SOLVED. Regency romance, reclusive inventor, house fire. [s]

[Brittany]

I read this book in paperback at least 5 years ago, but the book itself could be much older. It is set in 19th century England. I don't remember anything about the main characters, but a secondary character was very memorable and I know his story was the next book, which is what I am trying to find (no idea how many books were in the series). The secondary character was reclusive, I believe due to some scarring or handicap of some sort that made him uncomfortable in social situations. He was very intelligent and spent his time on the upper floor of his fathers estate putting together inventions (this was looked down upon by family, I believe). Near the end of the book there was an engagement party for the main characters, or some sort of ball at the estate and a fire broke out. Everyone got out except for the inventor and someone who went up there looking for him (brother, maybe? Could have been a woman, though). They were trapped and the only way to get out was to use one of his inventions he hadn't tested before - think hang gliderish thingy.
It was a female author and the book was at least 300 pages.
That's all I remember. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Kris]

Defying the Earl by Anabelle Bryant?

One GR reviewer says: "His estate is almost in ruin. Valerian St. David, the handsome Duke of Dashwood is in dire straights after having inherited his title and all the debt along with it, as well as a spendthrift gambling, inventor of a brother who always sees the bright side of things instead if facing the problems head on..."

[Brittany]

That isn't it, unfortunately, but thank you. I don't remember there being any money troubles or gambling in the book I read. And the inventor brother definitely never saw the bright side of things, was very serious and shy due to his handicap, but I don't remember what the handicap or deformity was.
This book looks interesting, though. Thanks again!

[Brittany]

Bump

[Kris]

A shot in the dark - Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas? Hathaways series link - www.goodreads.com/series/43172-the-ha...

Can you describe some of his inventions?

[Aerulan]

Probably not it but worth mentioning just in case, I believe Celeste Bradley's Worthington series has an inventor brother amongst the family that's getting paired off in the books.
When She Said I Do is the first book in the series.

[Ruzza]

Aerulan wrote: "Probably not it but worth mentioning just in case, I believe Celeste Bradley's Worthington series has an inventor brother amongst the family that's getting paired off in the books.
[book:When She S..."

Oh thank you... I knew there was a series I read with an inventor I just couldn't remember which one :)

[Mir]

The part with the escape by hang-glider sounds like Midsummer Moon. The heroine is the inventor and the hero is trying to get her to invent something to help England win the war with France.

[Brittany]

Thank you for all the suggestions above, but unfortunately none ring a bell. The only invention I clearly remember is the hang glider as it was an important part of the ending.
It is definitely a man who is the inventor and I believe it takes place after defeating Napolean.
I'm not 100% on all of these, but I don't believe it is anything by Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn, Candace Camp, Lisa Kleypas or Courtney Milan.
*Is part of a series, but not the first book
*Adult Historical Romance, but not considered erotic
*Most likely takes place after Napoleon Bonaparte defeated
*Reclusive inventor, injured or scarred-possibly from the war
*Family had a large country estate where he had a 'lab' on the top floor
*Viewed as odd by family for being more interested in books and inventing than being a part of Ton society
*Brother or cousin was the hero in the previous book in the series
*Estate had a fire in previous book and the inventor brother escaped by hang gliding off the roof (did not call it hang glider in book)
*Published at least 6 years ago
*Soft Cover with at least 300 pages

[Kris]

Brittany wrote: "...They were trapped and the only way to get out was to use one of his inventions he hadn't tested before - think hang gliderish thingy..."

Would you say this isn't a steampunk (sci fi) romance but rather a straightforward historical romance?

[Brittany]

Definitely straightforward historical romance

[Brittany]

I may have found it in the bowels of Listopia! England's Perfect Hero sounds really familiar, but I don't know if that's because I've read the description a few times in my search. I'm marking this as possibly solved and will update it when I know for sure.

[Deborah]

The Defiant One by Danelle Harmon. He's an inventor, escaped from a fire in the previous book and reclusive.

Is this it?

[Brittany]

That has to be it! Thank you!!! I only had the first book in the series in my read list, but I remember reading the 2nd one now, so it must be the third book The Defiant One.
Thank you! I thought about this book daily.

[Deborah]

Brittany wrote: "That has to be it! Thank you!!! I only had the first book in the series in my read list, but I remember reading the 2nd one now, so it must be the third book The Defiant One.
Thank..."
You are so welcome. It is, indeed, the third book in the series. A personal favorite!