Courtship by Combat - Percy Penworth - Wattpad

Courtship by Combat

Reads 4,190
Votes 258
Parts 27
Time 9h 2m

Reads 4,190
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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Wonderland by Night

Lady Sarah Emiline Lucia needs to hide her identity for fear that mobs will kill her and her family after her uncle-Napoleon Bonaparte-is exiled to Melba. She is sent to Hampshire, England, to stay with friends of her father. To stay safe, she must play the role of her maid while her maid assumes Lady Sarah's identity. Complications arise when she meets the very handsome man, and she suddenly wants him to look at her as a real woman, not a servant. Protecting her life, however, is more important than confessing the truth Gabriel Lawrence's pirate ship is almost captured, and this time it was too close. He and his crew need to hide for a few months in hopes that Napoleon's men who seek revenge will soon forget about him. During his stay at his aunt and uncle's in Hampshire, he meets his enemy's niece. Because she doesn't know who Gabe is, he will become close to her to see if she knows any more of her uncle's secrets. But the beauty of her companion, Miss Emmie, captures his attention, and her quirky personality keeps him wanting more. But her over-zealous nature for adventure places both of them in danger, and he's forced to play the honorable rogue. How can he protect them both when an unknown spy is always one step ahead...and wants Gabe dead? Content warning: This story contains a mild amount of violence, and a kidnapping scene... along with plenty of falling in love.