their alliance of convenience may just become a marriage of the heart.
Ewan,
the Marquess of Glenraven, finds himself returning to his home in Belgrave
Square, summoned back to London by his former commanding officer, Lord
Barrington. Ewan’s been entrusted with the task of unraveling a deceitful
gambling scheme and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious deaths tied to
it. He is also faced with a pressing personal ultimatum: either secure his
trust by marrying by his 30th birthday, five weeks hence, or risk losing it
all.
In Marylebone, a mile north of Belgrave Square, Lady Juliet Hayward carries the heavy burden of her late brother, Bradley's gambling debts. Her own future teeters on the brink of destitution. Determined to confront the man who has her brother’s vowels and control of her survival, she’s determined to find him and negotiate a solution.
As Ewan and Juliet are drawn together, they conceal their true intentions, not knowing they both seek the one person who holds the cards. However, time is not on their side. In a bold move, they confess to each other and devise a plan—a marriage of convenience, a calculated business arrangement—to simultaneously fulfill Ewan's inheritance requirement, settle Juliet's brother's debts, and expose the scheming ringleader. Yet, a single kiss on their wedding day unleashes a deluge of conflicting emotions within Ewan, shattering his carefully constructed façade.
This is a breathtaking Regency tale of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
A marriage of
convenience, a game of hearts.
Chapter One
London, England
March 27, 1820
The muffled clop of horse hooves
echoing through the cobblestone streets merged with the sounds of bustling
London and the ever-present fog as Ewan, Marquess Glenraven, stepped from the
post-coach at The Golden Cross Inn. He stood by the coach, a layer of dust from
Dover Road clinging to his coat.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he
carried himself with a military bearing and long titled heritage. An errant
breeze tousled dark hair that framed his strong, chiseled face, but it was his
piercing gray eyes that caught his attention. They hinted at a depth of emotion
hidden beneath a façade of composure and to those that knew him, promised a
loyalty and trust like none other.
He took a deep breath. At last, he
was almost home.
The bells of St. Paul Cathedral
echoed through the narrow alleys. Glenraven glanced at his pocket watch. 12:30
pm. Satisfied he would be on time for his meeting, he tucked the timepiece away
as the midday sun broke through the fog and cast a warm glow on the inn.
“I’ll organize our belongings and
secure a carriage.” Duncan MacAlister, Glenraven’s longtime friend and batman,
throughout the turmoil in Paris following the war, didn’t wait for a reply.
Duncan knew him well.
Their journey began a week ago when
Glenraven received a letter from his father’s solicitor, Mr. Hughes. The
message directed Glenraven to make every effort to attend a meeting at Lord
Barrington’s London home at 2:00 p.m. on the 27th of March.
He and Duncan began their trek with
a five-day ride from Paris to Calais, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour sail on
the paddle steamer Rob Roy to Dover. The final leg of their journey was
a grueling nine-hour post-coach ride to London. The entire week, Glenraven
could not rid himself of the persistent whispers that his return to London was
more dangerous than the government affairs he left behind in Paris.
With only ninety minutes to spare
before he was to present himself at Barrington Hall there wasn’t any time for
him to make himself more presentable and still make it back to the meeting in
time. Debating whether to go home and be late or arrive early at Barrington’s,
he reached into his pocket and took out a gold coin. Skillfully flicking it
into the air, the coin spun and captured the light before it fell back into his
palm.
“My lord?” Glenraven looked up to
see Duncan call to him from a carriage.
“You go on. I’ll head to
Barrington’s.” Duncan nodded his agreement and gave the driver instructions.
Not wanting to arrive at
Barrington’s too early, he went to Covent Garden. He made his way through the
busy crowd, following the savory aroma like a field dog tracking a scent trail.
He purchased a pasty and searched for a quiet area where he could enjoy his
treat before starting out for Grosvenor Square.
Although the area was crowded, he
found the last available seat on a bench not far from a puppet stage. As he
enjoyed the warm meat-filled pastry, his mind drifted to Hughes. What serious
issue could there be that called him back so urgently? Another bite of the
pastry brought a sense of certainty that whatever Hughes found could be solved.
Besides, it was good to be back in London.
Finishing the pasty, he took out
the gold coin. The coin arrived with Hughes’ message without any explanation,
its presence serving as a silent call to action from his former commander. He
mulled over what could be so urgent that Barrington needed him back in London
and if it connected in any way to Hughes’ need to see him.
“Oh, sir, could you help us,
please?” A neatly dressed man called out to him from the puppet stage.
The crowd, which he realized had
gathered waiting for the puppet show, turned their attention toward him.
Glenraven scanned the area, unsure
if the gentleman was calling out to him. He glanced back at the man.
“Yes, sir, you. You look like a man
who would help a lady in distress.” A soft chuckle rippled through the
onlookers. “It is a simple script that needs to be read.”
“Forgive me. I would gladly help a
lady in distress.” Glenraven glanced at the crowd. “I see some lovely ladies.”
He nodded to several ladies not too far from him. “But I do not see any ladies
in distress.”
The man operating the puppet stage
peeked under the curtain. “My lady. Are you in distress?” he called out.
“Yes, my lord,” came a voice from
behind the curtain. As the puppet master opened the curtain, a female puppet
was revealed. “I have no Punch.”
Glenraven checked his watch. It was
ten minutes past one. “Ne’er let it be said that I didn’t come to a lady’s
aid.”
Glenraven made his way to the stage
to the crowd’s chuckling and applauding.
“Thank you, my lord. Thank you.”
the puppet master whispered to him before turning to address the audience.
“Kind people. I am the puppet
master, Percival Thimbleby. You’ve already met Miss Juliet Hayward, who will be
our Judy. She has taken her place. This is,” the puppet master turned to
Glenraven and waited. He coughed and waited a bit more. “And this is?” He
raised his eyebrows at his Punch.
With a good natured smile, he
slightly bowed to the audience. “Lord Glenraven at your service.”
“My lord.” The puppet master doffed
his cap and bowed to him. “Ladies and Gents, we have a real hero,” he added
with a playful eye roll, making everyone laugh. “Lord Glenraven will be playing
our Punch. We are fortunate to have found two willing people to help us today.
They do not know what has happened in the story so far. It will be very telling
how they portray this scene. Be gentle with my actors, my friends. I dare say
they are new to this trade. We want to encourage them. Who knows, you may witness
the beginning of a most enchanting partnership.”
The puppet master turned to
Glenraven. “This way, my lord. While you and your Judy say your lines, I will
manage the puppets.”
He guided Glenraven to his spot,
handed him his script, and then returned to address the audience.
Glenraven glanced at the paper and
burst into laughter, the sound echoing for all to hear.
“Are you all right, my lord?” the
puppet master called out.
“Quite. I see you are also a
magician. For us mortals, the script is blank.”
The audience laughed along with
him, clearly in on the jest.
“Well, my lord. I am a poor puppet
master. I only had one script and, as a gallant puppet master, gave it to your
Judy as I know you would want me to. After all, you are a gallant hero.”
“Yes, I am.” Glenraven chuckled. “I
accept the challenge. You, my friend, may have to suffer the consequences.”
“Very well, my lord. I am certain
your quick wit and heroism will come to the fore.” Again, the audience
chuckled.
The puppet master turned to the
audience.
“I will set the stage. Punch has
brought back a treasure and must convince his Judy to let him keep it.” The
puppet master paused. “Punch. You can begin whenever you are ready.”
Glenraven took a moment, cleared
his throat, and began with a theatrical flair.
“Oh, Judy, my love.” Glenraven’s
voice, a warm whiskey baritone, rang out. “I have fought hard and long. I’ve
brought back a treasure. It must be protected at all costs.” He paused a
heartbeat and continued, his voice a bit lower, “I won’t let anyone take it
from us!”
“But Punch, dear, we must be
careful.” His Judy’s voice was sweet and slightly breathless. “There are those
who covet what we have.”
“Fear not, my sweet Judy.”
Glenraven’s Punch declared with theatrical bravado. “I’ll stand against them
all, even if it means facing the darkest of contenders.”
He imagined Judy gazing at Punch as
she went on, her voice sweet and a touch unsteady, “Then let us be strong
together, my Punch. Our love will guide us through.”
Glenraven stared at the curtain
separating him from his Judy and put the papers down. He focused all his
attention on his unseen partner.
“And when the storm clouds gather,”
Punch continued, his tone filled with anticipation, “and the world around us
seems uncertain...” A dramatic pause lingered. “We’ll find shelter in each
other’s arms, and our hearts will be our fortress. But, Judy, my love,” Punch’s
voice softened, “there’s one thing you must know. Our journey won’t always be
easy.”
The puppet master skillfully moved
Punch to Judy’s side, his puppet arm around her.
“I understand, Punch. I’m prepared
to face whatever challenges lie ahead.”
“Then, my dear Judy, let us embark
on this adventure together, hand in hand.” The puppet master had Punch take
Judy’s hand.
“Together, we’ll find the strength
to conquer all,” Judy declared.
“And as we travel through life’s
mysterious twists and turns...” Punch turned his head and looked around. “We’ll
uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows, and they shall not hold us back.
Judy, my love,” Punch’s tone deepened with passion, “desire burns within me
like an unquenchable fire.”
Judy delicately touched Punch’s
face. “And what of commitment, Punch? Will your flames endure, or will they be
snuffed out?”
“Fear not, dear Judy,” Even the
audience could hear the smile in Punch’s voice, “for desire may kindle our
passion, but it’s a commitment that fuels our eternal flame.”
“Then let our love burn brighter
than the stars, Punch, for we are bound by both desire and commitment.”
This little game excited Glenraven
in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The essence of sincerity he heard in ‘Judy’s’
voice warmed him. The more he spoke, the more the line between him and his
Punch blurred.
Absurd. He gave himself a mental
shake. This puppet performance is only a game. Judy isn’t the only one capable
of playing a believable game.
“So, my love,” Punch said tenderly,
“let us dance through the pages and write our own story, bound by fate and
love.”
“Forever entwined, together we’ll
craft our own destiny. It awaits, Punch, my dearest.” There was a pause.
“Forever,” was Judy’s breathless reply.
Glenraven’s Punch took Judy in his
arms, dipped her backward, and kissed her to the laughter of the crowd. The
puppets then parted, each taking a bow as the curtain closed.
The puppet master stepped forward.
“Oh, my dear friends, this conclusion has been special. Please, Judy and Punch,
come out so we can properly thank you.”
The curtain on the left side of the
puppet stage parted, and a young woman emerged as Glenraven came out through
the drape on the right side.
“Miss Juliet Hayward, you were a
wonderful Judy. You are welcome to join our traveling show anytime you like,”
the puppet master said.
She turned to thank the puppeteer,
but her gaze met Glenraven’s, causing her to pause.
“Lord Glenraven, thank you again
for an interesting reading.” Glenraven nodded to the puppeteer and tipped his
hat to Miss Hayward, no, Juliet. That is how he would remember her.
“Fare thee well, my dearest.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Glenraven lifted Juliet’s hand and kissed her
knuckles, mischief in his eyes.
* * * *
Juliet felt the invitation in his
smile and couldn’t help but respond with a mischievous smile of her own. “I
shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” She tried to suppress a smile but lost
the battle.
Glenraven escorted her away from
the puppet stage. A bump from a passerby caused a small cloud of dust to erupt
from his coat. He tipped his hat to the culprit. “Cousin?” The man had already
walked on.
“Have you been traveling, my lord?”
She glanced behind them at the small cloud from his coat.
“You found me out. I’ve been
abroad. Traveling has its demands, but it is good to be back in London,
especially on a day as delightful as today.” They stopped at a fork in the
pathway. “Regrettably, I must go or be late for an appointment.”
She struggled to quickly prevent
any shadow of disappointment from passing over her face. Juliet did not believe
him. He made no effort to move rapidly through the small thirty-minute
performance.
Silly woman. It was a performance.
Nothing more. Although, for a moment, it felt so…
“Well then, Punch off with you,”
she said with a wave, not giving him a chance to explain himself. “Till it be
morrow.” She laughed. “You are a good sport, my lord. Mr. Thimbleby approached
me in much the same manner as he did you. Thank you for a lovely afternoon
diversion.” She turned to leave but hesitated. “I do look forward to our next
performance.”
* * * *
Her laughter was light and tinkled.
He followed her progress as she made her way and was swallowed up by the crowd.
He chuckled and shook his head. His step was lighter, and his head filled with
thoughts of Punch and Judy as he headed to Barrington Hall. The banter between
him and ‘Judy’ was indeed enjoyable, and she responded to Shakespeare’s quote
quite nicely. Her quick wit made sparing with her quite enjoyable.
Hayward? He didn’t know the name.
He made a mental note to ask his Father. The man knew everyone in London. She
was a beauty with chestnut hair that shimmered in the sunlight and deep hazel
eyes filled with mischief. And passion. A smile broadened on his face. Yes, he
would like to see them filled with passion.
The thought struck a chord with
him. He wasn’t some rogue to get excited over a woman’s appearance, but there
was something appealing about Miss Juliet Hayward that had nothing to do with
her slender body or appealing good looks. He let out a sigh. It was, indeed, a
lovely way to spend thirty minutes.
A Marriage for the Marquess is Book 1 of Barrington's Brigade
Buy Link: Amazon KU https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR3C66BP
Barrington's Brigade, the series
From duty to devotion to King, Country, and the women that they love.
Against
the dramatic backdrop of the Peninsular War, the lives of six courageous
retired officers unfold in a world markedly different from the one they knew.
These seasoned men soon realize that their most significant challenges extend
far beyond the battlefield.
United
by an unbreakable bond and led by their revered commander, Lord Barrington,
these officers proudly don the title of “Barrington’s Brigade.” Their
commitment transcends the chaos of war as they pledge unwavering support not
only to Barrington's service for England but also to each other. Together, they
embark on a journey to overcome both the visible and concealed scars of war,
navigating a society on the brink of profound social and cultural
transformations.
Tied
by a loyalty beyond question, these extraordinary comrades stand ready to
support each other in times of need. A distinctive gold coin becomes the symbol
of their unwavering brotherhood, commemorates their unbreakable bond, and
serves as a unique calling card—summoning their assistance whenever it is
presented.
Step
into a world where honor, loyalty, and love intertwine as the remarkable men of
Barrington’s Brigade and the women who captivate their hearts traverse the
intricacies of Regency society, forging their paths to happily ever afters.
Barrington's Brigade
Book 1 - A Match for the Marquess
Book 2 - A Dilemma for the Duke
Book 3 - A Bonny Lass for the Baron
Book 4 - A Vixen for the Viscount
Book 5 - Enlightening the Earl
Book 6 - Bewitching the Baron
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