An earl has no choice but to marry...

When his father died, sixteen-year-old Sebastian inherited a crumbling earldom. He dedicated himself to becoming a respectable lord, and now, a decade later, he will do anything to prevent his scandalous sister from undermining his status—even marry a sensible spinster. Emmeline ought to be the ideal wife, but she is less biddable and more beddable than he expects. To his dismay, feelings beyond friendship begin to emerge. Although intimacy breeds affection, can it inspire love?

...a lady with an impeccable reputation.

Born a vicar's daughter, Emmeline has dedicated herself to her younger siblings and, as a result, has been too busy to consider her own future. At twenty-four, marriage seems unlikely—until she meets a practical lord who offers her the very thing she's always dreamed of: a family of her own. Sebastian ought to be the perfect husband, but he can be overbearing and emotionally distant. To her relief, she begins to catch glimpses of a kind, caring man behind his cold exterior. Can she convince him that they deserve more than a marriage of convenience?