Marina Oliver - Writer of Fiction and Non-Fiction

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.

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.

The Accidental Marriage

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.

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.