Those of you who have read my books know that I generally write characters that
are fairly compatible. I mean that Polite Society would not think twice about
the match. There are no misalliances. Their friends and family always
say, “They would be perfect together, if only . . .” Naturally, lots of stuff is
thrown in their paths. All very realistic to the Regency, but everyone can see
them getting together at the end, and fun to watch them get to their HEA.
Well, in WHEN A MARQUIS
CHOOSES A BRIDE, not so much. In fact, were we in high school, they would
probably be voted least likely to get together. Dom is stuffy. Dotty is not. He
thinks his life should be perfectly ordered. Dotty fills hers with misplaced and
mistreated animals and people. He always takes considers what is best for his
rank. Dotty could care less. Her friends encourage her to kick him to the curb.
And his friends refuse to believe he would align himself with anyone like
her.
You know these people right? It doesn’t matter if it’s the guy or the gal who is
stuffy and stuck up or which one who is the free spirit. They might be attracted
to each other, but they are not meant to be together.
You don’t even see this all that often in the movies—even my husband the movie
buff couldn’t think of one—because everyone knows it doesn’t work.
But what if it does? Sometimes all it takes to push one over the edge is a
little opposition.
“I’m busy. Why are you here?”
Worthington leaned back in the chair. “To speak to you about Miss Stern before
anything can take root.”
Dom had never before had the desire to reach out and grab a man by the throat,
but now seemed like an excellent time to start. “What are you talking about?”
“You. Dotty deserves better than to be courted by a cold fish like you.”
Sweat broke out on Dom’s hands as he tapped his pencil. Was his cousin going to
forbid him from seeing her? Even the name, Dotty, that he’d hated, didn’t seem
so bad anymore. “Who said I was courting her?”
Leaning forward again, Worthington’s brows drew together. “That is exactly what
I am talking about. You care for no one but yourself and your blasted consequence.”
His hands curled into fists. “You nothing about me.”
“I know how you vote,” Worthington snarled. “I know you supported the Corn Laws
that will end up causing men, women, and children to starve.”
Of course Dom had voted for the Acts. His uncle had explained how it would help
the country. “Supporting the government is the right thing to do.”
“Only if you are a large landowner who doesn’t give a damn about anything or
anyone else.” Worthington’s jaw clenched. “But I didn’t come to talk politics to
you. How can you say you’re not courting her when you made an engagement to
attend the opera with her, had Countess Esterhazy, of all the busy gossips,
introduce you to Dotty to waltz, and asked her for a drive in the park today? Do
you honestly think the rest of the ton will be as sanguine as you are
being? You will have brought her into their sights, and if you cast her
aside, where will she be? Or do you even care? After all, she’s only the
daughter of a country baronet.”
The pencil Dom held snapped in two. Rage coursed through his veins, and he
wanted to strike out. He forced himself to calm down. Fighting with his cousin
would not help him. “Just what do you suggest I do?”
“Cancel your plans. Say you have an emergency at Merton or one of your other
estates, and leave Town.”
He breathed through his nose to keep from leaping over the desk and pummeling
Worthington. All his life he had done what others told him to do. No longer.
Damn. Baronet’s daughter or not, he wanted her. “No. If necessary I will see her
father and ask his permission, but you are not going to stop me from
courting her.”
What do you think? Can opposites attract?
The
Worthingtons
Thanks to their large extended family and unconventional courtship, the
Worthingtons have seen their share of scandal and excitement. But nothing has
prepared them for this...
The Dowager Lady Worthington isn’t quite sure what to make of country-girl
Dorothea Stern. As the granddaughter of the Duke of Bristol, Dotty is schooled
in the ways and means of the nobility. But her sharp wit and outspoken nature
has everyone in a tizzy. Especially their cousin, Dominic, the Marquis of Merton.
Prematurely stuffy, Dom was raised by his cheerless uncle to be wary of a host
of things, including innovation, waltzing, and most perilous of all: true love.
Still, there’s something about Dotty, beyond her beauty, that Dom cannot resist.
But the odds are against him if he intends to win her as his bride. Will he
choose loyalty to his family—or risk everything for the one woman he believes is
his perfect match…
Romance Historical
[Zebra Shout, On Sale: August 30, 2016, Paperback /
e-Book, ISBN: 9781420139570 / eISBN: 9781420139587]
Bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always
been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies,
were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start
writing them.
She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty
years. They have a son and granddaughter, one cat and a dog. After living in the
South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her
husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat
cruising the Caribbean and North America.
She loves having readers connect
with her.
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