The Dreadful Debutante

Mira's heart had belonged to lord Charles since she was a child, yet he only had eyes for her ever-perfect sister. When her jealous antics nearly ruin her socially, the marquess of Grantley decides it is up to him to restore her respectability.

From the New York Times–bestselling author: An “engaging romp” featuring a marquess determined to make a marriageable woman out of a tomboy debutante (Library Journal). Arranging a season for an unruly young lady whose habit is to enter drawing rooms by sliding down banisters presents a challenge at best—especially since the boisterous Mirabelle Markham has a sister of incomparable grace. Mira isn’t daunted at all by high society’s ridiculous marriage mart. Her heart belongs to Lord Charles Devere, and always has. Alas, Charles only has eyes for her ever-perfect sister, Drusilla. But the Marquess of Grantley rather enjoys Mira’s jealous antics—until she goes too far and pushes her sister into the fountains. Now it’s up to Grantley to restore Mira to respectability and make her an eligible bride once again. Yet when he succeeds, the smitten Marquess begins to wish he’d left well enough alone . . . The Dreadful Debutante is a delightful regency romance in the Royal Ambition series from Marion Chesney, writing as M.C. Beaton, New York Times–bestselling author of the popular Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, both of which have been adapted for TV by the BBC and PBS.

A collection of seven Regency romps that draw you into a world of seduction, scandal, and sin—from the New York Times bestselling author. The Dreadful Debutante: When Miss Mira Markham takes her hoydenish ways to London, she unexpectedly lights up the Season—and makes a most unexpected match. The Savage Marquess: An innocent country vicar’s daughter enters into a marriage of convenience with a depraved nobleman—and realizes she may be in over her head. Miss Fiona’s Fancy: Fiona risks everything—including her heart—when she bets that she’ll catch the attention of the handsome and eligible Marquess of Cleveden. The Viscount’s Revenge: His attraction to an impoverished woman threatens Lord Charles Hawksborough’s impending marriage—and exposes a dangerous secret. The Chocolate Debutante: While braving the treacherous waters of London Society to help her niece find a match, bluestocking Harriet Tremayne doesn’t count on attracting the attentions of a lord . . . Lady Margery’s Intrigue: Forced to snare a rich husband, a confirmed spinster never plans on falling in love—especially with a man she simply can’t stand. The Paper Princess: Fleeing an unwanted marriage match, a woman impersonates a princess. But Lord Arthur Bessamy sees through her deception—and sets her heart on fire. Praise for M. C. Beaton and her novels “The best of the Regency writers.” —Kirkus Reviews “A delightful tale . . . romance fans are in for a treat.” —Booklist “Nicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humor and adventurous spirit.” —Publishers Weekly

Arranging a season for an unruly young lady whose habit was to enter drawing rooms by sliding down banisters presented a challenge at best - especially since the hoydenish Mira had a sister of incomparable grace and beauty. Mira wasn't daunted at all by the local society and its ridiculous marriage mart. Her heart belonged to Lord Charles, who had been the object of her dreams ever since she was a child. Alas, Charles had eyes only for her ever-perfect sister, Drusilla. Along the sidelines, the Marquess of Grantley was enjoying Mira's jealous antics - although pushing her sister into the fountains had practically ruined her social cachet. It was up to him to restore her to respectability and make her an eligible bride once again. Yet when he succeeded, the lovelorn Marquess began to wish he had left well enough alone.

Amidst the glamour of high society, a tawdry secret will change Lily’s life forever... 1958. The last year debutantes will be presented at court to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nicholls agrees to debut and do the Season – a glittering and gruelling string of endless balls and cocktail parties. There she befriends two women: aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career after helping her parents find their place among the elite. But the sparkle of the Season dims when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a murky past, what will she choose for her future: her family legacy, or her own, uncertain happiness? A fast-paced and compelling historical novel for fans of Kate Morton and The Crown. Praise for The Last Dance of the Debutante "Between the crinkling of crinolines and the popping of champagne corks, Last Dance of the Debutante leads us on a glorious dance through the traditional glamour and suffocating expectations of a bygone era." Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters across the Sea "Julia Kelly elegantly brings to life the last official presentation of debutantes at court with her exquisitely researched and beautiful written detail. This story was so decadent, I wanted to don silk and crinoline and read it with a glass of champagne." Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London "Refreshing, intriguing, oozing with elegance, and with three female leads who will keep you thoroughly engrossed, a charming gem of a novel which will delight fans of The Crown." Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter "An insightful and engaging look at this neglected subject ... an unforgettable journey of a young woman's liberation." Piper Huguley, author of By Design: the story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret "Peels back layers of lush glamour and the extraordinary expectations of the London Season to give us a glimpse into a world teetering on the brink of change and the choices facing those who navigated it. Woven with heartfelt emotion, this novel is a captivating, unforgettable story of one woman's journey to find love, truth, and, most importantly, herself." Kelly Bowen, author of The Paris Apartment "Kelly's descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time." Booklist "The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace... Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life." Publishers Weekly

A young lady's tarnished reputation might cost her everything in this first book in the Disreputable Debutantes series. Shy, bookish Sophie Brightwell is expected to make an advantageous match to improve her family's fortunes. However, Sophie's plans to make a spectacular debut go horribly awry when she and her three closest friends are expelled from a young ladies' academy for unbecoming conduct. Since the ton will be sure to close their doors on these disgraced debutantes, they determine that unconventional means need to be employed in the husband-hunting market. Rakehells—the beau monde's wickedest members—might be the only men willing to overlook a young lady's besmirched reputation. But how does one catch a rake? Nate Hastings, the devil-may-care Viscount Malverne, is the older brother of Sophie’s best friend, fellow disgraced debutante Lady Charlotte. When a terribly foxed Nate accidentally compromises Sophie, Charlotte strikes a wicked bargain: in order to avoid a scandal and the parson's mousetrap, Nate must help Sophie snare a husband. But as Nate fulfills his obligation and begins to instruct the lovely Sophie in the art of luring rakes, he soon finds himself battling his own fierce attraction to her.

Vivienne Lorret, the USA Today bestselling author of The Maddening Lord Montwood, begins a new series with a scandalous bet that could turn one quiet woman into the most desirable debutante of the season. From the Season Standard: “A true Season’s Original embodies the class, grace, and style of the ton. Such an honor ensures the recipient her pick of eligible suitors…” Lilah Appleton’s prospects are looking dim. With one last chance to find a titled husband before she’s forced to wed her wretched cousin, she must make this Season count. Plain, forgettable Lilah must become the Season’s Original. Desperate, she seeks help from the devilishly charming, untitled, and thoroughly unsuitable Jack Marlowe. All she must do now is resist the tempting rogue… Bastard son and self-made man, Jack Marlowe loathes the aristocracy. When he meets Lilah, he expects her to be like all the other greedy husband-hunters. But she’s far more dangerous. Her alluring smiles and sharp tongue intrigue him. Before he knows it, he agrees to help her find a husband, revealing tricks to ensnare any man. The only problem is, his plan works too well—on him. When Lilah becomes the belle of the ball, Jack realizes he may lose her forever—unless he can take a chance on love and claim his debutante... An Avon Romance

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Having bound the wild, dark magic of the realms to her, Gemma has forged unlikely and unsuspected new alliances both with the headstrong Felicity and timid Ann, Kartik, the exotic young man whose companionship is forbidden, and the fearsome creatures of the realms. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test those bonds. As her friendship with Felicity and Ann faces its gravest trial, and with the Order grappling for control of the realms, Gemma is compelled to decide once and for all which path she is meant to take. Pulled forward by fate, the destiny Gemma faces threatens to set chaos loose, not only in the realms, but also upon the rigid Victorian society whose rules Gemma has both defied and followed. Where does Gemma really belong? And will she, can she, survive?

In this sizzling tale of irresistible temptation, an attractive businesswoman goes to London in search of a husband, only to find herself ignored by the "ton." When she recruits a handsome bachelor to help her attract men of distinction, business soon mixes with pleasure. Original.

Seventeen-year-old Agnes Wilkins is about to make her debut into 1815 London society at a lavish party, where she meets Lord Showalter, a wealthy and eligible man who collects Egyptian antiquities and who is hiding a dangerous secret.