wardrobe doesn’t kill him, attending the musicale from hell, getting lost in a maze or riding a horse for the first time may. No one told him a proper courtship would be so painful. The only thing more painful would be letting Georgiana go. less