Lu_Shui

[A Regency Era novel, #vengeance #weaktostrong #heiress #loveaftermarriage #noblefamily #dramatic #betrayal]

"Lady Blanchard," the Marquess of Canterbury announced, his voice carrying a hint of surprise as he swept off his cocked hat and handed it to the waiting butler. He then stepped into the drawing room, his eyes immediately falling upon her.
The cup of tea and a plate of pastries on the coffee table suggested that she had been waiting for his arrival for some time.
"What a surprise," he continued, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone. "Do you require anything from me?"
"Indeed, Your Grace," Maggie replied, her voice steady despite the weight of her proposition.
The Marquess's amusement vanished, replaced by a flicker of suspicion. He crossed his arms in a haughty manner, his posture demanding an explanation. "And what might that be?" he inquired, his voice laced with a cool formality.
"I would like to propose," Maggie began, meeting his gaze directly, "a marriage alliance between us."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Upon her father's untimely demise, Lady Marguerite “Maggie” Delaney Antoine Blanchard was betrayed by the man he loved, Nicholas Cunningham, and the only other relative she trusted, Nicholas' father, Lloyd Cunningham.
She found much-needed support in the Marquess of Canterbury, Percival Clement Duane Locksworth, whom she did not care for due to the unfortunate nature of their first meeting, but who turned out to be the lifeline she needed to exact his revenge and regain the Countess of Huntington title.
When Maggie offered the Marquess a beneficial deal in exchange for his hand in marriage, would the not-so-charming gentleman say yes?
And if he did, would Maggie be able to win the claim for the Earldom of Huntington and retain it within the Blanchard family's ownership? Or would she crumble under the storm of the Marquess's gaze, his presence a churning sea threatening to engulf her whole?

Marguerite's Pledge for Redemption

When Percy returned after three days, he was greeted by his wife with a hug and a kiss.

"Welcome back, Percy," Maggie beamed at him. "How was your trip? Did you manage to find your runaway brother?"

"Oh, yes," Percy quipped. "I even brought him along. The coward refuses to return home for the time being. I suppose staying at Canterbury House is still better than squandering money at brothel houses."

Adrian, who towed behind his elder brother, quickly snapped his head up in alarm.

"They are no prostitutes, Percy! Those women are dear, dear friends of mine!"

"Friends who slept with you in return for money," Percy snapped.

"Sleeping with me was a voluntary act," Adrian insisted. "But I can never accept their generosity without giving anything in return. Of course I had to share what I have!"

"I am going to ask Father to cut your annual income to two thousand pounds a year."

Chapter 43 - Maggie's Newest Kitchen Hire