Married to a Perfect Stranger (28 page)
Read Married to a Perfect Stranger Online
Authors: Jane Ashford
“What?”
“On the occasion of your marriage, the trust is naturally dissolved. Your cousin will have no further say in any matters pertaining to the estate.”
“Because the control will pass to my husband.” Clare knew that was the law. Married women couldn't own property; anything they had automatically went to their husbands as soon as the wedding vows were spoken.
“Correct,” replied Billingsley. For the first time, the young woman met and held his gaze. A startling fire blazed in those pale green eyes. Her face seemed altered, too. The visage he had marked down as merely pleasant now shone with a spirited beauty, a patent intelligence. Miss Greenough had arranged to be thoroughly underestimated, he realized, like an actor inhabiting a role wholly unlike himself. There was far more to her than he had been allowed to see at first.
Clare felt as if parts of her were springing back to life after years of dormancy, like unused rooms when the draperies are pushed back and the sun streams in. Her mind raced. Cousin Simon would do anything to thwart her. Everett Billingsley didn't begin to understand the depth of that man's enmity. She would have no real control of this amazing windfall, or of her life, until her cousin was removed from the picture. Fleetingly, Clare wondered if one could hire murderers with a great deal of money. Not that she would, of course. The idea was morally repugnant. And unlikely to succeed, for any number of reasons. She would have to explore more conventional paths. But one thing was certainâSimon would not best her this time. He would not beggar her again.
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During the years after the defeat of Napoleon and the restoration of peace, England's foreign secretary Lord Castlereagh became extremely unpopular. In order to remain in the cabinet and continue his diplomatic work, he had to support hated measures taken by the home secretary, Lord Sidmouth, to suppress domestic unrest. He was also severely overworked, with the constant diplomacy required to juggle conflicts among the other major powers. In 1822, Castlereagh began to exhibit paranoia in a kind of nervous breakdown. He said, “My mind, is, as it were, gone.” He seemed mentally disturbed during an August audience with King George IV (formerly Prinny). A few days later, although Lady Castlereagh had had his razors taken away, he managed to find a penknife and cut his own throat.
Thus, Mary's drawing of her ladyship in 1819, showing her growing anxiety, was prescient.
Once Again a Bride
by Jane Ashford
She couldn't be more alone
Widowhood has freed Charlotte Wylde from a demoralizing and miserable marriage. But when her husband's intriguing nephew and heir arrives to take over the estate, Charlotte discovers she's unsafe in her own homeâ¦
He could be her only hopeâ¦or her next victim
Alec Wylde was shocked by his uncle's untimely death, and even more shocked to encounter his uncle's beautiful young widow. Now clouds of suspicion are gathering, and charges of murder hover over Charlotte's head.
Alec and Charlotte's initial distrust of each other intensifies as they uncover family secrets, and hovering underneath is a mutual attraction that could lead them to disasterâ¦
“A near-perfect example of everything that makes this genre an escapist joy to read.” â
Publishers Weekly
“One of the premier Regency writers return to the published world. Ms. Ashford has written a superbly crafted story.”
âFresh Fiction
For more Jane Ashford, visit:
Earls Just Want to Have Fun
Covent Garden Cubs
by Shana Galen
His heart may be the last thing she ever stealsâ¦
Marlowe runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, but when she's alone, Marlowe allows herself to think of a time beforeâa dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.
Maxwell, Lord Dane, is roped into teaching Marlowe how to navigate the social morass of the
ton
, but she will not escape her past so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.
Praise for Shana Galen:
“Shana Galen has a gift for storytelling that puts her at the top of my list of authors.” â
Historical Romance Lover
“Shana Galen is brilliant at making us fall in love with her characters, their stories, their pains, heartaches, and triumphs.” â
Unwrapping Romance
For more Shana Galen, visit:
Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress
by Theresa Romain
One good proposition deserves anotherâ¦
Heiress Augusta Meredith can't help herselfâshe stirs up gossip wherever she goes. A stranger to Bath society, she pretends to be a charming young widow, until sardonic, darkly handsome Joss Everett arrives from London and uncovers her charade.
Now they'll weave their way through the pitfalls of the polite world only if they're willing to be true to themselvesâ¦and to each otherâ¦
Praise for Theresa Romain:
“Theresa Romain writes with a delightfully romantic flair that will set your heart on fire.” âJulianne MacLean,
USA Today
bestselling author
“Theresa Romain writes witty, gorgeous, and deeply emotional historical romance.” âVanessa Kelly, award-winning author
For more Theresa Romain, visit:
Sinfully Ever After
The Book Club Belles Society
by Jayne Fresina
To Rebecca Sherringham, all men are open booksâread quickly and forgotten. Perhaps she's just too practical for love. The last thing she needs is another bore aroundâespecially one that's supposed to be dead.
Captain Lucius “Luke” Wainwright turns up a decade after disappearing without a trace. He's on a mission to claim his birthright and he's not going away again until he gets it. But Becky and the ladies of the village Book Club Belles Society won't let this rogue get away with his sins. He'll soon find that certain young ladies are accustomed to dealing with villains.
Praise for
The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine
:
“A unique historical romanceâ¦pleasingly edgy.” â
Booklist
“A true charmer of a read.” â
RT Book Reviews
, 4 Stars and KISS nominee (favorite historical heroes of the month)
For more Jayne Fresina, visit:
Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. She has written historical and contemporary romances, and her books have been published in Sweden, Italy, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Spain, as well as the U.S. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by
RT
Book
Reviews
. She lives in Los Angeles.
