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Marriage is for dupes and fools. It is a truth Lord Whiddon has witnessed firsthand and more than once. He’s been distraught, watching his closest friends fall one by one—and he’s determined to avoid parson’s mousetrap himself.
He’s surprised, then, to find himself in sympathy with a pretty, young debutante, in Town for the Season and determined to find herself a husband. But Miss Charlotte Mayne is a challenge and a worthy verbal sparring partner, with unique vision and a vulnerability that only he seems to see. He can’t marry her himself, but he deigns to help her in her quest. Well. Best laid plans and all of that. Misfortune—and a spiteful adversary—strikes, and the pair finds themselves forced to wed. Whiddon vows it will be a marriage in name only, but Charlotte wants more. She marshals her wit, determination and probing insight and plans her siege, but she’s up against Whiddon’s stubbornness, the ghosts of his past, and the maneuverings of their foes. Will fiery passion and fledgling love be enough to conquer the obstacles in their path—and their own fears? |
Excerpt
He saw her safely into the boat and stepped in as a footman helped to launch it. Taking up the oars, he began to row them out as she sat smiling, her face turned into the rays of the sinking sun.
“What was that nonsense about my archery skills?” he asked gruffly, to distract himself from the lovely picture she made.
She shaded her brow with a hand and smirked at him. “I had an idea to add to your list.”
“List?”
“Of pranks. Misdeeds. The things you would do if you were free of consequences.”
“Oh. That list.”
“Yes.”
“Am I to skewer someone? Someone you don’t care for, I presume?”
“No.” She paused. “And yes.”
“Pick one.”
She laughed. “Well, you see, there are still a few high sticklers who will not receive me or my aunt.”
“No!”
“Yes. Even though my aunt debuted with some of them, herself.”
“They are probably some of the same stick-in-the-mud ladies who will not invite me into their drawing rooms, either.”
“Even better. I thought it would be incredibly funny if you invaded their sanctuaries dressed as a cupid. You could shoot them with arrows padded in red velvet and announce you’ve come to fill their cold hearts with love.”
“I—” He stopped, torn between horror and laughter. It sounded just like one of Chester’s plans. He could picture it so clearly in his head.
“That’s twice today!” she crowed. “Oh, I am going to make it a goal to flummox you speechless at least once at each encounter, my lord. It’s great fun and terribly satisfying.”
“Cupids are naked,” he said with gruff disapproval.
“Not all of them,” she countered. “Some wear charming, short tunics slung over one shoulder. Of course, I would never recommend you go into a drawing room nude.”
“Of course, you would not.” He rolled his eyes. “In any case, my list is quite rounded out. It’s your list that needs filling. It makes more sense if you traipse about as a cherub—and please, do warn me ahead of time, for I’d dearly love to see you in such a get-up.”
She gave him a twist of a grin. “Ah, well. It was worth a try.”
“What was that nonsense about my archery skills?” he asked gruffly, to distract himself from the lovely picture she made.
She shaded her brow with a hand and smirked at him. “I had an idea to add to your list.”
“List?”
“Of pranks. Misdeeds. The things you would do if you were free of consequences.”
“Oh. That list.”
“Yes.”
“Am I to skewer someone? Someone you don’t care for, I presume?”
“No.” She paused. “And yes.”
“Pick one.”
She laughed. “Well, you see, there are still a few high sticklers who will not receive me or my aunt.”
“No!”
“Yes. Even though my aunt debuted with some of them, herself.”
“They are probably some of the same stick-in-the-mud ladies who will not invite me into their drawing rooms, either.”
“Even better. I thought it would be incredibly funny if you invaded their sanctuaries dressed as a cupid. You could shoot them with arrows padded in red velvet and announce you’ve come to fill their cold hearts with love.”
“I—” He stopped, torn between horror and laughter. It sounded just like one of Chester’s plans. He could picture it so clearly in his head.
“That’s twice today!” she crowed. “Oh, I am going to make it a goal to flummox you speechless at least once at each encounter, my lord. It’s great fun and terribly satisfying.”
“Cupids are naked,” he said with gruff disapproval.
“Not all of them,” she countered. “Some wear charming, short tunics slung over one shoulder. Of course, I would never recommend you go into a drawing room nude.”
“Of course, you would not.” He rolled his eyes. “In any case, my list is quite rounded out. It’s your list that needs filling. It makes more sense if you traipse about as a cherub—and please, do warn me ahead of time, for I’d dearly love to see you in such a get-up.”
She gave him a twist of a grin. “Ah, well. It was worth a try.”
Reviews
This book is a 10+ star in my opinion.. oh my goodness it was sooooooooo good..
I enjoyed the story from beginning to end.
----Nicole, Goodreads Reviewer
5 Stars-- I much enjoyed watching Charlotte take matters in hand and find her footing...
And seeing again the friends banding together was much entertaining, as the women stepping in to welcome Charlotte in their folds.
----Elodie's Reading Corner
I enjoyed the story from beginning to end.
----Nicole, Goodreads Reviewer
5 Stars-- I much enjoyed watching Charlotte take matters in hand and find her footing...
And seeing again the friends banding together was much entertaining, as the women stepping in to welcome Charlotte in their folds.
----Elodie's Reading Corner
5 Stars--What a great story! Of all the books in this series, I think this is my favorite, I just loved Charlotte and Gabriel and their road to HEA was filled with emotion, betrayal, secrets, lies, cameos from previous characters, truly evil villains, steamyish love scenes, and a little bit of heartache all wrapped up in a well-written, fast-paced story.
---Tracy at Flippin' Pages
5 Stars--I loved the interplay between the H/h and the believable way in which their regard for each other grows. This story intrigues from the beginning and comes to you complete with all the feels. Ms. Marlowe has crafted a tale of mystery, chaos, intensity and some surprising moments that keep the pages turning toward that highly coveted HEA.
---SusieQReviews
---Tracy at Flippin' Pages
5 Stars--I loved the interplay between the H/h and the believable way in which their regard for each other grows. This story intrigues from the beginning and comes to you complete with all the feels. Ms. Marlowe has crafted a tale of mystery, chaos, intensity and some surprising moments that keep the pages turning toward that highly coveted HEA.
---SusieQReviews
