The Wedding Bargain

The Wedding Bargain
Emily French

Fear Or Desire? Charity saw him on the auction block, chained to a post. She needed a man to help protect her land and sons, and he was the only one she could afford, for none dared bid on such a savage-looking creature. Yet the sight of him had her heart pumping with an attraction that threatened Charity's Puritan soul!An alleged traitor, Rafe Trehearne had been beaten and tortured, and now was being sold like an animal. Once purchased, he'd planned to find a way to escape. But that was before he'd felt the widow's gentle touch and beheld the passion in her eyes… .

Table of Contents

Cover Page (#ube04c8dd-2395-5b2b-b120-38db90ace919)

Praise (#u28455877-092a-5ead-9f78-cf5cb317406b)

Excerpt (#u716a2b06-a0ec-572f-ad0b-068571991910)

Dear Reader (#ua0d79eae-9173-5d47-8415-df8c5d2aa1ff)

Title Page (#u6de60516-57ca-5830-b7b1-2f1d7d7d218b)

About the Author (#u427591ee-7bfc-5146-936b-8e49b9385ddf)

Dedication (#u11767c84-5ab4-5527-bccc-4bb337bbbbb9)

Chapter One (#u4692f9d8-b646-5974-9b62-cbc0b578d13d)

Chapter Two (#u9eb1c869-f4a0-5555-850c-055993fe4dae)

Chapter Three (#u621efe0b-fd7d-51ed-af89-7c5c664c6e8b)

Chapter Four (#uef20232d-0472-54bc-ba6e-a0674b1a1641)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Praise for Illusion by Emily French

“…witty and fast-paced…”

—Affaire de Coeur

“…the voltage of the love scenes is no illusion.”

—Romantic Times

Praise for her first novel, Capture

“The sexual tension never ebbs…”

—Romantic Times

“5*s.”

—Heartland Critiques

“…fast-paced, action-filled, and beautifully romantic…”

—Affaire de Coeur

“…a gripping tale of survival and love.”

—Rendezvous

Charity tried to control herself, but her mind was running at full speed.

“Master Trehearne—Rafe…I have a suggestion to make. I suggest you and I should marry.”

“No.” His lips snapped together like a trap. The line of his jaw was taut, and his golden eyes gleamed with hidden fire.

Charity hunched her shoulders. “’Tis only common sense, after all. A practical proposition, based on matters of mutual convenience.”

“I daresay.”

“Did you think otherwise by chance? I don’t love you. I’m a widow with two sons, not a foolish, romantic girl of fifteen! ’Tis simple. An unmarried woman is always at a great disadvantage in this world. I therefore want a husband.”

“If that’s all it is, you’ll soon find one easy enough.”