When her father drops her on the doorstep of strangers, Isabella Marshton has no choice but to befriend Miss Louisa Hardwick and coexist with quiet Mr. Hardwick. But Louisa, while breathtakingly beautiful, has a strong personality. Seeking refuge in the famously lush gardens of Stenson Abbey, will Isabella end up in the arms of the high-strung miss, or will she learn to appreciate the charms of a calming mister?Edward Grubins is Deaf. That has caused plenty of problems in his life, but after moving to the countryside with his friend/employer Henry, things settled into a comfortable rhythm. That is, until a handsome stranger appears, seemingly around every corner. Worse, he hasn't found the right moment to tell the man he can't hear a word he's been saying. Despite his embarrassment, Edmund can't stay away from the enigmatic stranger with the halo of golden curls.Two love stories told concurrently with shared characters weaving them together, The Gossip and The Guest can be read as standalone (but it's richer as a sequel!)