Historical context: By the time the Powers had caged Napoleon Bonaparte (Boney) his armies had ravaged all Europe. Only little England remains unscathed but for her soldiers. Her citizens were only touched emotionally. Soldiers return to crowds of hero-worshipers. The younger brother of the guillotined Louis 16th is propped up on the throne of France vacated by the Emperor Napoleon. But the ogre's old Grande Armee chafes on the bit of idleness and King Louis's aristocrats pant for revenge. Story: Peacetime is no more tranquil than wartime for some families. The Darnleys are in debt. What is the solution? Their children must marry money. But while showing obedience, the siblings form their own ideas. Could the perfect partners fall for them? Could they fall for the perfect partners? Do perfect partners even exist? Politics refuses to bury the past. Covered intrigues and grudges must surface. Secrets decades old collide and rock foundations. Reputation and wealth is everything. War might return. Extract: "You are three-and-twenty and have been nine months in the army. You are inclined to kick up larks, gamble, game, bet, and flirt with actresses. You want taming. In a few words, you want a wife. Our house is on a financial precipice. Any gust of wind could push us onto the rocks below. We want wealth. Look about you at this season's debutants. Neglect the belles backstage. Look around you with a keen and serious eye. Before you have only inspected society beauties with a mind for dalliance. Now inspect them for the qualities that might suit you in a wife. I cannot dictate them. You are familiar with your own tastes. Let her be decent. Let her be comely and, above all, let her be wealthy." Completing this speech, Lord Darnley placed his fingertips together and awaited his son's response with a touch of his former anxiety.

"Lucas, you must return home." These enigmatic words are all the preparation young Lucas Bywood receives when he is summoned home early from his Grand Tour. He little expects the tangle of obligations that ensnares him from the moment he sets foot on the family estate. His best friend caught up in gambling debts, his father forcing him into an arranged marriage with a young woman he dislikes and who is in love with another, and his mother struggling to recover from a suspicious riding accident... Faced with pressure from all sides, Lucas wants nothing more than to turn around and escape back to the continent. However, he cannot leave without solving the mystery of his mother's accident. Finding the answer will take more than his usual stubbornness, and Lucas soon finds himself out of his depth. What is a young man to do when everything that can go wrong seems determined to do so?

Paris has fallen. Europe is in ruins. The man responsible? Napoleon Bonaparte, short, morose, dictatorial, conquered the hearts of France by his charm, conquered the countries of Europe by his sword, refuses to give up even as the Great Powers shove him off his throne and coop him up far from his beloved France, near his native Corsica, where his career kicked off. What will be his fate? An island exile or a brilliant comeback? Complete short story

A guide to Regency England for readers of classic literature or historical fiction set in the early 19th century. England, as it was in the early 1800's, can sometimes be as confusing to a modern reader as travelling to a foreign country. Their clothes, manners, methods of transport, money and even some words they used can be unfamiliar to us today. I hope this book will grow into a helpful source of reference for any reader who is exploring the classic authors, like Jane Austen and Maria Edgeworth, or enjoying the wide range of early 19th century set historical stories found here at Wattpad.

2019 WATTY WINNER FOR HISTORICAL FICTION. Charity loves Ian. Ian thinks Charity is an incorrigible flirt and he is certainly not tempted. Not one bit! Or at least that's what he tells himself... Bright, optimistic, and a bit naïve, Charity Crewe has always been in love with Ian Douglass. And it would certainly help if he loved her back... just a little bit! Though Ian was raised on the estate and generously given lessons with the Crewe siblings, no one, especially Ian, has ever forgotten he is the housekeeper's son. Charity might not care what anyone thinks of her, but Ian certainly does, so he is determined to protect her reputation as well as his own. He's worked too hard to secure his position to risk his livelihood, not to mention his mother's. He has discouraged her affections at every turn... with only a few moments of weakness. However, while Charity is away gaining some polish, circumstances drastically change and Charity must decide if she is willing to risk everything, even complete and utter ruin, in pursuit of the man she loves. Authors notes: This is Book One of The Crewe Legacy, a four-book series in progress, involving the Crewe siblings and other characters you'll meet along the way. I hope you enjoy Ian and Charity's story and that everyone else intrigues you! CONTENT WARNING: this story contains some mature sexual content, descriptions of spousal abuse, child abuse, murder, and suicide.

☆♡Complete♡☆ Katherine Wheaton's life has been one of simplicity and cheerful labor, with a loving family and good friends. Being the lowly daughter of a farmer never bothered her, until through unexpected circumstances she becomes a companion to a Baroness. She is then thrust into the glamor, luxury, deceit, and prejudice of the Beau Monde. What readers saying!: "You are a wizard with words...Thanks for letting us read this gem of a story!" - @poornima1998 "Thank you for sharing all your hard work with your many readers and fans. Well done!!" - @EleanorValenti "Your writing is so beautiful! The way you describe everything makes me feel like I'm in a dream!" - anonymous

The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. I do not own the story. Just thought of putting this great swash-buckling, adventures of the original superhero. copy from Project Gutenberg. If you thought the Pimpernel had it rough with Chauvelin on his trail, try adding Citizens Robespierre, Couthon, Louis Antoine St. Just, and the beautiful Theresia Cabarrus, fiancée of Tallien. Robespierre becomes paranoid about the Pimpernel and must have him destroyed. Theresia is sent to seduce the elusive hero. And, just to make certain everything goes according to his plan, Chauvelin has Marguerite kidnapped and imprisoned! Can Percy continue to disguise himself as Rateau and get away with it? Can Robespierre maintain power when betrayal is stirring in every corner? Will Marguerite be rescued without suffering the death of her husband? Will Chauvelin ever learn to tie his cravat properly?! Or will this be the end of the Scarlet Pimpernel!?

A Comedy Don Pedro and his soldiers return from war, covered in glory, stopping at Signior Leonato's in Messina. Count Claudio, Don Pedro's lieutenant, has fallen in love with Hero and begs Don Pedro to arrange the marriage with Leonato, Hero's father. Beatrice and Benedick, hurt from a previous relationship together, swear to remain single all their lives. Their friends conspire to bring them together. Don John, Don Pedro's illegitimate brother, seeks to disrupt all. Uploaded from Gutenberg.org.

Mam'zelle Guillotine by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. I do not own the story. Just thought of putting this great swash-buckling, adventures of the original superhero. copy from Project Gutenberg. "The King of France is attacked with a knife and Francois Damiens is arrested. He remains silent about the noblemen behind the plot, which was meant as a warning only for the King to change his ways. Damiens' daughter, Gabrielle, sets out to confront those responsible. Blackmail is her intention. However, she becomes involved with the Vicomte Fernand along the way and ends up living in luxury, but loses all when he marries the King's daughter and she resorts once again to blackmail. She is imprisoned, but then released from the Bastille when it is stormed during the Revolution. Hungry for revenge, she becomes the only female executioner for the new Republic and is known as Mam'zelle Guillotine."