Marina Oliver - Writer of Fiction and Non-Fiction

The Accidental Marriage

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 fiancee, 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?

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.

In future, Bella will concentrate on her scheme to house orphan children in small homes.

Then her enemies take a hand with fateful consequences.

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.