Marriage by Design Series by Ruth Ann Nordin

They say a proper lady follows the rules. She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal. Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr... moreThey say a proper lady follows the rules. She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal. Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr. Morris' attention, and now he’s looking for someone else to marry. Determined to get him back, she hatches a plan to make him fall in love with her again. And doing so will require her to start breaking some rules. Hurt by Miss Lowell’s rejection, Mr. Roger Morris is seeking out another lady to court. But after endless social engagements, it starts to become clear to him that no one can take her place. Whether he likes it or not, he is doomed to love her. She is the perfect lady for him. But the last thing he wants to do is give in, especially when she creates a scandal that forces him to marry her. This might just be a match made in hell. Or maybe, quite possibly, heaven…as long as Lilly can figure out a way to make things right. less

Miss Emilia Stewart's life faces immediate ruin. Her friend made a little slip of the tongue, and now Lord Valentine thinks Emilia's in love with him.This is Lord Valentine of all gentlemen! Not only is he unfashionable and socially inept, but the mere thought of kissing him makes her shudder. What's worse is that her father has arranged for her to marry him. Being a lady with no say in her future has never been more unfair.She, however, is determined to overcome this cruel fate... moreMiss Emilia Stewart's life faces immediate ruin. Her friend made a little slip of the tongue, and now Lord Valentine thinks Emilia's in love with him.This is Lord Valentine of all gentlemen! Not only is he unfashionable and socially inept, but the mere thought of kissing him makes her shudder. What's worse is that her father has arranged for her to marry him. Being a lady with no say in her future has never been more unfair.She, however, is determined to overcome this cruel fate.There's still a chance to protect her future and keep her sanity intact. All she has to do is become the most repulsive and unattractive wife possible. Then Lord Valentine will insist they live separate lives, and she'll be spared the most unpleasant aspect of marriage--actually being in the same room with her husband. All she needs is a little ingenuity and help from her friends to make the plan work.This romantic comedy takes a fun look at one wife's dream of discouraging her husband from falling in love with her. less

Miss Kitty Farrow is under no illusion that her guardian cares anything about her, but when she finds out he wagered her in a gentleman's bet, she's in a state of complete shock. Not only has her choice in picking her own husband been taken away from her, but the earl her guardian is going to have her marry hates the very idea of having a wife at all.Aaron Henry, Earl of Northton, doesn't trust ladies. Any of them. From a young age, his mother taught him that all a lady is good for is an heir... moreMiss Kitty Farrow is under no illusion that her guardian cares anything about her, but when she finds out he wagered her in a gentleman's bet, she's in a state of complete shock. Not only has her choice in picking her own husband been taken away from her, but the earl her guardian is going to have her marry hates the very idea of having a wife at all.Aaron Henry, Earl of Northton, doesn't trust ladies. Any of them. From a young age, his mother taught him that all a lady is good for is an heir. If they're sweet, it's only to trick the gentleman into doing what they want, and once they get it, they're on to the next gentleman. So when he discovers the money he expected to win in a wager turns out to be the dowry of his future bride, he wants nothing to do with her.But whether Kitty or Aaron want the marriage or not, it's going to happen. And heaven help anyone who tries to make the marriage a love match. less