The Dowager's Daughter — Mona Prevel

A Lady With A Fortune
Althea Markham is a young woman with responsibilities, not the least of which is providing her family with a male heir. Of course, that would entail marrying, and for a lady too proud to entertain a sparse collection of gold-diggers and rogues, the prospects are exceedingly dim. Even as she shoulders the burdens of being an unattached countess, Althea must keep a close eye on her freewheeling French mother, who tends to act more the debutante than the dowager. It seems she's been meeting at midnight with a mysterious man--and Althea is determined to get to the bottom of his intentions--whoever he is...


A Gentleman With A Mission
Recently jilted and weary of living in his older brother's shadow, John Ridley is ready for a distraction. And what a distraction he gets when he engages in a game of espionage against the French. Posing as a smuggler, John's main contact is a lady by the name of Celeste Markham. But while Celeste is the portrait of glittering charm, it is her protective daughter Althea who captures John's attention. His determination to avoid affairs of love soon gives way to the realization that his feelings for Althea extend beyond affairs of state. Now, John must convince her that he is more than a spy, and more than worthy to safeguard her future--and her heart.