An Arranged Betrothal with a Scarred Viscount

An Arranged Betrothal with a Scarred Viscount (Marriages Under Conditions Book #3) HISTORICAL REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL Sally Forbes Copyright © 2021 by Sally Forbes All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. Table Of Contents Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-one Chapter Twenty-two Chapter Twenty-three Chapter Twenty-four Chapter Twenty-five Chapter Twenty-six Chapter Twenty-seven Chapter Twenty-eight Chapter Twenty-nine Chapter Thirty Epilogue How to Choose the Most Eligible Bachelor Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two About Sally Forbes Prologue Spring, 1816 Albert Billington smiled dotingly at his beloved fiancée, Cordelia Easton, as the last notes of the waltz came to an end. Her pale cheeks were flushed, and strands of her black hair had fallen into her light brown eyes. She was smiling back at him, looking at him as though she could see the night stars in his eyes. He knew he could certainly see them in hers. “I believe that’s the first time we’ve waltzed together,” Cordelia said, giggling. Albert nodded, taking a deep breath. The passion of the waltz was reserved for couples who were married, usually. Societal exceptions were made for those who were soon to be wed, however. Which Albert and Cordelia were. “But it won’t be the last, my darling,” he said, brushing some of her dark hair back behind her ear. Cordelia’s blush deepened and nodded. “I can hardly wait to be the viscountess of Billington,” she said. “Lady Cordelia Billington. That has such a lovely ring to it, doesn’t it?” Albert nodded again, lifting her left hand and kissing the diamond ring he had placed on her finger when he proposed to her a few weeks before. “Even lovelier than this ring, I dare say,” he said. Cordelia sighed. “Can you imagine being happier than we are this minute?” she asked. Albert shook his head. “I certainly cannot,” he said. “And I look for such happiness to follow us for the rest of our lives.” As soon as the hostess of the ball bade everyone a good evening, Albert escorted his fiancée to their waiting carriage. He hated each time he had to part with her. But with just one more week of banns being read before Cordelia was his wife, he was able to satisfy his heart. It was a beautiful night, and they still had a half hour carriage ride to her family’s home. He smiled again at his intended as he helped her into the carriage. “In you go, my love,” he said softly. Cordelia beamed at him as she settled in beside her lady’s maid and waited for him to join her in the coach, on the bench opposite her. “Oh, the moon is so full tonight,” she said, turning from him to gaze out the window as the carriage pulled away from the mansion. Albert looked at it with her, admiring how crystal clear the night sky was. Truthfully, it could have been completely cloudy and storming, and Cordelia’s beauty still would have made it one of the prettiest nights he had ever witnessed. “We will be married in less than a fortnight,” he said, grinning at his bride-to-be. As he anticipated, she squealed with delight and bounced in her seat. “Can you believe it?” she asked. “I am going for my final dress fitting in four days. Mother is coming with me to finalize the flower arrangements tomorrow. And then, we will be going to pick up all the custom-made accessories.” Albert listened to his future wife with pure joy. There was nothing better in the world than seeing her so happy. “That sounds delightful, darling,” he said sincerely. “I know that you will be the most beautiful bride in the world.” Cordelia blushed, continuing to gush about the remaining plans for the wedding. Albert was interested in every word, but his favorite thing was watching her face as she talked about things that excited her. There would never be a greater joy than that which he found in her eyes when she was in such high spirits. He was so lost in his bride-to-be’s conversation that, when the carriage jerked to a stop, he didn’t understand what had happened. Cordelia’s chipper voice trailed off and she strained to look out the window. Her hand was on the handle of the coach door when they heard muffled shouting. Fearing that the carriage had broken, and that the footmen were yelling for his attention, he gently scooted his fiancée to the side and headed for the carriage door. “Wait just a moment, my love,” he said, giving her a sweet smile. “I believe we are having carriage trouble. I shall go assess the situation and return to you directly.” Cordelia nodded, and he kissed her forehead. He was moving back toward the door when all the color drained from her face, and she started looking past him. Still in his dreamy haze, he didn’t think to turn around. He gave her another reassuring smile and started to tell her again that all was well. But before he could turn around, as his fingertips graced the coach door handle once more, he felt the sensation of falling, and then of hitting the ground with severe impact. He lay on his back, gasping for breath and beginning to understand that something was very wrong. His vision blurred from the lack of air and the dust that was disturbed when he hit the ground. He tried to roll