Courtship by Combat
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- Parts 27
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.
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georgian
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In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman will do anything to avoid matrimony to the county's finest suitors and to justly prove she doesn't need a husband to find her way in society. Even under the peril of her uncle losing his property and business to debt. In all but two months, she must prove to her family she's more than capable without a husband and can, in fact, exceed society's expectations of the female sex. But what woman can write what she hardly knows of the world, and its secrets? And most of all, how far is she willing to prove herself toward society and the Lord? At what cost for love? Maxmillian Knightley has returned from university in London, now facing the looming title of marquis. With that title comes responsibility to interact with those he despises most, and with which he must fight for his inheritance. But how far will he go in order to grow favor in the scrutiny of society and his stiff-neck father? He may be everything a woman of the ton looks for in a husband - titled, wealthy, and cheek bones that can draw in any woman - but he is in no mood to humor eligible women by participating in all things reformed. The question is: how far will he go to do everything against his own sensibility and judgment? For inheritance ... or for loyalty and love? The only common enlightenment between two entirely different sexes? A fondness for penmanship and our humorous Lord who writes the very novelty of life itself. And what happens if proving oneself leads to something quite worse? When it comes to love, making the right choices, these two are their own worst enemies. Copyright 2021 by Tehya Young COVER IS NOT THE ORIGINAL
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