Title: A Marriage for the Marquess
Author: Ruth A. Casie
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
In a world of secrets, love, and ticking clocks, their alliance of convenience may just become a marriage of the heart
He needs a wife to save his inheritance. She needs a husband to save her future.
Marquess Ewan Glenraven has five weeks to marry or lose everything. Tasked with unraveling a deadly gambling scheme tied to mysterious deaths—linked to the clandestine Order of Shadows, he crosses paths with Lady Juliet Hayward—on the brink of ruin due to her late brother's debts.
Their solution: a marriage of convenience to meet their urgent needs. But as they delve deeper into a web of deceit, they uncover a clandestine organization manipulating London's elite from the shadows. One unexpected kiss on their wedding day ignites a passion neither anticipated, threatening to unravel their carefully laid plan.
Time is running out. Can they trust each other with their secrets—and their hearts—before it's too late?
Dive into a world of secrets, love, and ticking clocks in "A Marriage for the Marquess."
Excerpt:
“Good heavens, Glenraven, is it truly you?” exclaimed Sir Thomas, his monocle nearly dropping in surprise. “We’d heard you’d taken up permanent residence in Paris!”
He chuckled, deflecting the subtle probing comment with a practiced charm. “Paris could never hold me for long, though it tried with all its might,” he quipped, leaving the details to their imaginations.
Before another word could be exchanged, Mrs. Hargrave, a determined matron with matchmaking in her eyes, approached with her daughter in tow. He caught the glint of intent in her gaze and excused himself with a polite nod, “Gentlemen, duty calls elsewhere.”
He slipped away just as the woman opened her mouth. He weaved through the crowd with a grace that contradicted his urgency. And then, as if fate had steered his course, he found himself face to face with Miss Juliet Hayward. Her eyes, a calm oasis in the sea of social intensity, met his with a welcoming recognition.
“Miss Hayward,” Glenraven greeted, the surprise in his voice genuine but welcome. “It seems destiny has a sense of humor tonight.”
“Miss Hayward.” Juliet and Glenraven turned to the gentleman who stood next to Juliet. “May I have the honor of this dance?”
Juliet’s polite smile did little to mask her hesitation, a subtle shift in her stance that Glenraven caught instantly. Stepping forward with the poise of an experienced gentleman, he interjected smoothly, “My apologies, but I have already claimed the next dance with Miss Hayward.”
The gentleman, though disappointed, bowed and retreated, leaving him and Juliet to take their place on the dance floor.
He turned to Juliet with a courteous nod, his eyes betraying a hint of mischief. “Miss Hayward, I must confess, the prospect of this dance has been the sole beacon of light in an otherwise dreary evening.”
***
Juliet’s lips curved into a smile, her earlier nerves dissolving under his playful banter. “Lord Glenraven, you flatter me. Though I must warn you, my dance card is perilously close to full.”
“Then I shall consider myself most fortunate,” Glenraven replied, offering her his arm. “Shall we?”
They stepped onto the dance floor. The music, a lilting melody, seemed to echo the change in both of them.
“I trust the evening finds you well?” Glenraven inquired as they began to dance, their movements graceful and harmonious with the music.
“Quite well, thank you,” she responded, her gaze steady on his. “And your father? I was grieved to hear of his accident.”
Glenraven’s expression softened. “He is a resilient man. Your concern is most appreciated, Miss Hayward.”
Their conversation flowed as smoothly as their dance steps, from the trivialities of the season’s fashions to the latest novels. “Have you read Mrs. Radcliffe’s latest?” she asked with genuine interest.
Glenraven smiled, his expression twinkling with interest. “I am fond of Mrs. Radcliffe’s works. Her tales of mystery and romance are quite captivating. However, I also enjoy the works of Sir Walter Scott and his vivid historical narratives. And, when I seek a bit of philosophical reflection, I turn to the essays of Mr. Addison. What about you? What captures your imagination?”
Juliet’s eyes lit up with interest. “Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels are indeed captivating. I find myself lost in her tales of mystery and suspense. As for Sir Walter Scott, his historical narratives are truly engaging. I also enjoy Lord Byron’s poetry and Jane Austen’s wit. Their works offer such a rich tapestry of emotions and insights. It’s wonderful to know we share a love for literature.”
As the music ended, Glenraven offered her his arm and escorted her from the dance floor. Their steps were unhurried, which suited her.
“Miss Hayward,” Glenraven began, his voice a soft murmur amidst the chatter of the ballroom, “this evening has been a most unexpected pleasure.”
Her smile was touched with a hint of melancholy. She was well aware that the moment was fleeting. “Indeed, Lord Glenraven. I shall treasure our dance.” Her gaze lingered on his.
A loud announcement from Lady Gladstone abruptly burst their intimate bubble. They both turned to listen.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to you a special performance by none other than the esteemed diva of the London opera, Miss Angelica Catalani. Renowned for her unparalleled soprano and captivating stage presence, Miss Catalani will grace us with an operatic solo that promises to be the highlight of our evening. Please join me in welcoming her to Gladstone Hall.”
Glenraven’s hand tightened briefly on hers before they were separated. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Hayward.” Was that a note of regret in his voice? Or was she dreaming?
“The pleasure was mine,” Juliet responded, her heart sinking as the current of the crowd surged forward, pulling them apart.
As the performance finished, Aunt Geraldine came up to Juliet. “I saw you dancing with Lord Glenraven. You make a handsome pair. It is common knowledge that he must marry to hold his title and lands.”
Aunt Geraldine tilted her head toward her.
“Close your mouth, my dear. It’s not becoming.”
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Why is "A Marriage for the Marquess" a must-read? Because it's not just a story—it's an exhilarating journey where love, secrets, and danger collide in the glittering world of Regency London!
Imagine a brooding Marquess with a ticking clock—five weeks to find a wife or lose everything he holds dear. Enter a spirited lady teetering on the brink of ruin, burdened by her late brother's crushing debts. Their solution? A marriage of convenience that seems perfectly practical... until fate throws a wrench in their well-laid plans.
From the moment Ewan and Juliet say, "I do," they're thrust into a web of deceit and intrigue, uncovering the enigmatic Order of Shadows, a clandestine organization manipulating the elite from the shadows. As they delve deeper, every uncovered secret pulls them closer together—and closer to danger.
But here's where it gets deliciously complicated—a single, unexpected kiss on their wedding day ignites a passion neither anticipated. Suddenly, their arrangement of convenience becomes anything but convenient. Hearts are on the line, trust is a risky gamble, and time is slipping away.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending romance, mystery, and suspense that'll keep you turning pages late into the night. If you love stories with:
Strong, relatable characters who leap off the page and into your heart.
A richly detailed Regency setting that sweeps you back in time.
A plot full of twists and turns, where every chapter unravels new secrets.
A sizzling chemistry that challenges the boundaries between duty and desire.
Then "A Marriage for the Marquess" is the must-read you've been waiting for!
Dive into a world where alliances blur, secrets unravel, and love defies all odds. Ewan and Juliet's journey is one you won't forget—are you ready to join them?
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Author Biography:
I write historical romances that are like a wild dance at a Regency ball—full of edge-of-your-seat suspense, mind-boggling drama, and heart-melting emotions. My heroines? Well, they’re the ones who’d rather duel with wit than curtsy, and the men who cross their paths? Let’s just say they’re in for a delightful challenge! Ie that is worthy of their happily ever after.
I am a USA Today bestselling author and currently have six historical series: The Druid Knight, The Stelton Legacy, The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, and Barrington’s Brigade. I also participate in two connected worlds, The Lyon’s Den and The Pirates of Britannia.
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