A Loveless Marriage
- Reads 95,670
- Votes 5,397
- Parts 41
Ongoing6h 56m
Last published Fri, Oct 24, 2025
"Well it is unfortunate that you will be saddled with a husband, despite your preference to remain a spinster," Mr Wilkes said with a smirk.
"I beg your pardon?"
The faintest alarm flickered in his eyes.
"You don't really intend to refuse me?"
The look on his face turned to that of a bewildered schoolboy. Frederick Wilkes was not used to refusal.
"You don't really mean to propose marriage to a lady you have just met?"
London, 1910. A strange bequest in a will leads to Mary Taylor hastily marrying reckless playboy Frederick Wilkes. Fred has a bad reputation but it is the seemingly moral Mary's past that threatens to destroy them both.
A story of love, betrayal and murder.
Best ranks: #1 in literary fiction, #1 in historical fiction #5 romance
All Rights Reserved
#184
downton
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
Marchioness Divine | A Regency Romance
1816. The young Lady Amelia Warstone comes into quite the fortune when her husband, the Marquess of Bedgebury, passes away. Amelia has hidden away from society for long enough and decides to join her husband's distant family in London for a season to bridge the feud in the family and help his cousin Frederick get used to his new title. Amelia is an immediate success, adored for her beauty, intelligence, and manners. With her newfound fortune she vows never to marry again and begins to enjoy the power the wields in London society. Lord Edward Herriot, the Earl of Holbeck, has his sights set on a triumphant parliamentary career. With his best friend Frederick now a Marquess in the House of Lords, there should be little standing between him and a cabinet position. Unfortunately the only person in his way is the glorious Lady Amelia Warstone, and here Edward has finally met his match. When Edward realises that he cannot defeat the power and influence that Amelia holds, he realises that the only way to control it is to marry the lady himself! How do you court a lady who is determined never to marry again? But Amelia is hiding a secret. A secret which could destroy herself and her new family. What is she willing to do to make sure she keeps it? And can she keep Edward far away enough to protect him, or will she give into temptation?Complete
The Beauty Of Rose
**DRAFT MOSTLY** FOR FANS OF BRIDGERTON Rose Axel is deformed from the burns she endured from her father. Her face is forever hidden under a veil. Her waist is much too wide, hips too ample. Too many prefer calling her fat. Or to her family, a cow. When hastily married after her father's death, to honor the agreement made in his will, she expects nothing of it. And she is right to think so. Matthew Whitfield is not happy upon receiving Rose as a bride. He cannot even look upon her, as she refuses to take off her veil, and has no features he considers attractive. The handsome charming Mr. Whitfield cannot be bothered by the likes of his wife. She is the fulfillment of a contract and nothing more. So he takes a mistress, and falls in love. Victoria Sill is everything Rose is not. Beautiful, gliding, and glowing. She's interested in one thing only, and that is to hold the title of Matthew's wife, Mrs. Whitfield. She doesn't care who she has to crush to get her way, be it Rose herself. Victoria always get what she wants. Be it one way or other. Soon Rose falls upon a secret that turns the tables. In addition, Victoria finds a way to become closer to the Whitfield name. A child. As the circumstances shift, and the Whitfield mansion is thrown into uproar, will this situation bring Matthew and Rose together? Or will Victoria succeed in keeping them apart? ---- #35 in victorian 5/13/22 #1 in oldtimes 5/23/22 #2 in regency 5/28/22 #1 in bridgerton 6/15/22 [[word count: 80,000-100,000 words]]Complete
The Reluctant Marchioness
After a disastrous first season in London, Rose Wilde finds herself torn between two men who love her -- but who both hide secrets that could ruin her. ***** Rose Wilde has always considered herself plain, especially when compared to her beautiful older sister Charlotte, and has practically given up on the idea of being romanced. But when American hotelier Derek Montgomery comes to revolutionise her little, sleepy English village of Ascot, Rose starts to revisit the idea of falling in love. However, Derek brings with him many secrets and obligations, some that might prohibit him from pursuing Rose -- and push her into the arms of her friend, Michael Cornell, the Marquess of Juniper. Will fate allow Rose and Derek to marry for love? Or will she indeed become the reluctant marchioness? [[Word count: 70,000 - 80,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Bandy (The Reluctant Marchioness is the sequel to The Coveted Countess, but can also be read as a standalone)Complete
Rediscovering Love
Carmella 'Ella' Camden, a curious and intelligent young woman, dreams of finding love and companionship. Despite her beauty and wit, she constantly feels overlooked by noble men during her social seasons, who only seem interested in her friends and relatives. Losing hope, Ella resigns herself to the life of a spinster. Meanwhile, Jeremiah 'Jeremy' Morvall, Duke of Darlington, returns to England after traveling for business, being left no choice he has to find a lady to shoo away the eager ladies and their mothers. Fate brings Jeremy and Ella together at a grand ball, where Ella seeks solace in the Duke's library, surrounded by books that have always been her faithful companions. Little does she know that Jeremy instantly becomes captivated by her enchanting presence. However, Ella's past experiences have left her feeling unworthy of such attention, and she dismisses Jeremy's interest as nothing more than a fleeting curiosity. As Jeremy persistently pursues Ella's affections, the walls around her heart begin to crumble. But can Ella overcome her insecurities and allow herself to believe in love once more? Will Jeremy's true motives be exposed, or will he prove himself to be a genuine and devoted suitor? "Rediscovering Love" is a heartwarming historical romance that explores themes of self-discovery, overcoming past disappointments, and finding love when least expected. Readers will be swept away on a journey filled with tender moments, unexpected twists, and the undeniable power of true love. #1 IN SEASON - 05TH MARCH 2025 #1 IN HISTORICAL - 18TH JUNE 2024 #2 IN HISTORICAL - 31ST OCTOBER 2024Complete
The Black Swan and the Officer
Despite the unshakable attraction between them, Maeve and Lucian are uninterested in love and marriage; especially since they hate one another and couldn't think of a worse match. • • • London, 1815 Maeve Langston's aversion to the opposite sex has given her the reputation of being an insufferable wench, so men have learned to stay away from her. Lucian Thorne, Baron Worthington, has become somewhat of a cynical hermit since his return from the Napoleonic wars, injured and disgruntled. When the two meet, they rapidly learn to despise each other. She appears to be a narcissistic brat, and he keeps acting like a pompous arse. Lucian wants nothing more than to stay away from Maeve, but his best friend has his eyes set on her for marriage. He has no choice but to show him the dreadful harpy that lies beneath the lovely facade. However, the more time they spend in each other's presence, the clearer it becomes that first impressions can be wrong. Between their unexpected similarities and the sparks that fly every time they meet, what started as hatred slowly shifts into something different. Something both of them will find much more dangerous. • • • This is the second installment of the Langston Series. Although I advise you to read the first one first (The Prince and the Spitfire), it can be read as a standalone.Complete
Pricing The Heart
Eloise is desperate to take charge of her life after losing her parents and home, and after discovering her uncle's plans to marry her off to a man three times her age. In an attempt to escape her uncle's vicious plans, she runs off with another man and marries him in haste. Newly married with dreams of a happy life, she soon realizes she's trapped in a nightmare with an abusive monster who has set his interests upon her purse. He squanders what's left of her money and in one last effort to humiliate her, sells her to a stranger for next to nothing. * David Clarke has banished himself from London for the part he played in the death of his wife. He relocates to the country to live the rest of his days in seclusion, and for five years, he lives a quiet life. However, a chance encounter one evening sees him paying the price for a bride he does not need. Yet, with each day that passes, he finds himself utterly wanting her. Copyright © 2022 Lily Orevba All rights reserved. TW: This book contains mentions of death and mental illness.Complete
His Irish Love | Thomas Barrow
Jessie Buckley, celebrated Irish actress and singer, had just wrapped filming Wicked Little Letters. But when a strange accident transports her to the 1920s, Jessie finds herself not on a film set, but living in the very real world of Downton Abbey-a world that is only fiction. To her astonishment, the Crawley family and their devoted servants are no characters on a script; they're flesh and blood, carrying out their lives in the grandeur of the grand estate. With no way to return to her own time, Jessie must adapt to the intricacies of Edwardian life. Stripped of her modern career and identity, she reinvents herself as a Lady of the house, all while concealing the truth of her origins. At first, Jessie feels like an outsider, caught between the rigid hierarchy upstairs and the vibrant lives of the servants below. But as she learns to navigate the elaborate social codes of Downton, she forms an unlikely bond with Thomas Barrow, the enigmatic first footman whose guarded demeanor hides a longing for acceptance and love. What begins as a friendship between two lonely souls soon blossoms into something deeper. Jessie, drawn to Thomas's vulnerability and resilience, finds herself falling for a man she once thought existed only in history. As their connection grows, Jessie faces an impossible choice: fight to return to the life and career she's known, or embrace a new existence-and a timeless love-in the past.Complete![A Bet On Hearts [Romantic Comedy]](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/351435223-256-k536785.jpg)
A Bet On Hearts [Romantic Comedy]
[IMPORTANT: This is a closed-door romance for readers uncomfortable reading heavy erotica and adult scenes.] Miss Mina Haswell has always been a firm believer in love, especially when it comes to her betrothed, a dear childhood friend. Years ago, however, fate took a cruel turn, draping her in mourning and casting her heart in grief. Though unable to even fathom the prospect of love once again blessing her life, she finds joy in her sister's happiness. After her father's untimely passing, the title of Viscount Sinclair unexpectedly falls to a distant relative, the somewhat reclusive Mr Royston Langdon. When their paths cross, Mina and Royston embark on an unconventional journey filled with unforeseen challenges. Intrigued by Miss Haswell, the newly minted Lord Sinclair proposes a daring wager - a game of hearts. If Mina can help Royston win the affection of his potential bride, he promises to triple her inheritance. In return, should Royston help Mina win the heart of her chosen suitor, she will be forced to give up her beloved summer residence, which holds her most cherished memories and represents a significant portion of her inheritance. Their stakes are equal - Mina has lived far from the scrutinising gaze of the ton, while Royston remains a newcomer to its complex world. But patience is not a virtue for which Miss Haswell is known, and Lord Sinclair seems to take a peculiar pleasure in vexing her at every turn. Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, societal expectations and their passionate exchange of wits, one question lingers: Can there be a winner from this daring wager, or will the unpredictability of love cause the rules to be rewritten? ♦♦♦ Contains themes of death and grief. ♦♦♦ ♥♥♥ Ambys 2024 Favorite ♥♥♥ The story is also available on Inkitt. #historicalromanceComplete
A Stark Mismatch
Determined to stay blissfully unmarried, Lady Angela Worthington hires club owner and secret matchmaker Gerard Stark to find a match for her best friend who plans on proposing to her. Love was always in the cards, she just never imagined it could be for her... ***** Angela Worthington has no intentions of finding a love match this season-she's far too busy planning a secret mission involving the Ramsbury Circus. So when she discovers her promising life as a spinster is threatened by her best friend, Spencer's plans to propose, she knows drastic measures are called for. To ward off Spencer's advances, she hires club owner Gerard Stark, who happens to be the mastermind behind a very hush-hush matchmaking service. But Stark's agreement to find Spencer a match comes at a price, and Angela finds herself quickly slipping out of her comfort zone. Angela has never longed for marriage, but there's something about the charming Mr. Stark that may be simply too hard to resist. [[Word count: 100,000 - 150,000]] Cover designed by Morgan Sangster Content/trigger warning: Contains mentions of sexual assaultComplete
Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book)
( COMPLETED STORY) What happens when the rakish Lord in the whole of London is truly falling in love with a simple, plain, and most ordinary girl, something he has been avoiding- his innermost fear. True love? Miss Amy Ott is London's newest riddle. . . She's the mysterious niece of one of England's wealthiest dukes, and is about to encounter her first season. Knowing nothing about the workings of corsets and country dances, she's looking for any help she can find... even when it comes from the most unlikely source... London's infamous rogue-an older Duke. Duke Wardington's face transformed into something... dark . "Don't fear, Miss Ott. I have no desire of you. What if I told you that I could make you the belle of the ball? In every ball. The entire season." Amy chuckled. "Me? The belle of the ball? Impossible!" ... Or was it? This catches the attention from the most unlikely, most alluring man in all of London. Lord Nathaniel Dawnton knows what he wants. Amy Ott. And... this is definitely not in a way that he could speak of in public. The scoundrel, who blackened his own soul, had met all sorts of women throughout his years, but none like Amy. He's intrigued and won't stop until he has her. When Nathaniel's pursuits meet the walls of Amy's strength, the young lord is ready to jump those walls blindly... But... he doesn't realize that a jump toward Amy might mean a fall toward love... something he has been avoiding-his innermost fear ... true love. Find out NOW!Complete
1816. The young Lady Amelia Warstone comes into quite the fortune when her husband, the Marquess of Bedgebury, passes away. Amelia has hidden away from society for long enough and decides to join her husband's distant family in London for a season to bridge the feud in the family and help his cousin Frederick get used to his new title. Amelia is an immediate success, adored for her beauty, intelligence, and manners. With her newfound fortune she vows never to marry again and begins to enjoy the power the wields in London society. Lord Edward Herriot, the Earl of Holbeck, has his sights set on a triumphant parliamentary career. With his best friend Frederick now a Marquess in the House of Lords, there should be little standing between him and a cabinet position. Unfortunately the only person in his way is the glorious Lady Amelia Warstone, and here Edward has finally met his match. When Edward realises that he cannot defeat the power and influence that Amelia holds, he realises that the only way to control it is to marry the lady himself! How do you court a lady who is determined never to marry again? But Amelia is hiding a secret. A secret which could destroy herself and her new family. What is she willing to do to make sure she keeps it? And can she keep Edward far away enough to protect him, or will she give into temptation?
More detailsContent Guidelines