House of Deravenel

On a bitterly cold day in 1904, the Deravenel family's future changes forever. When Cecily Deravenel tells her eighteen-year-old son Edward of the death of his father, brother, uncle, and cousin in a fire, a part of him dies as well. Edward and his cousin Neville Watkins are suspicious of the deaths. They vow to seek the truth, avenge the deaths, and retake control of their family's business empire. As he grows into a handsome, charismatic man, Edward is torn between duty and desire. There are women in his life for whom he'll risk everything—and one woman who might destroy him.

Edward Deravenel is the king of his company at last: a man who sought and won a business empire and the favors of many women. Now it is 1918, the war is over, an influenza epidemic is sweeping England, and Edward has a family and a business to protect. He must thread his way between his loyal brother, Richard, and the treacherous middle brother of the family, George. And the politics of inheritance are intense, as different family factions vie for the honor.

From the storytelling magic of Barbara Taylor Bradford comes a modern retelling of the drama and intrigue surrounding the 16th-century Queen Elizabeth. Instead of England, the throne is the business empire of the Deravenels. And this Elizabeth is the most powerful Managing Director in its history. Surrounded by rumors and betrayal, Elizabeth Deravenel must steer her company clear of takeovers.