To Marry and to Meddle
A Novel
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“Sure to delight Bridgerton fans.” —USA TODAY
The “sweet, sexy, and utterly fun” (Emily Henry, author of People We Meet on Vacation) Regency Vows series continues with a witty, charming, and joyful novel following a seasoned debutante and a rakish theater owner as they navigate a complicated marriage of convenience.
Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons now and should have long settled into a suitable marriage. However, due to her father’s large debts, her only suitor is the persistent and odious owner of her father’s favorite gambling house. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. When their lives intersect at a house party, Lord Julian hatches a plan to benefit them both.
With a marriage of convenience, Emily will use her society connections to promote the theater to a more respectable clientele and Julian will take her out from under the shadows of her father’s unsavory associates. But they soon realize they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theater. But when a fleeing actress, murderous kitten, and meddlesome friends enter the fray, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings.
With “an arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice that rivals the best of the Regency authors” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another fresh romantic comedy that for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Waters's third Regency Vows romance (after To Love and to Loathe) is more than the marriage of convenience story line that sets up its plot, meshing the classic Regency theme of defying societal expectations with all the wit and humor of a rom-com. Lady Emily Turner is well into her sixth season on London's marriage market. Despite her beauty and spotless reputation, her father's extensive debts ensure she'll never receive a suitable proposal. Indeed, her only suitor is his father's horrid creditor—until theater owner Lord Julian Belfry offers her a way out. Though Julian is the black sheep of his family and his theater's known for courting scandal, his marriage proposal would free Emily's family financially and she readily accepts. Meanwhile, Julian hopes his faultless new bride will improve his theater's reputation. Neither is prepared to fall in love, but as Julian treats Emily as his equal and Emily takes an interest in his theater, romance blooms. Waters makes them an easy couple to root for by highlighting the unconditional support that comes with love. The result is a fun romp full of smiles.