Il marchese di Stowe è costretto a sposarsi per preservare la dignità della sua amante. Per evitare un matrimonio non voluto, decide di inscenare un fidanzamento... e la umile Ajanta sembra essere la ragazza perfetta. Cosa può andare storto? Inghilterra, 1818. Questa volta il marchese di Stowe l'ha fatta il marito della sua amante ha scoperto tutto, e ora lei, in preda al panico, ha chiesto al marchese di trovarsi quanto prima una donna da sposare, così da limitare i danni dello scandalo. La prospettiva di un matrimonio con una noiosa donna dell'alta società inglese non alletta il marchese. Decide perciò di assoldare Ajanta, figlia di un modesto curato di campagna, per fingersi la sua promessa sposa. L'idea sembra perfetta, se non fosse che Ajanta è molto meno manovrabile e molto più affascinante di quanto il marchese si sarebbe mai aspettato... -
Born in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books. As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales. Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade. Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all. Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
The Marquis of Stowe is on the verge of a dreadful scandal that threatens to ruin both him and the lovely, but married, Lady Burnham. Knowing that their secret is out and that her husband will be plotting revenge, the Marquis casts about desperately for a way to avoid the scandal, which he knows is inevitable despite the wealth and good looks that have made him a darling of the Beau Monde. Seeing a perfect solution, he decides to offer marriage to the Duke of Dawlish’s daughter and leaves for the country. Surely the Duke will be grateful for his daughter to make such a match? There is only one problem – marrying the Duke’s daughter might provide a way out of his current dilemma, but having met her the Marquis is dismayed by her dullness. Horrified at the sacrifice he would have to make, he suddenly realises that there is another way to put the cuckolded husband off the scent and preserve his freedom – as long as he can find a young woman happy to go along with his seemingly foolproof idea. Eager to renew his acquaintance with Ajanta Tiverton, the beautiful daughter of a local Vicar, the Marquis hurtles to the Vicarage to tell her his plan and the role that only she can play. Certain that this will get him out of immediate danger and sure that he can offer an attractive financial incentive to help the impoverished family, it seems that if their daring charade is successful everyone involved will benefit. All Ajanta has to do is play her part and all will be well. Swept into a rich luxurious world they have never known before, the Marquis sets out to charm the Vicar and Ajanta’s sisters. Delighted by their new surroundings and excited by the attention of the eloquent Marquis they cannot believe the happiness Ajanta has bought into their lives. But the Marquis is not the only one masking the truth – Ajanta too has a family secret she would prefer not to share and, as the deception continues and feelings run high, she cannot help but worry what will happen in the final Act of their play and where the curtain will fall.
x.1818. Stowe avoids being named in divorce by Lord Burnham, proposes. to Ajante, loveliest daughter of Vicar meet when sister has coach accident, involves families.Typo 5.1 laid IS lay
LOVED this story. Think there could have been more eternity and i am NOT crazy about Barbara Cartland's habit of using the . . . in every book. It makes the female characters seem feeble and meek. But, I loved the characters and story line. Totally in love with the Marquis. Thought Ajanta could have been a stronger character. Enjoyable easy read.