Benjamin Nash, Marquess of Creslow, must marry, for he is the last of the family line. Desirous of a business arrangement instead of a love match, he hires a matchmaker, but on the way to the May Day festival where he will meet her, as well as his matches, he encounters an alluring lady who may suit him perfectly…
After her husband’s death left her a pauper, Rebecca Sweet relied on family for help and in return guided two of them to successful marriages. Engaged with her first real client, she plans to present him a gaggle of young ladies eager to wed. But when she realizes the marquess is the same dashing gentleman she met on the way to the festival, the task becomes far more complicated. Attraction simmers between them, however Nash wants a loveless marriage and Rebecca would only wed again for love. She must find him a bride before she loses her heart forever.
“You look sufficiently less attractive. Let us be on our way. It looks as though it may rain.”
“Should we take the coach?” he asked, sounding hopeful. Was he thinking of last night? About when he’d said that whatever happened in the carriage stayed in the carriage?
“We don’t have time.” She moved to the door, and he hastened to open it for her.
They walked to the street then turned toward the High Street. She looked at him from the side of her eye and stopped short.
She turned toward him. “Is your jacket missing buttons?”
“Yes,” he answered proudly.
“I didn’t think you’d take this plan so…seriously.”
“This is serious business. I can’t have ladies swooning at the sight of me.” His lips quivered, and she suspected he was trying not to laugh.
“I don’t think we discussed the possibility of that happening.”
“Not that specifically, but you were right in that I should dissuade anyone from falling in love with me. It’s better if they see me as a business proposition. An alignment of like interests.”
“In your current state, you are going to attract someone whose interests are eccentric clothing and overdone hairstyles. Not that there is anything wrong with those things, but I don’t think that’s who you are. Or at least not who your valet allows you to be.”
“You are correct,” Creslow responded as they turned onto the High Street. “I wouldn’t know eccentric clothing if that was all that was in my dressing chamber. I instructed Martin to put together a displeasing ensemble.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR BIO:
USA Today Bestselling Author Darcy Burke loves history, her family, and cats (not in that in that order). She’s published over fifty captivating, compelling historical and contemporary romance novels and novellas. It all started with The Magic Swan when she was 11 years old, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him—with exceedingly poor illustrations. She still has plenty of ideas and writes (it seems) constantly in between hanging with her family, playing games, listening to the Dave Matthews Band, bingeing period TV shows, and chilling with her seven rescue cats. Join her Reader Club at https://www.darcyburke.com/join.
Darcy Burke will be awarding the first two books in the Wicked Dukes Club series (One Night for Seduction and One Night of Surrender) – US winner’s choice of ebook or print, and international winner ebook only, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Goddess Fish Promotions
Thanks for hosting!
Wendy Sanchez
Love her books
Sherry
I really like the cover.
Colleen C.
Adding this to my list!
Denise
sounds like a wonderful romance
Bonnie
What an interesting book! Great cover and excerpt. I’d love to read more.