Married For His Convenience

Married For His Convenience
Eleanor Webster

A plain countess…Tainted by illegitimacy, plain Sarah Martin has no illusions of a grand marriage. So when the Earl of Langford makes her a proposal which will take her one step closer to finding her half-sister, she can’t refuse!Sebastian’s dreams of romance died with his late wife’s affair, so now he needs a convenient wife to act as governess for his silent daughter. Yet Sarah continues to surprise and challenge him, and soon Sebastian can’t deny the joy his new bride could bring to his life – and into his bed!

A plain countess...

Tainted by illegitimacy, plain Sarah Martin has no illusions of a grand marriage. So when the Earl of Langford makes her a proposal that will take her one step closer to finding her half sister, she can’t refuse!

Sebastian’s dreams of romance died with his late wife’s affair, so now he needs a convenient wife to act as governess for his silent daughter. Yet Sarah continues to surprise and challenge him, and soon Sebastian can’t deny the joy his new bride could bring to his life—and into his bed!

She rubbed her hands together. They made a chafing sandpaper sound, emphasising the chill silence of the room.

‘May I offer you refreshment?’ she asked belatedly.

‘No, thank you. Indeed, I will get straight to the point.’

‘Please do.’ She exhaled with relief. ‘I much prefer blunt speech.’

He straightened his shoulders and shifted to face her more squarely, as though putting his mind to an unpleasant task.

‘Miss Martin, I need— May I have the honour of your hand in marriage?’

Author Note (#u03f91c07-f4c5-5163-aa79-be71aa34ab91)

I fell in love with the drama of the French Revolution when my mother and I attended a showing of the movie A Tale of Two Cities.

To say the film was old is an understatement. Even in the seventies it bordered on antiquity—a black and white 1935 release, with Ronald Coleman as Sydney Carton. But that film captured my imagination in a way that few films have done before or since. I remember blinking dazedly at its conclusion, literally feeling as though I had been transported to another place and time and was myself waiting on that tumbril.

Those timeless words—‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known’—continue to thrill. Thank you, Charles Dickens.

Later I became fascinated with the history of the Revolution: with its ideals—which so soon dissolved into bloodthirsty chaos—and its impact not only on France but on the world.

One day I will set a novel based at its epicentre. But for today I am thrilled that Married for His Convenience at least touches this fascinating period.

Married for His Convenience

Eleanor Webster

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ELEANOR WEBSTER loves high heels and sun—which is ironic as she lives in northern Canada, the land of snow hills and unflattering footwear. Various crafting experiences—including a nasty glue gun episode—have proved that her creative soul is best expressed through the written word. Eleanor is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology, and holds an undergraduate degree in history. She loves to use her writing to explore her fascination with the past.

Books by Eleanor Webster

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

No Conventional Miss

Married for His Convenience

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk (http://millsandboon.co.uk).

In memory of my mother, who loved history and books and inspired me with that love. To my father, who loves history, the English countryside and all creatures great and small. To my childhood pets, who greatly added to my joy, and to Oreo, a special rabbit who shared our home for all too short a time.

Contents

Cover (#ub26de665-3808-5943-bc1e-54541bab40e9)

Back Cover Text (#u31c5efe5-0eca-56a7-8a63-e4f5eefb8e13)

Introduction (#ue1950fb8-8122-56df-b51a-123f2646ddf2)

Author Note (#u841f0e0f-0372-59f0-aa36-e0e8bea0dd27)

Title Page (#u6d7c8a4a-deb7-5343-9811-f32c0e3131b3)

About the Author (#u288b0da5-0b22-5c5e-9076-2a4516d2967c)

Dedication (#u964cadf6-04d0-5de0-ad4c-67e8500885fb)

Prologue (#u44f5a699-2650-5cdb-8654-a068a0b80135)

Chapter One (#ufd89e0ba-d515-5804-97a5-4857546f340a)

Chapter Two (#u2b8bd1f4-e1b6-5580-9744-0e1bcc02d17f)

Chapter Three (#u90d1e456-fffb-53dd-9020-ae39e0a42e96)

Chapter Four (#uf16ad9b8-c21b-538e-ade8-05a891484501)

Chapter Five (#uf31dae8e-d357-5ae8-a708-c6e1e12a8c88)

Chapter Six (#u78a67832-fe54-5fb9-be81-8dc675e24176)

Chapter Seven (#u86969370-0f45-56b5-a8ac-dbcc6bca60f7)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)