Renee Ryan - The Marriage Agreement

Promoted to Wife?

Always the dutiful daughter, Fanny Mitchell surprised everyone when she broke her engagement. Now she’s working at the fancy Hotel Dupree—and falling for the mysterious, handsome owner, Jonathon Hawkins. But when she and her boss are caught in an unexpected kiss at a ball, will her reputation be tarnished forever?

The son of a woman of ill repute, Jonathon knows that gossip can destroy lives in an instant. And he won’t allow sweet, lovely Fanny to suffer the consequences. When he proposes a marriage of convenience, Jonathon believes he can keep his heart to himself. But the more time he spends with Fanny, the more he realizes he may just be in love—with his wife...

Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier

“I am completely at fault,” Fanny choked between inhales.

“Not completely, no.” Jonathon’s deep voice poured warmth over her cold heart. “We share the blame and will face the consequences together, no matter how dire or life-altering.”

He did not mention marriage, but he was thinking it. The evidence was there, in the grim twist of his lips and the stern set of his shoulders.

She’d dragged this man into a place he’d vowed never to go.

“Come.” He tugged her toward the ballroom, toward their moment of reckoning. “Time to face the good people of Denver.”

He guided her to the very edge of the French doors. A few more steps and they would cross over the threshold, into a future neither of them truly wanted. Jonathon for his reasons.

Fanny for hers.

She shot a glance at Jonathon from beneath her lashes. Even in the dense, flickering shadows, she recognized the resolve in his eyes, the willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect her from another scandal.

She could not let him compromise his future for hers.

RENEE RYAN grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Nebraska, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com, on Facebookor on Twitter, @ReneeRyanBooks.

The Marriage Agreement

Renee Ryan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

—Psalms 139:13–14

For Cindy Kirk and Nancy Robards Thompson, the best plotting partners on the planet. Thank you for walking beside me throughout the process of writing this book and being willing to help me plot myself out of a corner far too many times to admit. I love you both!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Promoted to Wife? Always the dutiful daughter, Fanny Mitchell surprised everyone when she broke her engagement. Now she’s working at the fancy Hotel Dupree—and falling for the mysterious, handsome owner, Jonathon Hawkins. But when she and her boss are caught in an unexpected kiss at a ball, will her reputation be tarnished forever? The son of a woman of ill repute, Jonathon knows that gossip can destroy lives in an instant. And he won’t allow sweet, lovely Fanny to suffer the consequences. When he proposes a marriage of convenience, Jonathon believes he can keep his heart to himself. But the more time he spends with Fanny, the more he realizes he may just be in love—with his wife... Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier

Introduction “I am completely at fault,” Fanny choked between inhales. “Not completely, no.” Jonathon’s deep voice poured warmth over her cold heart. “We share the blame and will face the consequences together, no matter how dire or life-altering.” He did not mention marriage, but he was thinking it. The evidence was there, in the grim twist of his lips and the stern set of his shoulders. She’d dragged this man into a place he’d vowed never to go. “Come.” He tugged her toward the ballroom, toward their moment of reckoning. “Time to face the good people of Denver.” He guided her to the very edge of the French doors. A few more steps and they would cross over the threshold, into a future neither of them truly wanted. Jonathon for his reasons. Fanny for hers. She shot a glance at Jonathon from beneath her lashes. Even in the dense, flickering shadows, she recognized the resolve in his eyes, the willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect her from another scandal. She could not let him compromise his future for hers.

About the Author RENEE RYAN grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Nebraska, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com , on Facebook or on Twitter, @ReneeRyanBooks .

Title Page The Marriage Agreement Renee Ryan www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Quote For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. —Psalms 139:13–14

Dedication For Cindy Kirk and Nancy Robards Thompson, the best plotting partners on the planet. Thank you for walking beside me throughout the process of writing this book and being willing to help me plot myself out of a corner far too many times to admit. I love you both!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

The Hotel Dupree, Denver, Colorado 1896

Shadows sculpted the darkened ballroom as Fanny Mitchell awaited her employer’s arrival. A happy sigh leaked out of her, echoing off the ornate walls. She loved this cavernous, oft overlooked room, loved it above all others in the hotel.

An expectant, almost dreamy silence hung in the air, as if Fanny was on the brink of something new and wonderful. Arms outstretched, she executed an uninhibited spin across the dance floor. Then stopped abruptly, frowning at her whimsy.

A quick tug on her sleeves, a readjustment of her skirt, and she was back to being the oh-so-proper guest-services manager of the finest hotel in Denver, Colorado.