An Unwilling Bride

SHE WOULD GIVE HIM HER HAND, BUT NEVER HER HEART Beth Armitage had the life she wanted. Her work as a teacher gave her the independence she always sought and a life free from the shackles of matrimony. Yet after a harrowing meeting with the Duke of Becraven, Beth found herself caught in a web of aristocratic power—and engaged to marry his rakish heir Lucien de Vaux, Marquess of Arden! She was determined to despise her betrothed, but when Arden decided to seduce her, she needed all her strength to keep her from surrendering her heart. 'Nobody does Regency better than Jo Beverley, and this latest tale adds to the argument that she may just be the best.' — Rendezvous 'Beverley breaks just about every rule in the book and makes us beg for more.' — Romantic Times

". . . what distinguishes Beverley's writing is the depth of compassion and human understanding." ~Kim E Power The Duchess of Belcraven committed a folly, and bore her husband another man's child. But Lucien was a third son, so all was patched over. Then the two older boys drowned, leaving disaster. Now, over twenty years later, the duke learns he has a legitimate daughter—Beth Armitage, a child of his blood—and he compels Lucien and Beth to marry. Lucien, now the arrogant ducal heir, is devastated to learn he is not his father's child and that the only way to his fortune is through his unwilling bride: an independent schoolteacher raised in the principles of the Rights of Women. Can there be any common ground? From The Publisher: Author Jo Beverley is known for her consumate attention to historical detail that wisks the reader back in time to a near first-hand experience. Fans of Regency romance and historical British fiction set in the 19th century, as well as readers of Jess Michaels, Mary Balogh, Christi Caldwell, Stephanie Laurens, Madeline Hunter and Mary Jo Putney will want to read every book by Jo Beverley. Romance Writers of America RITA Award, Winner Best Regency Romance, Romantic Times "...vivid and mesmerizing characters . Top notch Regency reading pleasure." ~Romantic Times "...reading about these two intelligent, strong people was such a treat." ~All About Romance

"Jo Beverley strains the boundaries of political correctness . . . There is no denying Ms. Beverley is a master storyteller and perhaps because of this political incorrectness she delivers a powerfully fresh stage for her story." ~Tara A. Green Ruined through her vile brother's schemes, Eleanor Chivenham is offered rescue by marriage to a rake with an infamous French mistress. Eleanor accepts, determined to treat the arranged marriage with cool dignity. Then she meets Nicholas Delaney. Not only does he stir her senses, but the trouble and pain beneath his smooth exterior reaches her heart. Nicholas is indeed troubled. While serving his country by seducing secrets out of a French spy, he is persuaded to marry Eleanor to protect his family's honor. But such chivalry runs counter to his carefully wrought rogue image, and extends the life-threatening plots shadowing him to Eleanor. To assist, Nicholas re-assembles the Company of Rogues, a schoolboy group he started years before. But not even they can dampen Eleanor's fighting wit that is quickly unmasking their enemy and testing Nicholas' formidable will. From The Publisher: Author Jo Beverley is known for her consumate attention to historical detail that wisks the reader back in time to a near first-hand experience. Fans of Regency romance and historical British fiction set in the 19th century, as well as readers of Jess Michaels, Mary Balogh, Christi Caldwell, Stephanie Laurens, Madeline Hunter and Mary Jo Putney will want to read every book by Jo Beverley. Best Regency Novel, Romantic Times Bookrak Bestseller RITA, finalist "A splendid love story... a veritable feast of delight. Bravo!" ~Romantic Times

A marriage of convenience to a wealthy aristocrat turns into a battle of wills for a feisty young woman who must keep her wits about her to keep from falling in love. Original.

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts? Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry—she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man—the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away. Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can’t let her down—even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life. Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn’t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family—and herself.

Promised to Merrick of Tregellas when she was but a child, Lady Constance was unwilling to wed a man she remembered only as a spoiled boy. Sure he had grown into an arrogant knight, she sought to make herself so unappealing that Merrick would refuse to honor their betrothal. Yet no sooner had this enigmatic, darkly handsome man ridden through the castle gates than she realized he was nothing like the boy she recalled. And very much a man she could love... Haunted by secrets from his past, Merrick was unwilling to return to Tregellas--until he caught sight of his bride-to-be. Beautiful and spirited, Lady Constance was everything he wanted in a wife. She stirred his passion--and his heart--as no woman ever had before. But what would happen when she discovered the truth? When enemies begin plotting their downfall, only trust can save a match never meant to end in true love.

In the waning hours of the 19th century, when America was still finding its feet and England was stamping down the freedoms of Ireland, immigrants were faced with an uncertain fate. Beautiful and high-spirited Caitlin Gallagher has no desire to be married. But her parents thought they were doing the best thing for her by marrying her off to a man with money, position and a secure standing in the fledgling United States, even though he happened to be English. His social standing would protect her while they were deported back to their war torn homeland, Ireland. It wasn't just Caitlin's vow to hate her new husband that drove them apart, but the plotting of jealous women and the politics of dishonest men. Can Caitlin work through her anger, finding faith in God and love in Dillon's arms? Gentle Dillon Cade has lived a quiet life for thirteen years in Norfolk, Virginia. But that is all about to change. As he juggles treasonous acts with his newspaper, fights against President Adams' unfair sedition acts, and tries to help Thomas Jefferson get elected, he must now, also, deal with an unwilling bride, who disturbs his peaceful life. Can Dillon tolerate her behavior long enough to win her trust?