Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The Reluctant Bride - cover

The Reluctant Bride

Barbara Cartland

Publisher: Barbara Cartland

  • 0
  • 7
  • 0

Summary

In the economic collapse that follows the Napoleonic Wars, retired Ambassador, Sir Horace Lambourn, and his family are all but bankrupt and cannot meet their ever mounting bills.
 
Suddenly, though, a last minute rescue appears in the form of the request for the hand in marriage of Sir Horace’s beautiful daughter, Camilla, from none other than His Serene Highness the Prince of Meldenstein.
 
Sir Horace is cock-a-hoop, especially when he learns of the very generous Marriage Settlement on offer, which will solve all his financial problems for the rest of his life.
 
But understandably Camilla is afraid and appalled at the prospect of marrying a man she has never met. She has lived a quiet and sheltered life in the country with her parents and has no knowledge of the wicked scheming ways of the world outside
 
Escorted by the dashing Captain Hugo Cheverly and her chaperone, an elderly Baroness from Meldenstein, Camilla sets out on a daunting journey by coach across Europe to meet her mysterious Royal suitor.
 
On the way Camilla is made apprehensive and nervous by what she and Hugo Cheverly hear about the ruling family of Meldenstein and their behaviour.
 
When finally they reach the grand and imposing Palace of Meldenstein, the Prince turns out to be a drug-addled, depraved and tyrannical monster.
 
Along the way she meets with many perils as well as the intrigues of High Society and, eventually, love where she least expected to find it.
Available since: 02/06/2019.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Prude and the Prodigal - cover

    The Prude and the Prodigal

    Barbara Cartland

    • 0
    • 8
    • 0 
    Demure Prunella Broughton has long felt responsible for her lovely younger sister Nanette – since their mother ran away with a lover and then, not long later, their beloved father had died. As an heiress and a debutante, Nanette is already attracting much male attention.
 
But it’s about Pascoe Lowestoft  that Prunella is most concerned. Spoilt, dandified, vain and “far too good-looking for any young girl’s peace of mind”, this penniless fortune hunter he has declared himself in love with Nanette!
 
To make matters worse, the new 6thEarl of Winslow arrives unexpectedly to take his place at his long-neglected Baronial Hall – a gentleman of whom Prunella deeply disapproves for his wild, raffish reputation, and the fact that he is Pascoe’s uncle.
 
Her argument that  the love between Nanette and Pascoe must be stopped gets short shrift from the Earl. Indeed, he argues that love, such as that which led her mother to leave, cannot be denied. Prudish Prunella refuses to believe that such an unruly, uncontrollable love can exist – until the prodigal Earl’s stolen kiss changes everything forever.
    Show book
  • Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd Book #1) - cover

    Behind the Scenes (Apart From...

    Jen Turano

    • 3
    • 25
    • 0 
    Start of a Delightful New Series from Historical Romance Author Jen TuranoMiss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn't guaranteed to "take." After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she's finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym "Miss Quill."Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it's simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she's determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she'll end up at risk as well.As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . . .
    Show book
  • Out of the Ordinary (Apart From the Crowd Book #2) - cover

    Out of the Ordinary (Apart From...

    Jen Turano

    • 1
    • 19
    • 0 
    Rollicking New Release from Humorous Historical Romance Author Jen Turano Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people's trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene--until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society. When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he's unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.
    Show book
  • Pregnant by the CEO - cover

    Pregnant by the CEO

    HelenKay Dimon

    • 0
    • 1
    • 0 
    A strictly-business agreement leads to some unexpected developments . . . “I devour her stories.” —New York Times–bestselling author Lori Foster 
 
How to keep control of the family business, bring his estranged siblings together, and save his sullied reputation? Step one for billionaire businessman Derrick Jameson involves pretending to be engaged to his enemy’s sister. He just has to keep his heart—and his secrets—to himself. 
 
Out of work and protective of her brother, Ellie Gold reluctantly agrees to a job as Derrick’s fake fiancée. But when their no-romance, no-touching agreement ends with her in love and expecting his baby, will what they have become the real thing? 
 
Praise for the author 
 
“She’s a delight.” —New York Times–bestselling author Christina Dodd 
 
“Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle.” —Chicago Tribune
    Show book
  • The Earl's American Heiress - cover

    The Earl's American Heiress

    Carol Arens

    • 1
    • 3
    • 0 
    In this sweet historical romance, a British noble’s reluctant American bride discovers that their match is more than perfect.  
 
England, 1889. Though she stands to inherit her grandfather’s fortune, Clementine Maccoish prefers her work as a schoolteacher to the gaiety of high society. But when her pretty cousin runs off with a charlatan, it falls to Clementine to fulfill her grandfather’s wish and marry into English nobility. Loyal to a fault, she agrees to leave California for dreary England, where she will marry a man she’s never met. 
 
On a sleepless night in London, Clementine is drawn to a nearby garden by the sound of a fountain—only to rescues a handsome stranger from drowning in it. She’s stunned to discover the man is none other than the Earl of Fencroft—the man she’s conveniently betrothed to!  
 
The Earl has a reputation for being a man of mystery, and he is less than forthcoming about what led to his strange and perilous predicament. Intrigued by his secrets, Clementine wishes to find out the truth before she walks down the aisle to wed him!
    Show book
  • Long Time Gone (The Cimarron Legacy Book #2) - cover

    Long Time Gone (The Cimarron...

    Mary Connealy

    • 0
    • 7
    • 0 
    Connealy Combines Western Action and Charming Historical RomanceThe Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn't help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.With her and the doc's timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It's clear now that everything that's occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?
    Show book