j. howard shelley

Nick Burley succeeds to the title only to discover that his father's ruinous career has left his neglected estates deep in debt and generating little revenue. Determined to pay his creditors in full and to provide for his widowed stepmother and 8 stepsisters, he throws himself into managing his estate at the same time dispensing with all of the usual trappings of a gentleman and, at the same time, any prospect of an advantageous marriage.
Six years later, Miss Isabella Rhetford, a most unconventional heiress, travelling to for her first season is overturned in front of him. Miss Rhetford is taken to Burley Manor to recover from her injuries, soon thereafter to be joined by her even more unconventional aunts. This unlikely pair of bickering sisters, eschewing polite society, spend their lives decorating other people's houses for entertainment. Viewing the prospect of spending an entire season in London with abject horror, the Aunts propose that Nick's mother should bring out Isabella (thus neatly avoiding the duty themselves) and they suggest - as an incentive - that Lady Burley could also bring out her oldest daughter at the same time.

While all this has been going on Isabella has discovered her host's financial straights and, having developed some financial expertise while living with her aunts, takes it upon herself to assist him in repairing his fortune - with spectacular results.
Lady Burley's sojourn in London during the season has unintended consequences as Lord Thanet has never forgiven Nick's father for eloping with his oldest daughter - Nick's step mother - and he sets out to secure his revenge. Such revenge if it cannot be exacted upon Nick upon the Ladies in his life will make a more than acceptable substitute. Consumed by the slight committed (as he saw it) upon him by Nick's father he kidnaps Isabella from Nick's protection with the intention of forcing her to marry his eldest son. Thwarted at the altar, he tries again, this time abandoning Isabella, Nick's mother and sisters on the sand and mud of The Wash to await their fate with the advancing tide.

In short order Nick must rescue the ladies, deal with the arrival of a grandmother he never knew he had and face a series of eligible suitors desirous of marrying his sisters. He must find the truth about a crooked steward, prevent a land fraud and discover a secret cellar.

Can Miss Rhetford persuade her trustees that the well-bred but impoverished Lord Burley is a suitable husband for her? If so, can she then persuade Lord Burley that she will make him a suitable bride? Can Lord Burley rescue his estate, keep his mother and sisters safe and at the same time keep Miss Rhetford out of the clutches of Lord Thanet? Can he ever see what is right in front of his nose?

This is a historical romance with a dash of comedy, containing unexpected twists, dramatic rescues, a dastardly villain, a chase through the night, an (often) bewildered hero and a determined and managing heroine. Everything a story set in the regency should have.