Sebastian Townshend's life changed 11 years earlier when he accidentally killed his best friend in a duel. He hadn't known the woman he seduced was Giles' wife. Although forbidden to do so by his father, Sebastian goes to the duel with every intention of dying himself, and it's only a severely bad stroke of luck that causes him to shoot the man who'd been like a brother to him. Disowned by his father, Sebastian leaves England, vowing never to return.
Margaret Landor travels to France seeking the notorious Raven, a mercenary known for successfully taking on jobs that make others pale. She needs to find Sebastian Townshend fast, before yet another accident befalls his father, perhaps ending his life. She's had no success locating Sebastian herself and she's sure a man of the Raven's reputation will have no trouble locating him. Margaret is amazed to discover that the Raven is none other than Sebastian. Only some fast talking and serious bargaining convince Sebastian to break his vow and return to England to investigate the goings-on at his former home.
The two concoct a fake marriage in order for Sebastian to gain entrance to his former home, and their arrival is marred by yet another accident involving Douglas Townshend. Sebastian is immediately suspicious, especially after learning his younger brother, Denton, is unhappily married to the woman he'd killed his best friend over!
In their quest to discover what's behind all the mysterious accidents Douglas is experiencing, Sebastian and Margaret find themselves growing closer. Their attraction is growing harder and harder to hide, and both know Douglas will insist upon marriage if he ever discovers their deception.
Ms. Lindsey's MARRIAGE MOST SCANDALOUS is a keeper! She develops her characters slowly, giving readers a chance to get to know and care for them. Margaret and Sebastian are people struggling to overcome their pasts to create a brighter future for themselves. I loved the story and was treated to more than one unexpected twist that made the reading experience all the more enjoyable.
With the dazzling blend of romance, humor, and poignant
storytelling that has made her one of the world's best-
loved authors, Johanna Lindsey presents the passionate
Regency-era tale of an earl's daughter who dares to pose as
the wife of a deadly mercenary in order to save her former
guardian.
Lady Margaret Landor first met Sebastian Townshend as a
child, when he caught her peeking into her older sister's
engagement ball. Tall, dashing, and charming, Sebastian was
one of the most sought-after bachelors in Kent and cut a
romantic figure she would not soon forget. Never did she
dream that one day she would be living at his family's
magnificent estate with Sebastian's father, the eighth Earl
of Edgewood, as her guardian--while Sebastian is banished
from his family due to the tragic results of a duel.
When life at Edgewood takes a sinister turn with the earl
suffering a suspicious number of life-threatening
accidents, Margaret wonders if Sebastian's younger brother
and his wife have grown impatient to inherit the earldom.
Setting out to find the one man she believes can set the
situation to rights, she discovers that Sebastian Townshend
has forged a new identity for himself on the continent.
Now known as The Raven, a deadly mercenary, notorious for
accomplishing any mission no matter how seemingly
impossible, he has vowed never to return to England. Not
until Margaret meets his outrageous monetary demands does
Sebastian agree to return home, reluctantly posing as her
husband in order to facilitate his return to society. When
he learns she cannot afford to pay his fee, he suggests a
scandalous trade.
As Margaret and Sebastian work to uncover the intrigue at
his father's estate, afierce passion blooms that neither of
them anticipated and neither can resist. But can Margaret
persuade Sebastian to abandon the dark path he believes is
his fate and claim the life--and love--he deserves?
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