What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

A couple meet at a party. The guy needs to find a rich wife as he lives with his mother and niece on a rundown estate set in England, and the girl is sick of dating and would like to settle down and is excited to be able to renovate a great house/manor. I think she may have had an oriental grandmother because of her eyes. Their names might be John, Anne or Jane; however, it has been so long, I am probably completely wrong with their names.
The mother tends to the large gardens with the help of two elderly gentlemen from the village and they have a new butler that the shy mother quite likes.
The niece has horses and they hire a stable hand to help and she falls in love with him. I think her name might be Sarah.
John, Anne/Jane settle into life together very well with lots of sex, and eventually fall in love without letting the other know.
His sister visits and brings home a boyfriend who I think maybe a writer.
They hold a type of ball (maybe masquerade) after quite a lot of renovation has been completed, and the mother gets a bit tipsy and flirts with the butler. The niece has sex with the stable hand then he leaves the next morning to join the Foreign Legion and Sarah discovers she is pregnant.
Anne/Jane also is pregnant and confesses her love which he admits to as well.
The mother meets up with the butler (name maybe Pierce) at a friend’s place and they both do not acknowledge that they know each other. They then start dating and eventually marry.
The second book is focused on the new staff, especially the girl in charge of hiring the chef and gardeners. I have been looking for these books for years and would appreciate any help anyone can give. Thank you, Kym
\

What time period did the book take place? Was it historical regency? Where did it take place?

My initial guesses:
To Marry an Heiress
Marriage Made in Money & the sequel Marriage Made in Shame?

Maybe check this list?
http://www.likesbooks.com/moc.html

Thanks for your help. Modern times and English setting with the large manor home and land. I do remember the couple holding a masquerade ball and the mother getting a little tipsy and flirting with the butler.
I will check out your list and thank you again.
Kym

Hi SparksofEmber,

Unfortunately not in the list. Thanks again for trying

Kym

Bump

Kym, normal bump period is 30 days.

I'm sorry. I realised this after looking at other peoples threads after I bumped.

Hi, still looking and think it has now turned into an obsession.
Thanks

When did you read this series, about?

Could be between 10-15 years ago. Author 99% sure is female and will know as soon as I see the name. I have checked every MOC list I can find and still no luck. Thanks for your help

Kym, can you tell us more about heroine - job, background, family, personality, etc.? Why does she agree to the marriage?

I'd suggest adding "contemporary romance" to your Topic header. At first glance, this theme made me think of historical romances.

Can you think of a romance author who writes novels similar to the one you're looking for?

Hi Kris, she is a rich heiress and his father had just died, leaving him responsible for his mother and niece. He is honest with her regarding needing a rich wife and the idea of living on an estate appeals to her as she is sick of living in the city and dating.
She is kind hearted and a romantic at heart so when she learns the niece has fallen for the stable guy, she tries to help. The man however, does not approve as he is protective of his niece, feels she is too young and warns him to stay away. I think that is when he decided to leave and join the foreign legion.
It all comes to a head at the ball with the mother flirting with the Butler and the niece seducing the stable hand. He leaves the next day and she soon discovers she is pregnant.
The mother and butler soon start an affair and when discovered, the heroine is delighted, the hero shocked. He soon accepts the situation, throwing a wedding at the estate for them.
I feel there is a 3rd book in this series as I would think the stable guy would come back to find her and learn he has a son.
The only authors I can think I was reading back then would be the Jilly Cooper Riders series and this writing style is nowhere near the same. I keep checking English authors names with no luck as yet.
This is such a well run group thanks to the great job the moderators do with the help of the members. Even if I do not find my books, I will keep checking to see if I can help others.
Thanks again,
Kym

All My Worldly Goods by Anne Weale Jules solved it. My new best friend.