The Earl's Bookish Bride

The Earl's Bookish Bride A REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL BRIDGET BARTON Copyright © 2023 by Bridget Barton 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. Website: Bridget Barton Table of Contents Table of Contents Free Exclusive Gift The Earl's Bookish Bride Introduction Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Epilogue A Lord's Unspoken Promise Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Free Exclusive Gift Sign up for my mailing list to be notified of hot new releases and get my latest Full-Length Novel “Honorable Rosalind’s Heart” (available only to my subscribers) for FREE! Click the link or enter it into your browser http://bridgetbarton.com/rosalind The Earl's Bookish Bride Introduction Marianne Hastings is a devoted daughter, dutifully caring for her ailing father over the last several years. As she reluctantly prepares for the London Season to please her father, she highly doubts she could find a suitable match in the pretentious rituals of the ton. When her father collapses at the opera one night though, a handsome young stranger will offer his assistance and unintentionally capture her heart… Will she be able to get past her prejudice and take the leap to real love? Philip Ramsay, the Earl of Berkeley, has been warned against marrying for love. After making a promise to his father on his deathbed, he is determined to find a suitable match and thus starts courting a fitting lady. When he meets Marianne though, he finds himself surprisingly stricken with her wit, kindness and unique beauty… Will he be able to overlook his father's dying wish and trust his own heart? As they start falling in love, and their paths begin to entwine more than either of them expected, Marianne and Philip must confront society and disheartening family expectations. With Philip’s scheming intended sabotaging them as well, will they be able to stay true to their love or will they be forced into loveless marriages of convenience? Prologue February 1810 Philip Hastings sat at his father's bedside, watching as the flame of a single candle created an orange glow over the person slipping away from him in the four-poster bed. It had been expected that the earl would not make it through the night, but that had been four days ago, and he still clung to life. Not that Philip was looking forward to his father's exit from this world. He would much rather have him make a miraculous recovery. Despite the earl’s more serious nature, Philip loved him. His father stirred, and Philip leaned forward to take his hand. His father coughed, frowning as he struggled for breath. "Victor—?" the earl called. "No, Father. It's Philip. Victor is still at university, remember?" His father blinked slowly but did not respond. "Victor is on his way home as we speak." Philip squeezed his hand, but his father barely had the strength to keep his eyes open. "I am glad you are here," the earl croaked. "I must speak with you." "What is it, Father?" Philip asked. He leaned closer, trying to hear his father's quiet voice. His father pulled his hand away from Philip's grip and pointed at the glass of water on the side table. Philip stood, helping him drink by cupping the back of his head. Water dribbled down his chin, and Philip wiped it away. His father lay back on the pillows, sighing in pain. "You must take a wife." Philip sat down, wondering why his father should be worried about his marital status at this time. He had hoped for something along the lines of the earl telling him he was proud of him or giving some last nugget of wisdom as he took over the estate. "A wife?" Philip repeated. His father coughed again. Philip handed him a handkerchief, and when the earl finished the bout, the handkerchief came away with tiny drops of blood. Philip hung his head. It could not be long now. "Yes. You must take a wife—and soon." His father reached for his hand, and Philip gave it to him. He gripped it with surprising strength this time. "Do not take a wife just because you may be attracted to her. You know what I have tried to tell you all your life–not to follow your heart when choosing a bride. Love is a fickle mistress." He took another long, shaky breath. Philip was not sure how to respond. He had heard his father's lectures on marriage since he was an adolescent. "Father—" "I do not want to hear your arguments, Philip. It is paramount that you take a wife and produce an heir as soon as possible. You must make sure that the Ramsay name goes on." His father stopped for a moment, taking a moment to catch his breath. “Must continue the legacy—” Philip knew all too well what his father referred to. Marriage. And the futility of marrying for love.” Father, what happened between you and Mama?" Philip had heard several stories at his mother's knee of how his parents had met. It had been at a ball, love at first sight, and they had thankfully both been from noble, wealthy families. It should have been a match made in heaven. His father's eyes filled with regret. "I did love