Agnes Strickland (1796–1874) and her sister Elizabeth collaborated on many biographical projects. They were pioneering historical biographers and key figures in the development of women's history. Writing from a female perspective, they included coverage of domestic matters that male historians had previously ignored. Although much of the work is Elizabeth's, she preferred to avoid publicity and her sister Agnes appeared as the sole author. This eight-volume series (originally published between 1850 and 1859) was the sequel to their hugely popular Lives of the Queens of England and allowed Agnes to indulge her passionate interest in Mary, Queen of Scots, to whom five volumes are devoted. Volume 2 (1851) continues the account of Mary of Lorraine and moves on to her sister-in-law Lady Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. Thoroughly researched and referenced, it describes both the personal and political aspects of their lives.

Item contains chapters from books, poems and extracts from literature as well as plates of work by the artist.

After her distraught sister told her that her fiancé’s older brother, Santos, wouldn’t give them his blessing to marry, Georgina decided to speak with Santos herself. The brothers’ father left a will saying the first son to marry would inherit the family business, which is why Santos won’t support their marriage. Georgina asked Santos to allow her sister’s marriage anyway, but Santos turned her down flat. That’s when she decided to propose to him. “Why don’t you and I get married so that you can inherit your father’s business? Then we can get divorced.”

Photographer Emma was betting on this job to make her sister’s dream come true. If she can get an interview with Nikolai’s family in Russia, then her chance might come. But Nikolai immediately captivates her heart and they spend a night together. He tells her about his family’s unhappy past, but later Nikolai wonders if she went as far as to sleep with him just for an article. Emma gives up on their ephemeral love, but what will happen when Nikolai learns that she’s carrying his child?

I can't lose my heart to an arrogant millionaire… Lydia discovers that she was used as collateral for a loan by her missing father. In exchange for the huge debt her father incurred, she's supposed to marry Raul, the arrogant millionaire who once insulted her. He looks at Lydia with the same cool eyes as before and proposes a contractual marriage for two years, threatening to seize her beloved grandmother's house if she does not accept. When Lydia accepts his terms, Raul takes her to Madrid and kisses her passionately in front of the media, publicizing their marriage!

"Let’s break up, Lisa." Those words broke her heart. Max was a pro football player whose career was destroyed after an accident. Lisa dedicated her life to supporting him, and now he suddenly wants out? Devastated, Lisa is ready to leave, but Max pulls her in for one last kiss. Little does she know that one last night with him will lead to a pregnancy and an unthinkable proposal…

“I want you to play my perfect fiancée.” That’s what Dante Mancini, a notorious playboy who regularly makes the front page of gossip magazines, said to Piper. Two months ago, they met at a party where she was working as a waitress. She couldn’t resist Dante’s devilish charm and irresistible looks and ended up giving him her virginity. She found out a couple months later that she was pregnant, and when she visits him to tell him the news, he quickly seeks to use it to his advantage. But there’s no way Piper could enter a fake arrangement just so that Dante can improve his public image…or could she?

Her outrageous marriage plan... Kaliana urgently needs a husband! It’s the only way to save her family from financial ruin. So she shockingly proposes to billionaire Rafe Casella. They may have spent one red-hot night in his bed, but Kaliana’s rules are clear. Their arrangement is pure convenience, nothing more. Since her fiancé’s death, she’s fiercely guarded her heart... Yet Rafe has his own agenda—a marriage could secure his rightful inheritance, but only if it appears to be real! Can they keep things strictly business when their pretend relationship starts to feel anything but?