First sons inherit all. Third sons are promised to the church. Second sons do their duty and serve in the military—unless fate intervenes and turns their lives upside down.
A self-assured earl who doesn't like rules. A poised beauty mature beyond her years. Neither thinks they want or need love. Major Owen Hasbury returns from the Napoleonic Wars as the new Earl of Danbury. He's ready to enjoy life and make love to as many women as he can before settling down and siring an heir. His attitude irks his two closest friends, men who have come into recent titles and made love matches. Louisa Goulding has a reputation as a bit of a bluestocking. She has served as her father's hostess since her mother's death years ago and has been an active part of the meetings in their home with her father's War Office colleagues, giving her little time for social events. With the war over, Louisa wants to fully participate in the Season and finally live a life for herself, finding a husband who will give her children. At the insistence of mutual friends, Louisa and Owen meet. She calls him out as a rake, telling him she won't waste any time on him. But her beauty and intelligence intrigue Owen. He becomes friends with Louisa, even teaching her how to kiss, finally realizing the perfect woman is right before him. Can Owen convince Louisa that he has changed—or will he lose her to another lord at the house party they attend together? Empowered by the Earl Educated by the Earl is book one in the Second Sons of London, a regency romance series where seven men—who are second sons—lay claim to fabulous wealth and lofty titles and fulfill their destinies upon finding their soulmates. All books in this series can be enjoyed as standalones.