Shy Ivy Bateman has always felt more comfortable behind the scenes than front and center. She is happiest caring for her family and baking sweet treats. She certainly never expected the wealthy Marquess of Kendall to propose marriage, especially a marriage of convenience. It seems his baby daughter needs a mother, and Ivy cannot deny the attraction of the role, or the attraction she feels for the … the handsome marquess.
Kendall had asked Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency to find him a particular sort of lady. His heart went to the grave with his first wife. Now, all he cares about is ensuring his frail daughter doesn’t follow it. Installing Ivy Bateman as his next marchioness will not disrupt his life or make him question his love for his dead wife. But as he comes to appreciate Ivy’s sweet nature, he begins to wonder about their future. When an old enemy strikes at Miss Thorn and all her ladies, a grieving lord and a shy lady must work together to save the day. In doing so, they might just discover that love, and a good cinnamon bun, can heal all wounds.
Sequel to Never Kneel to a Knight. Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.
Here’s a little taste:
Lord Kendall was on one knee, gaze on hers, waiting. Fine lines fanned out from his eyes. It seemed she wasn’t the only one wondering about this proposal. Once she’d dreamed of a proposal from the man she loved, of accepting with joy in her heart. Was it right to accept when she felt no joy? Was it wrong to accept for her family’s sake?
As if determined to protect her, Fortune the cat stalked out from behind the couch, put her paws on Lord Kendall’s knee, and glared up at him, tail swishing.
Ivy leaned back. “Please. Do get up.”
He set the cat gently aside and climbed to his feet. Fortune paced back and forth in front of him, tail in the air, back up, ears tight, as if challenging him to combat.
He returned to the chair and sat. “I take it you decline.”
His voice was so heavy Ivy hurt for him. Twice in the last month he had come to her aid—once by taking her in secret to see her brother box for the prince and once by helping her find Petunia when her sister had disappeared. He had been a true friend then. He had been honest with her now. She could do no less.
“I am not declining,” she told him. As he raised his head, she hurried on. “Neither am I accepting. I understand the honor you have given me, my lord. I never thought to receive a proposal from a gentleman like you. But I had dreamed of a love match. Can you give me no hope of one someday?”
His eyes dipped at the corners. “Alas, Ivy, I cannot. My heart, once given, does not easily give again.”
How extraordinary. She had loved her mother, father, and brother. That love had only expanded with the births of Daisy and Tuny. Now it had grown yet again with the addition of Charlotte to their family. Had he focused all emotions on his dead wife?
What would it be like to win such a devotion for herself?
Dangerous thought. He offered her nothing of his love. Yet she knew love could grow. He clearly cared for his daughter. Might he someday come to care for her as well? Was she willing to risk her future on a chance?
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A lovely conclusion to the series
Never Marry a Marquess drew me in like a familiar friend from the start. Simply reading the first few words brought a smile to my face as I settled in to enjoy it.
What fun to add a marriage of convenience theme to Regina Scott’s Fortune’s Brides series. I wasn’t quite sure how she was going to get Ivy and Kendall together after having seen the possibilities in Never Kneel to a Knight. For some reason this was completely unexpected to me. Of course, having read the description, you probably saw what was going to happen. Me, I simply saw the author and knew I had to read it.
Though a little sad Fortune’s Brides has concluded, yet I am so glad to have the mysteries resolved and Miss Thorne happily settled. This has been a wonderful series. If you haven’t read the other books, go ahead and start from the beginning with Never Doubt a Duke. While it isn’t completely necessary, I’m sure you could figure out what is important as you read this one. They do all build on each other.
Read my review of Never Marry a Marquess by Regina Scott at AmongTheReads.net
Ivy Bateman agrees to marry the Marquess of Kendall for the sake of his daughter, who is getting weaker and weaker. Fall in love with the daughter and the father will fall for you as soon as she retrains him. Well not quite that simply. There are a few twists and turns involved. It is a good story.
The wealthy Marquess of Kendall proposes marriage to shy Ivy Bateman after they are locked in a room together. His baby daughter is in need of a mother, and Ivy will fit into his life perfectly. Ivy accepts, having spent her life caring for her family. When trouble looms, will these two band together to protect their new family and how long will it take love to form?
This seems as though it brings an end to the Fortune’s Brides series, though I am intrigued by hints at the end. I would love to see Fortune matchmake for second sons. Meredith Thorn has her happy ending after an old enemy appears to ruin things.
Ivy and Kendall were a sweet couple. Ivy’s devotion to baby Sophia was heartwarming. She accepts her position with trepidation and fights to manage things on her terms. Kendell clings to the love of his first wife, but slowly notices Ivy’s qualities.
The plot is easy to follow, with the characters shining throughout. We get to see past matches come forward to help Meredith defeat her enemy.
An excellent romance series with a hint of adventure. I would recommend this to any fans of Regency romance.
I loved this book from start to finish! Marriage of convenience stories are a favorite of mine, and this one was done exceptionally well.
I couldn’t help but love the main characters, Ivy and Kendall. Ivy was so good with baby Sophia and so understanding and caring toward Kendall. My heart hurt for her as she patiently hoped for the marriage to become one of love instead of convenience.
Kendall was another great character. His heart was so fragile from the death of his first wife and he had so much fear regarding the possibility of something happening to his baby, Sophia. He was quick to jump in to protect her from any harm he imagined, leading to some funny moments in the story. I loved how he grew in so many ways in this book.
I liked catching up with characters from the previous books, especially seeing how things turned out for Miss Thorn and Julian. I have enjoyed this series so much!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Never Marry a Marquess by Regina Scott
Fortune’s Brides Series Book Six
The Marquess of Kendall already had the love of his life once. He couldn’t open his heart up again. But…he needed a mother for his daughter. She wasn’t doing well and his last chance was a woman who would love her and help her to thrive.
Ivy Bateman had raised her two younger sisters and loved doing so. Now that her brother, Matthew, had saved the prince and been knighted, her new sister-in-law has sent her into Society…not her cup of tea, but hopefully things would settle down after the Season.
Ivy has the love and caring that Kendall needs for his daughter. As long as she can agree to a marriage of convenience, she’s the perfect choice. Great characters and story. Loved this series and the characters in it.
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