The Marquess's Scandalous Game

Damsel in Distress #3

by Hayleigh Mills

Opposites Attract
Miss Emma Corbett’s dream of being a healer is threatened when her father's gambling debts plunge her family into ruin. Facing this bleak reality, Emma contemplates marrying to rescue her loved ones.

The Marquess of Adlington, Leopold Newton, haunted by the painful loss of his family, seeks a wife. Despite hardening his heart, he is captivated by Emma’s wit and daring nature. He pursues her, only to be met with her steadfast resistance.

Leopold resorts to scandalous means to claim her hand when his conventional courtship fails. As their passion sizzles into something deeper, the last thing Leopold anticipated is finding Emma so difficult to resist...

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Historical

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2024

About the author

Hayleigh Mills became passionate about romance when she started reading Mills & Boon in her late teens. She is an avid reader of historical romance, including the medieval period.

Hayleigh pursued a career in the medical field but maintained a strong affinity for all things historical. She boldly decided to relinquish practicing to follow her dream of becoming an author of historical romance.

Reviews

[Janet]

4.5 Stars
Miss Emma Corbett’s dream of being a healer is threatened when her father's gambling debts threaten to ruin the family. The Marquis of Adlington, Leopold Newton, haunted by the painful loss of his family, seeks a wife. Despite hardening his heart, he is captivated by Emma’s wit and daring nature. He pursues her, only to be met with her steadfast resistance. Leopold resorts to scandalous means to claim her hand when his conventional courtship fails. As their passion sizzles into something deeper, the last thing Leopold anticipated is finding Emma so difficult to resist.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. An engaging, delightful romance. I loved both Leo & Emma & thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA. It wasn’t an easy journey as the broody Leo was frightened to love, Emma was a ray of sunshine & a skilled healer but Leo was against her practising, I loved how they eventually resolved their differences & reached a compromise. I’m loving the author’s books & how she is honing her craft
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Rose Seals]

What a beautiful cover. Well written, full of drama, emotions, society, steam, love, romance, illness, family issues, gambling with lots of twists. Emma is a young lady who wants to help heal people as her mother had taught her. She hates the balls and everything that goes with it. Leopold is a Marquess who has lost everything he valved- family to his death. As he was not there at the time, he blames himself and for not saying goodby. As they meet at a ball which neither of them really want to be at, they do cross paths in the gardens. After a fiery talk in the gardens, he asks her to dance and she refuses him. Leo decides that she is the one for him. He needs a wife and children to help him deal with his losses. Lots of action and adventure, some history into the mix for a fabulous book to curl up with and enjoy. You will not be able to put it down till the end and still want more. Would strongly recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington]

Not an Easy Love Story . . .

** 3.5 Stars **
Emma Corbett, the daughter of a baron, is a healer with a burning desire to help others, but her father's selfish gambling debts force her to change direction. At a ball, Leopold Newton, Marquess of Adlington, having lost his parents and siblings to cholera, had finally decided he needs a wife and family and when Emma won’t dance with him, pretending a headache and fleeing from his presence, he decides she is the one he chooses! He is determined to get what he wants. Will he then prevent her from using her healing talents to help others (although she does makes some foolish choices)? Will he insist on having her behave the way he instructs despite her own wishes to help others? Or will they find a compromise that would make both of them happy? (They both came across to me as immature, inflexible, stubborn, and perhaps not ready to be married. I didn’t like Leopold’s approach to getting his own way, nor Emma’s defiance that would put her in potential harm.)

[Tiffany P]

Love took too long…..

This was the love story of Emma and Leo. Leo knew from the moment he met her that he wanted to marry Emma. She had decided she never wanted to marry. Certain circumstances made it impossible for her to decline his proposal so she was determined to not give up her freedom like she felt marriage required. Leo continued to be giving and share his feelings, but she still tended to be stubborn and selfish at times. It took the possibility of losing him for Emma to realize how much she loved him and what really mattered to her.

The bond between Leo and Emma was well built during their period of courting and the beginning of the marriage. However, their concerns regarding his fears and her passion for healing just seemed to be over explained. There was too much internal dialogue discussing this. It made the story a bit wordy, and it prolonged getting to the happily ever after. Emma was a bit annoying at times when she kept refusing to understand that he was driven by fear and his care for her so I could only give 3 stars.

[Jayne Butcher]

This is a lovely story filled with emotional ups and downs. Leopold met Emma when he overheard her talking to herself in a garden during a ball. He was captivated, as was she, but she had no desire to marry. She wanted to be a healer and she knew that a husband would forbid her to do so. Emma allowed her father to talk her into a courtship with Leopold, and even though she enjoyed his company, she was determined not to marry him…..until he used her father’s financial situation to force her hand. Their relationship was progressing well, and their nights were steamy until he was called away on business and she broke a promise she made to him. What follows is a time filled with anger, fear, heartache and a whole lot of soul searching. This well written story will grab your interest, engage your heart, and kick you in the guts, but you will not be able to put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Le]

2.5 stars. Spoilers ahead.

This had potential but both the main characters were confusing. Emma’s spirit and ambition to be a healer is what attracted Leo to her in the first place but once married he forbade her from continuing. She knew why being amongst sick people especially those suffering from cholera would be a massive trigger and worry for him yet goes and tends to people possibly suffering from this just because her younger sister guilted her about helping and thus endangering herself and her baby. Then after almost losing her to illness Leo ups and decides to leave her and claims he will take their child away from her after it is born – like what? The sex scenes were written very well but this was not enough to round up the rating as no matter how hot these were, if the characters themselves aren’t likeable it doesn’t matter.

[bell]

Emma, the heroine, is a gifted healer/herbalist. She is afraid that if she marries- her husband, and societies expectations, would force her to stop her healing practices. Since she considers it her duty to heal others, she has no plans to marry and instead plans to devote her life to healing the sick and injured.
Leopold is a broken man who has suppressed his emotions. When he meets Emma, he starts to feel something other than loneliness and apathy. He knows she has no desire to marry but feels he can't be "whole" without her. The plot centers around his pursuit of her and how they grow emotionally as a couple, as well as Leopold learning to accept others as they are.
It was a wonderful book and one I would reread.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Robinson]

Emma is a healer and doesn’t want to marry. Leo is willing to do whatever it takes to make her his wife. This story revolves around the effects of grief and the subject is well written about. The first part of the book was well done, the story flowed well and characters engaging. After the wedding was an entirely different story. I had a hard time liking either character. I got so frustrated with both of them acting like selfish little brats instead of the adults they were supposed to be. It was only in reading the last chapter, I began to understand what the author was trying to accomplish, but honestly I struggled with it. It is a good story, just wished the H/h was more likeable.

I received this book for free from E-Book Discovery.This is my voluntary, honest review.

[Margaret Watkins]

When dreams are threatened in this rather steamy romance, Emma Corbett feels betrayed by both her father and her new husband. Falling in love with the Marquess of Adlington may have been enough for most young ladies, but Emma has a calling, and denying who she is at her very core, complicates the relationship she has with her husband. It takes a near tragedy for both Leopold and Emma to recognize what is most important in a marriage and to meet halfway. Despite what may have seemed a disaster in fact turns their marriage around, setting them in a new direction with a brighter future. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Toyenlon]

This is an interesting read. Emma fancies herself as a healer and doesn't want to get married because the society frowns upon a lady acting as one. Leopold is a marquess who lost his family some years back to the dreadful disease known as blue death. He suffered from anger, depression and loneliness. He decided to snap out of it and get married in order to raise his own family and have an heir. He decided to pursue Emma and have her as his wife. Will he succeed? will Emma give up healing for him? Will they have an happily ever after? Grab your copy and find out. "I received this book from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review"

[Monique]

Another spellbinding tale of love, resilience, and unexpected passion by Mills. The story unfolds in a world where dreams clash with harsh realities, and two souls find themselves entangled in a captivating dance against the backdrop of societal expectations.

The Marquess's Scandalous Game is a delightful blend of romance, intrigue, and a touch of scandal. If you're a fan of historical romance with strong-willed heroines, brooding heroes, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this is a must-read. Eagerly awaiting Mills next enchanting story.

[Nancy]

Hayleigh Mills is a good author. I have enjoyed reading her novels. Her female characters tend to have interests and ambitions that are not in character for a debutante in the 1800s. Yet, the author manages to weave these unusual aspects of her characters into the historical world she writes about.

I will continue reading her books as they are interesting and engrossing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[2Winters]

The writing was good except it had a gap or two. Example; H was invited back to Emma's house the next day for afternoon tea, I think it was to propose to her, but it skips to the ball a day or so later? They were not my favorite H & h, they were too intent on their own agendas, which affected the story. So not my favorite HR. After awhile I found myself skipping through it. I felt it lacked a touch of humor and it seemed to emphasis sex a little more than I like.

[Debbie]

Leopold and Emma. She wants to be a doctor but her father has thrust them into debt and she may have to marry to pull them out. He has lost his family and seeks a marriage. When he meets her is is taken with her and she refuses him so he turns to devious means to get her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karian Gallow]

Third in the series and I've read them all. A passionate love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Leopold wants a wife but Emma doesn't want a husband. She aims to follow her calling as a healer but her father's gambling debts puts her into a difficult situation. Leopold has suffered a great loss and Emma is the one that that healed his heart and showed him he could love again.

[Hector Gerald]

Emma is a lady with a purpose and it was not to be a wife. She is a gifted healer so she refused Leopold's attention. Leopold forces her hand and she marries him to save her family. Passion led to something beautiful.

[Cathy]

This book was so terrible that I probably skimmed 30% of it. The writer should have taken a course on writing novels. I hated this and I have another book by this author on my kindle. What should I do?

[Eva]

Love Conquered

This book is the third in the series. Leopold is alone in the world. He has lost his entire family and he yearns to fill that void. He has decided that Emma is the one but she has other plans. Her father’s gambling debts throws her plans into disarray. They embarked on a journey to sooth their souls and find love.

[Cheryl]

RTF

[Margaret Swanson]

Excellent work

The testing of true love can be heart wrenching at times as the lovers grow in their knowledge of one another. Such is this amazing story.

[Virginia]

Lots of graphic sex.

[Susan Jackson]

DNF at 38%. I just got irritated with the writing style and the characters.

[Aj]

Entertaining and passionate romance.