Love is a gamble. Place your bets on the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society.
The women of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society gather every Wednesday for an on-going game of whist, but while most people play for money, the ladies of the Wagering Whist Society play for secrets. The person with the fewest number of points at the end of a game must divulge her deepest, darkest secret. Not a word of anyone’s secret may be divulged outside of the group, but that doesn’t mean that the ladies can’t offer assistance to anyone who needs it—and they all do at one point or another.
Love is what the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society does best. Whether it’s helping their own members or those close to them, the women of the Wagering Whist Society help couples arrange their cards just right.
The Ladies Wagering Whist Society Series books each stand alone, but here is the chronological order of the books:
A Hand for the Duke, Book 1
Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help an impoverished modiste win the hand of a sought-after Duke?
Tina Rowan wants nothing more than to be free of her past, but can an ill-dressed duke be the one to help this modiste? With her help, the Duke of Warwick can introduce his sister to society, but he may just lose his heart in the process. It will take the combined efforts of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to see this difficult hand well played.
Jack of Diamonds, Book 2
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help a young woman with a dark secret allow light and love into her heart?
Lydia Sheffield is the darling of every party but she’s got a secret lurking within her—one that will keep her from ever taking a risk on love. Lord John Welles has a secret of his own, but Miss Sheffield has discovered it, noticing what no one else has but there is a price for her silence: a fake engagement for the season. It will take the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to help John win his diamond.
The Games She Played, Book 3
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help an extroverted sportswoman and a dedicated scientist resolve matters of the heart?
Diana and her father racehorses, but when a heart-attack fells him a physician is needed. The charming lord doctor is so very distracting while Diana is trying to make good on a bet her father made. Lord Colburne only wants to saves lives. The possibility of winning the heart of one of his patients just adds to his determination. Delve into the world of Regency horseracing and medicine in this sweet romance where it will take the efforts of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to have a healthy outcome.
Christmas in the Cards
A Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society Christmas Novella
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help a gentleman to believe in a Christmas miracle?
The joyful and lovely Rachel Corbyn may be dedicated to helping her father’s parishioners stay healthy and happy but a delicious flirtation with the Duke of Warwick’s handsome secretary last spring awoke a desire she hadn’t even realized was lurking within her. Despite his silence since then, she wonders if she can tease the serious man enough to reignite their friendship if nothing else.
Martin Arbeit had decided long ago to dedicate himself to his employer and his work. The beautiful Miss Corbyn is upsetting all of his plans. She makes him smile and even laugh! She makes him happy—an emotion he’s tried to remove from his life so as to be the best secretary to the duke. But when the ladies of the Wagering Whist Society put thoughts of romance into his head, he finds himself unable to resist the idea—and Miss Corbyn.
A night in a manger, three wise men, and the miracle of birth on Christmas morning turn all the cards in Martin’s favor. How can he possibly resist the most precious gift of all—love?
A Trick of Mirrors, Book 4
Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help sort out a love quadrangle?
Bee Kendrick need to keep her rebellious twin, Bel, safe. But can Bel ensure her practical sister will get her own chance at romance? The answers lie with two interested gentlemen—and the wiles of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society.
A Bid for Romance, Book 5
Can the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society help a duke’s sister find love where she would least expect it?
Lady Margaret refuses to believe she is as beautiful and charming as people say. With a deadline to marry, she knows she needs to rely on her friends’ help in putting herself forward, and now she’s even seeking out the support of her chaperone’s footman.
Tall, blond, and broad-shouldered, James Douglass, Marquess of Rossburke, has the looks of the perfect footman. This unexpected career path is unfortunately the only way the impoverished Scottish nobleman can find to support his passion for painting.
To make sure that love is well served, the Ladies of the Wagering Whist Society have to concoct their most devious plan to convince the footman to show his true hand.
An Affair of Hearts, Book 6
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society turn back the clock to restore the reputation of a lady maligned?
The lovely, kind Elizabeth, the Countess St. Vincent, is determined to re-enter Regency society now that she is widowed. Despite the years that have passed since her fiasco of a debut, one man still remembers and resurrects old rumors. With her reputation destroyed, so are her hopes. Can a newfound friend be the key to burying the past before the season ends?
Charles Aldridge is a watchmaker and businessman fighting to protect a centuries-old industry threatened with extinction. But he is distracted from his quest when he is dragged into the troubles of the beguiling Lady St. Vincent. Every chivalrous bone in his body insists he do all he can to help her. Yet, following his heart may mean jeopardizing his life’s mission.
The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society will have to play a clever hand to settle this Affair of Hearts… before time runs out.
Deck the Halls
A Ladies’ Wagering Whist Christmas Novella
Can the Ladies Wagering Whist Society help bring Christmas joy to a desperate man and a nurturing woman?
Quinn Ainsby wants only one thing for Christmas – for his mother and his aunt to end their thirty-year feud. When the ladies of the Wagering Whist Society suggest he host a Christmas house party, he knows it will be just thing to bring the two warring sisters together. What he doesn’t anticipate is his grandfather’s new caregiver, the beautiful Charlotte Moore. Not only can she deal with his grandfather, but does so with grace and an incredible sense of humor.
Charlie is just happy to have a roof over her head and someone to care for. After her father’s death left her with nowhere to go and no way to live, she is grateful her distant cousin was good enough to take her in and is more than happy to tend to the crotchety old man. But when her cousin’s grandson comes home, Charlie’s heart discovers that there’s more to life than just caring for the elderly and infirm–there are young, handsome men who need care as well.
When Christmas comes and the halls are decked with greenery there is no better time to find your true hearts’ desire.
Love in Spades, Book 7
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help a cloistered scientist discover love outside the garden?
Cassie Benton would much rather be breeding her beloved roses than dancing through the ballrooms of London. But at twenty-one, she longer has the choice to stay hidden in her garden. Now, Cassie is ready to brush the soil from her skirts and find the perfect husband. Her problem is that her scientific analysis is useless when she has to evaluate her feelings about an outlandish and exasperating gentleman.
Tall, blond, and blue-eyed, Archer Fitzwalter has always had to fend off the young ladies. So when he is instead dismissed out of hand by a girl with smudges of dirt on her dress, he takes that as a challenge. Before he knows it, he’s doing the most outlandish things to win her affections. Always one to follow his gut, Archer is confused by this young woman, who teaches him that sometimes it’s better to stop and think things through.
The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society will need to find a way to help Cassie and Archer bridge their differences and allow their love to bloom.
A Token of Love, Book 8
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help a scarred war veteran rediscover his ability to love?
Christopher Pennyston, the most beautiful boy at school, the most handsome man of the ton, returns from war horribly scarred. Forcing himself to return to London to care for his injured batman, he is devastated by people cringing at the sight of his disfigurement. But his biggest shock comes when a beautiful volunteer nurse ignores his scar and ignites his heart.
Ellen Aston, Lady Moreton, has devoted her life tending to others. After being told that her husband had been killed in the Napoleonic war, she turns her energy to caring for wounded soldiers. But despite her devotion to her injured wards, she yearns to find a way to break out of her humdrum life. The spark comes from an intriguing stranger, who lights the embers of her heart.
The Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society has to carefully play their hand, to help a woman eager to discover the world find love with a man who wants to hide from it.
King of Clubs, Book 9
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society ensure that two business rivals close the deal?
Joshua Powell, Lord Wickford, enjoys being the dashing, popular and successful owner of Powell’s Club for Gentlemen. But when he is nearly killed while riding through the streets of London, he realizes that he needs to find a wife and beget an heir. Joshua knows that his intended wife needs to be a lady from a well-esteemed family. So why is he constantly distracted by his business adversary’s sparkling beauty, sharp tongue, and dazzling mind?
Gwendolyn Sherman is fascinated with numbers and with figuring out the most efficient way to run her father’s business. So her father makes her a deal: he would allow her to anonymously start her own business – a club for ladies – only if she would stay in London and find a titled husband. But those Regency lords all seem to want her only for her dowry. All, of course, except for her biggest competitor, the annoyingly attractive Viscount Wickford.
It will be up to the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to win their last trick, by setting Joshua straight on his priorities. After all, the ace of hearts trumps the king of clubs.
Coming December 31, 2024
A Suitable New Year’s Revenge
A Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society Christmas Novella
Can the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society help a scholarly young lady take a dandy seriously?
Lady Helena Grant is about to become homeless. The moment her father dies—which will be within the month according to the doctor—her home will go to his heir, the Baron Hazelton. He has refused her plea to allow her to stay in the house. Now the only hope this bookish wallflower has is to apply to his son, the handsome Mr. Teviot, and pray that he has some sway over his father.
This would be Pine Teviot’s second Christmas away from his family. His father has forbidden him entrance to the family home unless he comes with a fiancée or wife on his arm. But Pine believes in love and hasn’t found it yet. When the lovely Lady Helena comes to him with her problem, he sees in her the perfect revenge—his father hates intelligent women. They hope that a fake engagement will both allow Pine to see his family over the holidays and get Helena a home. When his father objects to their marriage, she will agree not to marry Pine in exchange for the right to stay in her home.
What they don’t count on is the spark of attraction between them. It will take the delicate hand of the Ladies’ Wagering Whist Society to gently encourage those flames to grow.