“Release me from the contract and I will make certain Papa pays you every penny from the estate.”
“No. Jilt me and you will be ruined, your father and sister with you.”
“But why?” Lottie was puzzled.
“Because I need an heir. One woman is as good as another in the dark. Your father owes me and you chose to deceive me. You will keep your part of the bargain whether you wish it or not.”
Tears were stinging behind her eyes, but Lottie refused to let them fall.
“Have it your own way, sir. You hold all the cards it seems but you may come to regret this…” She walked past him and this time he let her go.
Bartered Bride
Harlequin® Historical #303—March 2011
ANNE HERRIES
Award-winning author Anne Herries lives in Cambridgeshire, England. She is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her books—although they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment, and to give pleasure to her readers. She invites readers to contact her on her website: www.lindasole.co.uk.
Bartered Bride
Anne Herries
Available from Harlequin® Historical and ANNE HERRIES
*A Knight of Honor #184
*Her Knight Protector #188
**Lady in Waiting #202
**The Adventurer’s Wife #208
††Forbidden Lady #209
†An Improper Companion #227
††The Lord’s Forced Bride #231
†A Wealthy Widow #235
†A Worthy Gentleman #243
††Her Dark and Dangerous Lord #249
‡Marianne and the Marquis #258
‡Married by Christmas #261
‡Marrying Captain Jack #265
The Unknown Heir #269
Ransom Bride #276
††Fugitive Countess #279
Bought for the Harem #285
The Homeless Heiress #292
Secret Heiress #297
Bartered Bride #303
Did you know some of these titles are also available as ebooks? Visit www.eHarlequin.com
A Season in Town
a new miniseries from Anne Herries
Look for
A Country Miss in Hanover Square An Innocent Debutante in Hanover Square The Mistress of Hanover Square
Coming soon
Praise for Anne Herries
“In An Innocent Debutante in Hanover Square, Anne Herries shows us how life was not always easy for the less fortunate in Regency England… These and other social issues combine with danger…making it a great read from beginning to end.”
—Cataromance
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Prologue
Nicolas, Marquis of Rothsay, nine and twenty, tall, strong, handsome, and known to most of society as a cold heartless rake, looked helplessly at the diminutive lady before him. Henrietta, Countess Selby, might reach no higher than his shoulder in her heels but she was the only person he would heed, the only person he truly cared for in the world—and, he sometimes thought, the only person who cared two hoots for him.
‘Marry to get an heir, dearest Henri?’ he murmured, looking at his godmother with a sceptical expression. ‘Who do you suppose would have me? The matchmaking mamas take one look and stay well clear of me for fear I may corrupt their little darlings.’
‘More fool them,’ Henrietta replied, a sparkle in her eye. ‘Besides, it is no such thing. You know very well that there are many young ladies who would be happy to become your wife.’
‘Why, for the sake of my fortune?’
His dark eyes smouldered, a mutinous, brooding expression on lips that could at certain moments be sensual and
