A Marquess for Convenience (Matchmaking for Wallflowers Book 5) by Bianca Blythe on July 20th 2017
Purchase: Amazon
Goodreads
Lord Arthur Carmichael, Marquess of Bancroft, excels at everything, even cultivating a wild reputation to cover for the spy missions he undertakes for the Crown. Unfortunately now that he's helped secure the peace, his roguish reputation is a hindrance to continuing in his career--unless he takes a wife.
Lady Madeline Mulbourne, the beautiful widow of a renowned art critic, is known for her pristine reputation. Who could make a more convenient bride? But when jewels disappear at balls she's attended, Arthur suspects she might not be nearly as prim and proper as she appears.
~~~~~
~~~
Heavens. The man exuded handsomeness, easily exceeding the attractiveness of the carefully conceived figures of sculptors’ and painters’ imaginations.
“May I have this dance?” Arthur swept into an elegant bow, one that managed to emphasize the broadness of his shoulders, the firmness of his torso, and his long, well-shaped legs.
He stretched his hand toward her, and sun-kissed skin peaked from his ebony tailcoat.
It shouldn’t have felt so familiar.
Seven years should suffice in length to forget the broadness of someone’s shoulders, the exact height of the man’s towering form, and it should certainly should be long enough to banish the memory of the exact manner in which his lips pulled into a smile.
Seven years should be long enough to no longer desire to ponder the exact twinkle of his eyes, and her heart certainly shouldn’t warm in his presence.
It was a wonder she had a heart at all after the man had taken such efforts to dismantle it.
She raised her chin and steadied her gaze, ignoring his outstretched hand. Even though marquesses who controlled vast amounts of wealth might be more accustomed to seeing priceless heirlooms than their poorer counterparts, they likely didn’t think jewels made a habit of appearing in women’s palms.
The man’s features dipped into something slightly less reminiscent of cherubic joy.
She dipped into a curtsy. “My lord.”
“My lady.”
She’d managed to convince herself at one point that he’d cared for her. Memories of strolling the Royal Academy of Arts, riding his curricle through Hyde Park, and finding delight in discussing even the most mundane things with him faded.
All ridiculousness.
He clasped her hand, but she tried to pull it away.
They couldn’t dance.
Dancing would be impossible. Utterly.
The bracelet was still in her hand.
His grip tightened, and then his expression changed. He forced her palm open and stared at the sapphire bracelet.
Her heart might be racing, urging her to run from the ballroom, but it was too late.
I’ve been caught.
In a crowded ballroom.
By the man who despised her.
She struggled to control her breathing. She had to think.
Calmness. She had to emanate calmness.
“What did you do?” he growled.
She strove to think of an explanation for why she was holding precious jewels in the palm of her hand.
Unfortunately she couldn’t think of anything.
Madeline gazed downward. She laughed. “The clasp broke on my bracelet.”
“Don’t feign insipidity.” Arthur closed her palm, but his hand remained on her wrist. “I know this doesn’t belong to you.”
“It does—”
“It belongs to the Comtesse Beaulieu. A fact I’m sure you’re aware of.”
Her heart thudded in her chest.
She’d always feared discovery.
And now it had happened.
By someone who knew her, someone to whom she couldn’t give a false identity, someone who—
The melodic notes of a waltz began, and Arthur’s expression hardened. “Dance with me.”
“I—”
“You have no choice,” he said sternly and pulled her into his arms. “See that room in the corner? We’re going to go there.”
The waltz.
Of all the dances in the world, the musicians had to be playing a waltz. There was no opportunity for escape with Arthur’s hands clasping her. Couples swirled about them, and Arthur led them into the dance. She glided in his arms, conscious of the whirl of the silk dresses and vibrantly colored waistcoats of the other guests. The violins hummed pleasantly, and it would be so nice to imagine that they were dancing for another reason.
He maneuvered them elegantly across the marble floor, never lessening his grasp on her hand and waist. The door grew closer, and then he swung it open.
~~~
For your chance to win a digital copy of A Marquess for Convenience just answer this question in the comment section below…
“In this book the hero and heroine meet on the French Riviera,
Do you have a place in Europe that you would like to visit?”
~~~
About Bianca Blythe
Born in Texas, Wellesley graduate Bianca Blythe spent four years in England. She worked in a fifteenth century castle, though sadly that didn’t actually involve spotting dukes and earls strutting about in Hessians.
She credits British weather for forcing her into a library, where she discovered her first Julia Quinn novel. Thank goodness for blustery downpours.
Bianca now lives in Massachusetts with her boyfriend, though she will admit to craving warm scones and clotted cream. She’s not certain she can admit to reading about handsome, roguish dukes, at least in a location where her boyfriend might stumble upon the fact.
But if any readers are stumbling upon this, rest assured that she does write about rather swoon worthy heroes 🙂
I’ve never really thought about visiting Europe. There are too many places in the US i’d like to visit.
The US is pretty geographically diverse 🙂
I’d love to go back to Ireland and Scotland – anywhere in the countryside.
I do hugely miss the British countryside. I’ve only been to cities in Ireland (Cork and Dublin), but I would love to take a car and really explore the island.
There are so many places I would love to go in Europe. I think The British Isles to see England mainly, then Scotland and Ireland. There is so much history there and it is magical
Ireland
Ireland England and Scotland