A sexy Georgian Romance as only bestselling author Maggi Andersen can deliver!
A country-bred girl, Kate Bancroft always intended to marry for love, like her parents. She wanted a husband who adored her, who would be her knight in shining armor. But her plans don't go as she had hoped - suddenly, she finds herself married to a marquess, and her new husband an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself.
It is the unfortunate truth that she and Lord St. Malin have been forced by circumstances to marry, and Kate is painfully aware that she is not the woman he would have chosen given a choice.
Robert makes it plain that marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue in London living the life he enjoyed before he met her. Kate suspects Robert plans to tuck her away in the country, while he pursues his own interests, and she becomes determined not to let him have it all his own way.
A quiet battle ensues. Kate is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn’t thrown into the midst of the mocking and clever Haute Ton. She’s not at all sure she likes them, as they live by their own rules, which seem rather shocking. She’s not at all sure she likes her new husband either, except for his brilliant blue eyes, the panther-like way he walks, and the smoldering expression in his eyes when he looks at her. He is a rake and does not deserve her love, but neither can she resist his searing touch.
Robert appears quite willing to do his duty, but Kate demands love and affection, and nothing less will do.
Can people from two worlds, and two ideals, find their happily ever after?
Publisher's Note: This work was previously published, as a novella, under the title The Reluctant Marquess. The current work, as presented, has been significantly changed and edited, with substantial new material added.
A country-bred girl, Kate Bancroft always intended to marry for love, like her parents. She wanted a husband who adored her, who would be her knight in shining armor. But her plans don't go as she had hoped - suddenly, she finds herself married to a marquess, and her new husband an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself.
It is the unfortunate truth that she and Lord St. Malin have been forced by circumstances to marry, and Kate is painfully aware that she is not the woman he would have chosen given a choice.
Robert makes it plain that marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue in London living the life he enjoyed before he met her. Kate suspects Robert plans to tuck her away in the country, while he pursues his own interests, and she becomes determined not to let him have it all his own way.
A quiet battle ensues. Kate is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn’t thrown into the midst of the mocking and clever Haute Ton. She’s not at all sure she likes them, as they live by their own rules, which seem rather shocking. She’s not at all sure she likes her new husband either, except for his brilliant blue eyes, the panther-like way he walks, and the smoldering expression in his eyes when he looks at her. He is a rake and does not deserve her love, but neither can she resist his searing touch.
Robert appears quite willing to do his duty, but Kate demands love and affection, and nothing less will do.
Can people from two worlds, and two ideals, find their happily ever after?
Publisher's Note: This work was previously published, as a novella, under the title The Reluctant Marquess. The current work, as presented, has been significantly changed and edited, with substantial new material added.
Excerpt:
“If we don’t marry, what will happen to you?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Life would go on much as it has done, I expect.”
She didn’t believe that for he was now a marquess, but still a very wealthy one. He didn’t want to marry her that was clear. But she would have a grim future, without some act of generosity on Robert’s part. Could she convince him to do that for her, without meeting the obligation of marriage?
Her parents had been in love and she’d wanted the same for herself. This arrangement offered none of the emotional depth she’d anticipated. What sort of existence awaited her, closeted in a mansion alone with servants, while her husband came rarely to see her?
She would be happier with a simpler life. Even a small farm like one of those they’d ridden past. A thatched roofed cottage with a few cows, pigs, ducks and chickens… And yet, she forced herself to look into his deep blue eyes, searching for something she didn’t find. Love, or even just warm anticipation at spending his life with her. He did not press for her answer, apparently already sure of what it would be. Why would he not be? A woman in her circumstances had little choice, but that didn’t stop her wayward thoughts or her last hope for a future.
“And what of my life? What will happen to me if we do not marry?”
“I can’t answer that with certainty, but I assume…” He spread his hands as though his empty palms reflected the empty life she would surely have. “Would you prefer I secure you a position in a household nearby? Perhaps as a governess? I know that my neighbor—” Apparently, he would not offer her a stipend.
She swallowed hard. “You must ask me properly.”
His brows peaked in surprise. “Very well,” he said with a laugh.
Despite her misgivings, Charity smiled. He had a lovely laugh, full-bodied and joyful. She liked him when he laughed; his reserve dropped away. She wanted to hear it again but was silenced when he solemnly knelt before her.
He gazed up at her a smile on his lips and a twinkle lurking in his eyes. “Charity, will you give me the greatest pleasure of becoming my wife?”
She took a deep breath. Say no, she urged herself. They were very different people. It would not work. She would struggle to measure up to him and probably fail, no matter how hard she tried. There was no love in his smile, just a rather lazy and lustful glance. That smile might set her pulses racing, but she had wanted much more from marriage, hadn’t she? She suspected he would offer financial assistance if she asked for it. Ask for it, her mind urged her. But he gazed at her in such a way that her body wasn’t listening. “I will, my lord.”
“My name is Robert, remember?” His voice carried a seductive tone as he rose and gazed at her mouth. A hot expression entered his eyes, and he took a step closer. She swallowed, and resisted the urge to step backwards, suddenly trembling. Did he mean to make love to her? Perhaps even before the marriage vows?
She was so vulnerable, with no one to chaperone her, he might do what he liked with her now. The thought of this was quite shocking, but not entirely unpleasant. He gazed down at her making her feel rather small and rather fragile. It was all happening too fast. She felt confused, wanting his touch and yet afraid that coming too soon, before she could give herself to him, gladly and with love, it would set the tone of the marriage and irrevocably spoil any chance of a love-match.
“But please allow me to make a demand of my own,” she said, placing a hand on his chest as he leaned close to her.
He straightened. “And what might that be?”
“I need time to get to know you before we… consummate the marriage.”
He frowned. “How much time?”
She touched her mouth with her fingers. “It’s hard to say. When we get to know each other better.”
“But of course. I bow to your wishes.” He made her an elaborate bow. When he raised his head, she saw something flicker in his eyes. Was it annoyance or frustration?
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