After being kidnapped, Lady Lily Rutherford escapes her abductors in the middle of a storm on the way to Scotland and is rescued by Edward Galbraith, her brother's friend and a noted rake. Now she finds herself in deeper trouble still—the scandal and ruin kind—and marriage is the only option. Attraction simmers between them from their first kiss, but Lily and Ned are each guarding painful secrets that must be dealt with before their "convenient marriage" can become the real thing. VERDICT Sly wit and heart-melting passion are front and center in a lively, insightful Regency romance from an author who knows the period inside and out and displays it gloriously. Gracie (Marry in Haste) lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Gracie's vivid second Marriage of Convenience Regency (after Marry in Haste) lands a veteran and an heiress in a hurried union. After heiress Lady Lily Rutherford is abducted by a man who plans to force her into marriage, she escapes with the help of Ned Galbraith, a friend of her brother Cal. Ned, a reputed rake who's been emotionally scarred by his military experiences, enjoys spending time with Lily as they travel back to London and share a memorable kiss. Though they believe they have avoided the scandal of being seen traveling together unchaperoned, London's gossipmongers spread rumors that Lily has been seduced by Ned, and he proposes marriage to save her reputation. Lily is determined to make their marriage a good one, believing that Ned's promise to take care of her may grow into love, but misunderstandings and secrets threaten their burgeoning happiness. The novel is enhanced by swift plotting and an authentic relationship between flawed characters who are real and believable. Fans of marriage-of-convenience stories will have no regrets about picking up this one. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary. (Apr.)