Beau Braydon enjoys his life just as it is. He likes living in town, and he likes the assignments he takes on in service to the crown. The last thing he ever expected, or wanted, was to inherit a title, but that's exactly what happened, and he is now Viscount Dauntry. In addition to the title, he now has an estate in the country that's in need of attention. Said estate is also inhabited by the late viscount's nasty mother, and his daughter. The mother wants to retain control of the estate, and is using her granddaughter as a pawn, to try to entice Beau into marrying her. Beau has decided that he needs to find a sensible woman quickly - one who will accept a marriage of convenience in exchange for a title and will let Beau continue with his own town life while she manages the country estate.

Kitty Cateril has been a widow for two years now. Upon her husband's death, she had no choice but to move in with her in-laws. Her late husband's mother has not stopped grieving, and fully expects Kitty to remain in mourning forever. Kitty loved her husband, but now she longs for clothes that aren't black, and cheerful company. When she receives a letter from a friend, informing her of a lord who wants to marry immediately, she is desperate enough to escape her suffocating mother- in-law, that she agrees to meet the man.

Kitty and Beau meet by accident before their arranged time, and things don't go well. They both assume that they won't suit, but at their next meeting, they have much better impressions of each other, and agree to wed quickly. Beau had intended to spend some time at the country estate, but he receives an urgent summons calling him back to town right after the wedding. In order to stop any gossip, he agrees to take Kitty with him. Surprisingly, they find much to talk about and begin to enjoy each other's company. Since they are both attracted to the other, they immediately jump in to the physical side of marriage. In a very short amount of time, they find themselves falling in love.

There are many obstacles for this couple to overcome if they are to make their arrangement a marriage of love, rather than just convenience. In town, Kitty is surrounded by adoring soldiers, friends of her late husband. What is the truth of her first marriage? What are the secret assignments Beau performs for the crown? What is the mystery surrounding his predecessor? How can they even be together if she must be in the country while he stays in town? I liked both Beau and Kitty very much. I admired their directness and intelligence. They weren't coy about their desire for each other. I did have some trouble believing they both fell in love almost immediately, as this story takes place in a very short span of time. Still, THE VISCOUNT NEEDS A WIFE is so engaging and well written, that I found myself just enjoying the ride, and a quite brilliant and satisfying solution to neatly tie up the loose ends.