Elizabeth Rolls - His Convenient Marchioness

With this ring...I thee claim!

After the loss of his wife and children, the Marquess of Huntercombe closed his heart to love. But now that he must marry to secure an heir, he’s determined that the beautiful, impoverished widow Lady Emma Lacy should be his...

Emma has vowed never to marry for money so must refuse him. But when her children’s grandfather sets to steal them away from her, she has no other option: she must become the marquess’s convenient bride!

“So, you wish to remarry—”

“Yes.”

‘And for some reason you think I might do?’ Emma said.

Hunt winced. ‘I beg your pardon if I gave that impression. But, yes, you do…er…’

‘Fit your requirements?’

A long-forgotten burning sensation informed him that he had actually blushed. ‘Something like that.’

‘And along with your requirements are you also going to ask for references?’ Her chin was up.

Hunt looked at her. The brief hint of laughter was gone. In its place was…bitterness? No, not that. Resignation. As if she expected rejection.

‘If you will forgive the impertinence, Emma, I think your children are your references.’

She stared at him. ‘Oh.’

And that lovely soft mouth trembled into a smile that shook him to his very foundations. Was he insane? He wanted a wife who would not turn his life inside out. Now it would serve him right if he found himself fronting the altar with London’s most notorious widow! Only… Could she really have done anything truly scandalous? He was finding it harder and harder to believe…

Author Note

Somewhere in writing each book I start to worry about the next. Never mind that my current characters are still stuck in whatever mess I’ve concocted for them, I’m off on a tangent, worrying about what I’ll write next. It’s pointless. I know perfectly well from experience that well before I finish the next book will be running around in my head. Very often at least one of the characters is right there under my nose in the book I’m just finishing. This is one of those times.

If you read In Debt to the Earl, you may remember James’s friend the Marquess of Huntercombe. Hunt was grieving for his half-brother Gerald, who had been murdered. From the moment Hunt stepped—quite literally—out of the shadows to help James and avenge Gerald, I wanted to know more about him. And I wanted him to have his own happy ending. I hope you enjoy his story.

His Convenient Marchioness

Elizabeth Rolls

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ELIZABETH ROLLS lives in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia with her husband, teenage sons, dogs and too many books. She is convinced that she will achieve a state of blessed Nirvana when her menfolk learn to put their own dishes in the dishwasher without being asked and cease flexing their testosterone over the television remote. Elizabeth loves to hear from readers and invites you to contact her via email at books@elizabethrolls.com.

Books by Elizabeth Rolls

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

His Lady Mistress

A Compromised Lady

A Regency Christmas

‘A Soldier’s Tale’

Lord Braybrook’s Penniless Bride

A Magical Regency Christmas

‘Christmas Cinderella’

Lords at the Altar

In Debt to the Earl

His Convenient Marchioness

Mills & Boon Historical Undone! ebooks

A Scandalous Liaison

A Shocking Proposition

M&B

Royal Weddings Through the Ages

‘A Princely Dilemma’

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.ukfor more titles.

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For Anne, Linda, Lynn and Suzie.

Because you inspire me and keep me going.

And because we can put away more champagne, cheese and tea at a critique group meeting than anyone would ever believe.

You’ve seen a fair bit of this story over the past year.

Now it’s yours.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text With this ring...I thee claim! After the loss of his wife and children, the Marquess of Huntercombe closed his heart to love. But now that he must marry to secure an heir, he’s determined that the beautiful, impoverished widow Lady Emma Lacy should be his... Emma has vowed never to marry for money so must refuse him. But when her children’s grandfather sets to steal them away from her, she has no other option: she must become the marquess’s convenient bride!

Introduction “So, you wish to remarry—” “Yes.” ‘And for some reason you think I might do?’ Emma said. Hunt winced. ‘I beg your pardon if I gave that impression. But, yes, you do…er…’ ‘Fit your requirements?’ A long-forgotten burning sensation informed him that he had actually blushed. ‘Something like that.’ ‘And along with your requirements are you also going to ask for references?’ Her chin was up. Hunt looked at her. The brief hint of laughter was gone. In its place was…bitterness? No, not that. Resignation. As if she expected rejection. ‘If you will forgive the impertinence, Emma, I think your children are your references.’ She stared at him. ‘Oh.’ And that lovely soft mouth trembled into a smile that shook him to his very foundations. Was he insane? He wanted a wife who would not turn his life inside out. Now it would serve him right if he found himself fronting the altar with London’s most notorious widow! Only… Could she really have done anything truly scandalous? He was finding it harder and harder to believe…

Author Note Author Note Somewhere in writing each book I start to worry about the next. Never mind that my current characters are still stuck in whatever mess I’ve concocted for them, I’m off on a tangent, worrying about what I’ll write next. It’s pointless. I know perfectly well from experience that well before I finish the next book will be running around in my head. Very often at least one of the characters is right there under my nose in the book I’m just finishing. This is one of those times. If you read In Debt to the Earl, you may remember James’s friend the Marquess of Huntercombe. Hunt was grieving for his half-brother Gerald, who had been murdered. From the moment Hunt stepped—quite literally—out of the shadows to help James and avenge Gerald, I wanted to know more about him. And I wanted him to have his own happy ending. I hope you enjoy his story.

Title Page His Convenient Marchioness Elizabeth Rolls www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author ELIZABETH ROLLS lives in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia with her husband, teenage sons, dogs and too many books. She is convinced that she will achieve a state of blessed Nirvana when her menfolk learn to put their own dishes in the dishwasher without being asked and cease flexing their testosterone over the television remote. Elizabeth loves to hear from readers and invites you to contact her via email at books@elizabethrolls.com . Books by Elizabeth Rolls Mills & Boon Historical Romance His Lady Mistress A Compromised Lady A Regency Christmas ‘A Soldier’s Tale’ Lord Braybrook’s Penniless Bride A Magical Regency Christmas ‘Christmas Cinderella’ Lords at the Altar In Debt to the Earl His Convenient Marchioness Mills & Boon Historical Undone! ebooks A Scandalous Liaison A Shocking Proposition M&B Royal Weddings Through the Ages ‘A Princely Dilemma’ Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.