Consequences is a cautionary tale about the evils of hasty judgment, revisiting Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and one of those pivotal moments when Elizabeth Bennet throws away Mr. Darcy's offer of marriage so decisively. What transpires from that point is well known to Austen's extensive readership, but what if even one element in the chain of events in her novel turns out differently? Does Austen's happy ending eventually come to pass, or is the outcome more bleak? And if, in order to secure financial security for her loved ones, Elizabeth does not reject Darcy, is she married to a proud, arrogant, disdainful man who, as she feared, forces her to deny her own relatives and thus condemns her to a lifetime of misery? Or does she find herself married to a man who cares enough for her to reject the opposition of his family and chance his very standing in society in order to marry a woman he loves beyond measure? Consequences, written by the author of A Most Civil Proposal, explores two alternate realities-both tragedy and triumph.

It was a long time in coming, but in March 2014, marriage was finally opened up to same-sex couples in the way it has been enjoyed for so long by their opposite-sex counterparts. Marriage is the institution through which our lives are defined: we are married, divorced, single, or widowed. It gives shape to our family relationships. Through marriage, we have access to the words for the closest connections in our lives, such as aunts and uncles, grandparents and step-children. Marriage is an internationally recognised institution that eases international travel and work for spouses. It formalises a union using traditions we have built up and treasure. And marriage is the inspiration behind some of our our greatest cultural highlights: love poems and novels, films, music and songs. Whether we choose to embrace or accept marriage ourselves, for same-sex couples to have been denied that choice is for them to have been denied a human right. Changes will occur as traditions adjust to accommodate new ceremonies, but as Sophie Ward points out in this poignant Short, the history of marriage is one of constant change over the centuries. Drawing on her personal experience of both marriage and civil partnership, ‘A Marriage Proposal’ is a moving exploration of what the opening up of marriage means for couples, their families and society as a whole. It sets out why the argument was settled in the right manner. Above all, it is a celebration of the institution of marriage, of its traditions and of the paramount importance for each and every one of us to be able to choose whether or not to say, with absolute equality, “I do”.

Considers (84) S. 900, (84) S. 902, (84) S. 903, (84) H.R. 5205, (84) S.J. Res. 29, (84) S. Con. Res. 8, (84) S. 904, (84) S. 905, (84) S. 906, (84) S. 907, (84) S. 1089, (84) S. 3604, (84) S. 3605, (84) S. 3415, (84) S. 3717, (84) S. 3718.

What if Fitzwilliam Darcy had realized beforehand how his intended proposal would sound to the young woman he hoped to make his bride? What if he had attempted a much more civil and thoughtful proposal of marriage? Could Elizabeth Bennet have coldly and angrily rejected an offer made in such a manner? This variation on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" explores how the lives of the two main characters, their families, and friends might have turned out differently had Darcy realized his error beforehand and thus avoided being so forcefully instructed and corrected by the love of his life.

Two years have passed since the conclusion of the Shenandoah Sisters series, and Katie and Mayme are young women with big dreams, running Rosewood with the help of their two uncles and their friends Emma, Josepha, Jeremiah, and Henry. Jeremiah proposes to Mayme, but she is hesitant to accept. She loves him but does not want to give up her life at Rosewood. Local whites are furious at the Daniels brothers for harboring blacks at Rosewood and treating them like equals. The newly rising KKK kidnaps Jeremiah and plans to hang him. Will the brothers rescue him in time? Or will Mayme live to regret not saying yes to Jeremiah when she had the chance? Carolina Cousins Book 1

"A five-star job of sheerly delightful romance writing."— Chicago Sunday Tribune Can the wrong bride become the perfect wife? Adam Deveril, the new Viscount Lynton, is madly in love with the beautiful Julia Oversley. But he has returned from the Peninsular War to find his family on the brink of ruin and his ancestral home mortgaged to the hilt. He has little choice when he is introduced to Mr. Jonathan Chawleigh, a City man of apparently unlimited wealth and no social ambitions for himself-but with his eyes firmly fixed on a suitable match for his only daughter, the quiet and decidedly plain Jenny Chawleigh. What Readers Say: "Heyer always writes brilliantly and is capable of conveying the deepest emotions in the briefest of phrases and subtlest dialogue." "One of Heyer's most skillfully written novels." "Has all of Heyer's usual wit, vivid characters, and attention to detail." "One of my very favourite Heyers — and one of her most profound. Wise and heartwarming." "Thoughtful and thought-provoking ... reveals depths to Heyer's writing." "Truly a gem." Georgette Heyer wrote over fifty novels, including Regency romances, mysteries, and historical fiction. She was known as the Queen of Regency romance, and was legendary for her research, historical accuracy, and her extraordinary plots and characterizations.