Courtship by Combat - Percy Penworth - Wattpad

Courtship by Combat

Reads 4,194
Votes 258
Parts 27
Time 9h 2m

Reads 4,194
Votes 258
Parts 27
Time 9h 2m

Historical context:
By the time the Powers had caged Napoleon Bonaparte (Boney) his armies had ravaged all Europe. Only little England remains unscathed but for her soldiers. Her citizens were only touched emotionally. Soldiers return to crowds of hero-worshipers. The younger brother of the guillotined Louis 16th is propped up on the throne of France vacated by the Emperor Napoleon. But the ogre's old Grande Armee  chafes on the bit of idleness and King Louis's aristocrats pant for revenge.

Story:
Peacetime is no more tranquil than wartime for some families. 
The Darnleys are in debt. What is the solution? Their children must marry money. But while showing obedience, the siblings form their own ideas. Could the perfect partners fall for them? Could they fall for the perfect partners? Do perfect partners even exist? 
Politics refuses to bury the past. Covered intrigues and grudges must surface. Secrets decades old collide and rock foundations. Reputation and wealth is everything. War might return.

Extract: 
 "You are three-and-twenty and have been nine months in the army. You are inclined to kick up larks, gamble, game, bet, and flirt with actresses. You want taming. In a few words, you want a wife. Our house is on a financial precipice. Any gust of wind could push us onto the rocks below. We want wealth. Look about you at this season's debutants. Neglect the belles backstage. Look around you with a keen and serious eye. Before you have only inspected society beauties with a mind for dalliance. Now inspect them for the qualities that might suit you in a wife. I cannot dictate them. You are familiar with your own tastes. Let her be decent. Let her be comely and, above all, let her be wealthy."
   Completing this speech, Lord Darnley placed his fingertips together and awaited his son's response with a touch of his former anxiety.All Rights Reserved

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Slide 1 of 9

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓰'𝓼 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮 cover

In Magician's Embrace [BOOK 1 of Price Family Saga] cover

Lady Whittaker Wages War cover

1816: the Grandest Tour cover

Deceiving the Viscount cover

Just to Have You (Blackwood & Friends #3) cover

Inconveniences cover

The Subtle Art of Love and War cover

How To Unlock A Duke's Heart cover

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓰'𝓼 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮

"Have you ever loved anyone?" his tone was serious. "Love has many forms. I loved my mother and father..." I trailed off, hoping he would not catch on to my lie. "A blatant lie. You had no parents... Did you?" "How did you kno-" he cut me off. "I didn't, but now I do." he smirked, "You must have an affinity for telling lies, Miss Rosalie. Leads me to wonder what else it is you lie about." "I'll return to my room now." I turned away. "Why so eager to leave my company?" he pouted. "I thought I'd made it clear that I am not fond of it." I gave the King an irritated glare. "My dear, the more you say it, the less genuine it sounds." he turned, making his way back to the palace. King George III x OC Serving in the French army as the only female soldier made Rosalie Alcott determined to prove herself. So much so, that her life became something she was willing to risk. But when a sudden betrayal leaves her imprisoned, she is forced to reevaluate her priorities. Incarcerated, and awaiting nothing but death, she will be surprised to find something altogether unexpected - love - in the most unlikely of places, and in the most unlikely of people.