A duchess awaiting trial for her vile husband's murder is the most delicious gossip the ton has heard in years. But for Kate Townsende, the woman in question, it could be a matter of life and death. And when a shrewd and handsome nobleman offers to publish her side of the story while arranging for a barrister to take her case, she's tempted by much more than the chance to defend herself... James Bancroft, Viscount Medford, tells himself he's only interested in a bestselling pamphlet, but Kate's stubborn determination is captivating. Could the accused widow be telling the truth? At first, James isn't sure of anything besides his growing desire for her—but before long he's willing to risk much more than his reputation to make the infamous beauty his wife... Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage is the third Secret Brides novel from Valerie Bowman.

Secrets of a Wedding Night Valerie Bowman HOW TO STOP A WEDDING Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled "Secrets of a Wedding Night," knowing it will find its way into his intended's innocent hands... HOW TO SEDUCE A WIDOW Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon's new fiancée cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it's his former fiancée Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be...

SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE Valerie Bowman Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Green—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman. When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend's sister-in-law, he didn't realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters worse, he's stuck playing the role of honorable protector...when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.

For the first time together in one bundle, Valerie Bowman’s Scandalous Brides series: a secret pamphlet, an unlikely elopement, and a woman on trial for murder—scandalous marriages are far more interesting... SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT: Lily Andrews, Countess of Merrill, is young, widowed, penniless, and has strong opinions on marriage; she refuses to allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man, so she anonymously writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night” to stop the wedding for the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Except when the man in question, Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, learns that his former fianceé is the author, he offers her a scandalous challenge impossible to resist. SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE: With her overprotective family out of the country, nothing can prevent Miss Annie Andrews from eloping to Gretna Green with the man she loves—nothing that is, except for her brother-in-law’s best friend Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne. Trusted with Annie’s protection, Jordan spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, but as they spend time together, Jordan realizes he wants to run away with her himself... SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE: Awaiting trial for her husband’s murder, Kate Townsende is surrounded by gossipmongers who have no interest in her side of the story. But when the handsome James Bancroft, Viscount Medford, offers to publish her side of the story while arranging for a barrister to take her case, Kate is tempted by more than the chance to defend herself and James realizes he’s willing to risk more than his reputation to save Kate and make her his wife...

When Duchess Kate Townsende is accused of murdering her vile husband, nobleman James Bancroft offers to publish her side of the story as she awaits trial, a proposition that begins as business, but turns into something more.

With a new royal baby we witness fundamental changes in the succession laws, but then rules governing the royal weddings and the succession to the throne have always been shifting. So what is marriage and who decides? What special rules govern royal marriage and when did they come into force? How have royal marriages affected history? Were the 'Princes in the Tower' illegitimate? Did Henry VIII really have six wives? Was Queen Victoria 'Mrs Brown'? how were royal consorts chosen in the past? Did some use witchcraft to win the Crown? History has handled debateable royal marriages in various ways, but had the same rules been applied consistently, the order of succession would have been completely different. Here, all controversial English and British royal marriages are reassessed together for the first time to explore how different cases can shed light on one another. Surveying the whole phenomenon of disputed royal marriage, the author offer some intriguing new evidence, while highlighting common features and points of contrast.

A deliciously sexy and passionate tale for fans of Lisa Kleypas, Anabelle Bryant’s latest Regency romance features a devious lord who will stop at nothing to possess the lady of his dreams…but can she keep his secret? In monetary matters, Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, is used to being in control, but from his first sight of Lady Charlotte, his carefully cultivated world is rocked to its foundations. Determined to best her other, more eligible suitors, he goes to great lengths to ensure his betrothal to Charlotte. A locked black leather box holds the dark secret that has assured his success. Innocent Lady Charlotte is baffled by her new husband’s behavior. Why does Lord Dearing seem so distant one day, and so attentive the next? Her family’s dire financial straits did not allow her the luxury of an extended courtship. If only she could entice him into the marriage bed! When at last Charlotte’s efforts are rewarded, she revels in Jeremy’s unexpectedly bold possessiveness. But outside of their bedchambers, her groom’s guardedness quickly returns. Passion is no longer enough for sweet Charlotte, who vows to unlock the mystery of this complicated man. The truth, however, might be more than her principled heart is prepared to handle. . . .