She held out her hand to him. ‘Then we have a deal?’
He eyed her fingers with the same amusement he’d demonstrated during their entire discussion. Embarrassment eroded her confidence as her hand hung in the air, waiting for him to take it. For all his glib lightheartedness, she sensed the serious streak lying just beneath the humour. He was considering her offer and whether or not she was worth the risk. He wouldn’t be the only one taking a chance with this challenge. She would be too. But it was worth it if it meant ending her time with the Rocklands and the taint of being a mistake and an unwanted intrusion.
At last he slid his hand into hers, his hold hot and hard. Her heart began to race and she took a deep breath to steady herself, willing her body not to tremble. If he experienced any measure of the heat sliding through her at the joining of their skin he didn’t reveal it, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a smile both amused and enticing.
‘We do.’
He smiled with a wickedness to nearly make her faint.
When Justin Connor first made his appearance as Philip’s friend in A Debt Paid in Marriage, he captured me with his charm. It’s his determination to succeed, to rise above everyone’s low expectations of him, that I chose to explore in A Too Convenient Marriage. In doing so I introduced him to Susanna, a heroine who learns that she is so much more than what other people think. Together they support one another, and overcome all obstacles to find the love they deserve.
Many times in our lives we reach a point where we have to throw off the expectations of others and have faith in ourselves in order to achieve our dreams. It isn’t always easy—especially when things are difficult and we want to quit. Justin and Susanna’s story is about doing what it takes to reach a goal—never giving up and learning to ignore people’s negative opinions. It’s also about drawing strength from those who love and support us and remembering to cherish them.
I hope A Too Convenient Marriage inspires you to keep striving, to continue loving and always to believe in yourself and what you want to achieve.
A Too Convenient Marriage
Georgie Lee
A lifelong history buff, GEORGIE LEE hasn’t given up hope that she will one day inherit a title and a manor house. Until then she fulfils her dreams of lords, ladies and a Season in London through her stories. When not writing, she can be found reading non-fiction history or watching any film with a costume and an accent.
Please visit georgie-lee.com to learn more about Georgie and her books.
To my husband, who believes in me and my dreams.
Contents
London—May 1818
‘Marry you?’ Helena Gammon sat back from Justin Connor, her ungloved hand stilling on his chest beneath his shirt. A horse snorted from somewhere outside his chaise where it sat parked in a long row of conveyances in front of Vauxhall Gardens.
‘I’m quite serious. We get on well together, especially at night,’ Justin murmured against the buxom little widow’s neck. ‘Soon, I’ll have the resources to establish myself in the wine trade. I’ll need a wife who can manage as well in my business as in my bed.’
She shifted out of his embrace and laid her hands in her lap as though they were at tea. ‘There are other matters to consider.’
Her lack of enthusiasm wasn’t how he’d imagined this proposal unfolding.
‘Such as?’ Justin leaned back against the squabs, sure he wasn’t going to like what he was about to hear.
‘You aren’t likely to make a go of it.’ She shrugged as though his failure was predetermined. ‘Not after what happened with the last one.’
‘The storm sank the ship.’ And my business. He pulled his gaping shirt closed. He thought everyone understood that little fact. Apparently he was wrong. ‘There was nothing I or anyone could have done to prevent it.’
Despite months of careful planning, researching, investing, hiring the most capable captain and the sturdiest ship, his first foray into business had dropped to the bottom of the English Channel, taking with it a considerable amount of his money. He hated ships.
‘Even if you did manage to make a go of it, I’m tired of being some unpaid servant to my husband’s ventures. I worked myself to the bone with Mr Gammon. Now I want to be free of such concerns.’ She tugged her bodice up higher over her ample breasts. ‘Mr