Scandal at the Dower House
To be published by Robert Hale in January 2010
When Walter, Catarina's elderly husband, dies she moves to the Dower House so that the new Earl, Nicholas, can give the estate to his soldier brother Jeremy. Because Jeremy is injured at Waterloo Nicholas has to spend time at Marshington.
Catarina's sister Joanna, who has been inveigled into a clandestine marriage, arrives in distress. She is pregnant, and is told her marriage was a sham. To protect her reputation Catarina takes her to visit their Portuguese mother's relatives, and then stay quietly in Lisbon. Joanna rejects the baby, and Catarina takes the child back to England after Joanna decamps with a Brazilian.
Meanwhile Catarina's young cook at the Dower House is murdered by Dan's jealous wife, who is transported, while Dan loses his job and lives wild in the woods. Jeremy offends the villages with his agricultural changes, and Nicholas is frustrated that he cannot contact Catarina.
When she returns with the baby, though, he does not know what to believe. Is the baby hers? Is it Walter's?
Supervising Sally
Published by Robert Hale July 2009
Phoebe is delighted at the opportunity to go to Brussels as companion to Sally, rather than be an unpaid governess to her sister Jane's unruly brood. Her hopes are dashed when Zachary, Earl of Wrekin, taking up a diplomatic post, says she is too young and refuses to escort her. She will be unable to control the rebellious Sally, who gets into more scrapes even before they leave London.
To Phoebe's relief, when she rescues Sally from a calamitous action, Zachary is persuaded to relent, though the company of Jane's overbearing husband and his unpleasant sisters on the journey is irritating to them all.
Then Napoleon escapes from Elba and everything is in turmoil for Phoebe.
- Robert Hale 2009
- ISBN 978-0-7090-8832-5
- Copyright © 2009 Marina Oliver
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A Disgraceful Affair
Sylvie Delamare is incredulous when Sir George, her crusty, reclusive, great-uncle sends her £20, saying it is half of what is left of her inheritance, due to her when she is twenty-one.
Her parents were wealthy, and Sylvie, furious, determines to go to Norfolk and confront him.
Meanwhile her friend Celia invites Sylvie to London where her aunt, Lady Carstairs, is to present her.
Aubrey Fortescue, young, romantic and impressionable, falls in love with Sylvie, which annoys his older cousin.
Sir Randal determines to foil any offer, as Aubrey is too young for marriage.
He is suspicious of Sylvie, whose father was French, after seeing her with a Frenchman.
M. Dupont is suspected of inciting rebellion and spying for Napoleon.
While following Dupont, who could be passing messages through smugglers, Sir Randal meets Sylvie in Norwich on her way to see Sir George.
He offers her a lift, and becomes embroiled in her affairs.
- Robert Hale 2008
- ISBN 978 0 7090-8701-2
- Copyright © 2008 Marina Oliver
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The Accidental Marriage
The Accidental Marriage was on the Long List for The Romantic Novel of the Year 2009
Julia has no portion, so can look forward to marriage only with an impecunious curate. Life as a governess or companion beckons.
When her sister Fanny, with her husband Sir Frederick and their daughters, go to Vienna to visit his grandmother, she seizes the chance to go as governess to her nieces. In Vienna the congress which is to settle the fate of Europe after the Napoleonic wars is gathering.
There she meets the attractive Sir Carey Fitzhugh, who has left his young fiancée, Angelica, behind in England. He is planning to return for a spring wedding, but becoming concerned at Angelica's infrequent letters.
When Fanny sets off for home with some friends, Julia and her maid follow in another, slower coach. But there is an accident to Julia's coach in Bavaria. She loses all her belongings and is penniless, a long way from home. How will she resolve her problem and who will help?
- Robert Hale 2008
- ISBN 978 0 7090 8548 5
- Ulverscroft Large Print 2009
- ISBN 978 1 84782 708 1
- Copyright © 2008 Marina Oliver
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Courting Lord Dorney
Rosabella Traherne is wealthy, thanks to her Nabob uncle. In Harrogate she is pursued because of her money, so decides to visit Bath incognito.
There she might find a man who loves her for herself.
Her cousin Jane, Lady Hodder, is persuaded to accompany her and lend her countenance.
Lord Dorney is wary of heiresses, since his brother was ruined by marriage to one. The despair of matchmaking mamas, he is attracted to Bella's spirited defence of hapless girls, children and dogs.
Bath breathlessly awaits developments, until Lord Dorney discovers Bella's deception and leaves for London.
In future, Bella will concentrate on her scheme to house orphan children in small homes.
Then her enemies take a hand with fateful consequences.
- Robert Hale 2007
- ISBN 978 0 7090 8422 8
- Copyright © 2007 Marina Oliver
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At the Earl's Command
When her grandfather, the Earl of Malvern, is dying and orders Kate Byford and her aunt to London after ignoring her all her life, she is highly indignant, but obeys.
However, Kate is less willing to obey his other edict, that she marries his heir, Adam Rhydd.
When the Earl dies, leaving her a huge inheritance provided she marries Adam, Adam sends her to an academy for young ladies.
Determined to escape Kate embroils various friends in her attempts, but Adam, as reluctant as Kate is to obey the Earl's bidding, continually foils her.
- Robert Hale 2007
- ISBN 978 0 7090 8256 3
- Copyright © 2007 Marina Oliver
