Nobody's Fool (Marriage by Design Book 2) Read online

  “This isn’t a dream. It’s really happening,” Benjamin replied. “I don’t know why you can’t believe it. You told me how much you loved riding and wanted a horse while we were foxhunting.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t realize it was me saying that at the time.”

  “While that’s true, you showed me your true identity later that day.”

  Her face warmed at how she showed him her identity. Thank goodness he was discreet. No one who passed by would think anything of his words if they overheard their conversation.

  “I’m very fortunate to have you as my wife,” Benjamin continued. “I thought my heart might burst when you said you loved me.”

  “I only thought I loved you then. Now that you gave me this horse, I know I do,” she teased. “You should have come to our wedding day with a horse and said it was all mine.”

  He laughed. “That would have been a sight if I had led a stallion into the drawing room.”

  She laughed along with him. “Yes, it would have been. I wonder how many people would have run out of the townhouse. I have an aunt and a couple of cousins who are scared of them. They say they will fall off a horse, but they never rode one, so how can they know for sure? It’s just as well you didn’t show up with a horse, though I would have enjoyed it immensely. The thing that matters is that you let me have this marvelous animal.” She patted the horse affectionately. “I doubt there’s a lady in London who’s as happy as I am.”

  “Good. I want you to be happy.”

  “I want you to be happy, too.”

  “Oh, I’ve been that way from the moment I realized you’d taken a fancy to me. I’ll be honest. I didn’t think any lady would. I had just hoped that one might be content to have me because I’m a titled gentleman who has money. I used to think a title and money were the only things I could offer.”

  “You have much more to offer than a title and money. You are worth loving for who you are.”

  It was a shame she hadn’t realized that sooner. It was also a shame it had taken Lilly’s slip of the tongue to get him to approach her father about arranging a marriage. But she had come to her senses since then, and she knew exactly how deserving he was of her love and respect. And really, that was all that mattered.

  “I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you,” she told him.

  “I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, too,” he replied.

  She smiled at him then turned her attention to the path in front of them as they continued with their outing down Rotten Row, thinking of how perfect her life was.

  Want to read Kitty and Aaron’s romance?

  It’s coming next in this series!

  A Deceptive Wager

  Miss Kitty Farrow is under no illusion that her guardian cares anything about her, but when she finds out he wagered her in a gentleman’s bet. Not only has her choice in picking her own husband been taken away from her, but the earl her guardian is going to have her marry hates the very idea of having a wife at all.

  Aaron Henry, Earl of Northton, doesn’t trust ladies. Any of them. From a young age, his mother taught him that all a lady is good for is an heir. If they’re sweet, it’s only to trick the gentleman into doing what they want, and once they get it, they’re on to the next gentleman. So when he discovers the money he expected to win in a wager turns out to be the dowry of his future bride, he wants nothing to do with his future bride.

  But whether Kitty or Aaron want the marriage or not, it’s going to happen. And heaven help anyone who tries try to make the marriage a love match.

  You can join my email list to be notified as soon as it comes out by going to this link: https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/sign-up-for-email-list/

  ***

  If you haven’t read Lilly’s romance yet, here it is…

  Breaking the Rules

  They say a proper lady follows the rules. She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal.

  Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr. Morris’ attention, and now he’s looking for someone else to marry. Determined to get him back, she hatches a plan to make him fall in love with her again. And doing so will require her to start breaking some rules.

  Hurt by Miss Lowell’s rejection, Mr. Roger Morris is seeking out another lady to court. But after endless social engagements, it starts to become clear to him that no one can take her place. Whether he likes it or not, he is doomed to love her. She is the perfect lady for him. But the last thing he wants to do is give in, especially when she creates a scandal that forces him to marry her.

  This might just be a match made in hell. Or maybe, quite possibly, heaven…as long as Lilly can figure out a way to make things right.

  ***

  I mentioned Captain Egan a couple of times in this book. I wrote his book a couple of years ago. If you’d like to read it, here’s the information on it…

  Taming the Viscountess

  Sebastian Egan, Viscount Erandon, needs a significant amount of money in order to pay off his brother's debts. The sooner he gets it, the better. But he's not exactly what ladies are looking for. Having lost half of his right leg while at sea, most ladies consider him to be a useless cripple, and in London where things are all about appearances, they don't want to be seen with him. Traditional means of finding a wife are not open to him. He will need to find a creative way of marrying a lady who comes from a wealthy family.

  As it just so happens, such a way opens up to him. Miss Celia Barlow, nicknamed Miss "Shrew" Barlow, has upset her brother for the last time. Her brother has had enough of her manipulative ways, and he's offering a large dowry to the first gentleman who is willing to take her. Sebastian, seeing his chance, takes the bait, and the wedding is set.

  At once, he's drawn to Celia's fiery spirit. Yes, the others in London consider her to be a shrew, but that's because they're afraid of a lady who knows what she wants and goes for it. His new wife is no timid wallflower. She is full of passion, and, to his pleasure, that passion extends to the bed.

  But soon, just having her body isn't enough. He wants to claim something much more precious. He wants her heart. He used to think that being the captain of a ship was the most challenging thing he could do. Now, he's about to discover that being the husband of a lady with a fiery, independent spirit is far more challenging...and far more rewarding.

  ***

  In Nobody’s Fool, I also reference Lord Pennella. Benjamin had commented that Lord Pennella was looking for an argument. Lord Pennella got his wish in a book that’s already available. Here’s the information about it:

  The Earl’s Secret Bargain

  Lord Davenport and Lord Pennella have just made a bet for the hand of Miss Regina Giles. The gentleman she chooses wins the loser’s estate.

  It’s the most daring wager at White’s, and quite possibly the most foolish.

  Toby York, the Earl of Davenport, knew it was a mistake to make the wager when Lord Pennella stormed into White’s bragging that he could get any lady he wished. Toby really should have kept his mouth shut. But he didn’t.

  And now there are only three things he can do to protect Miss Giles. One, he must get her to choose him instead of Pennella. Two, he must make sure she never finds out about the wager. And three, he must quietly break off the engagement so that she is free to marry a gentleman worthy of her. As long as he doesn’t fall in love with her, there should be no problems.

  Too bad things never work out the way they’re planned.

  All Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

  (Chronological Order)

  Regencies

  Marriage by Scandal Series

  The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife

  A Most
Unsuitable Earl

  His Reluctant Lady

  The Earl’s Scandalous Wife

  Marriage by Design Series

  Breaking the Rules

  Nobody’s Fool

  A Deceptive Wager – coming soon

  Standalone Regency

  Her Counterfeit Husband (happens during A Most Unsuitable Earl)

  Marriage by Deceit Series

  The Earl’s Secret Bargain

  Love Lessons With the Duke

  Ruined by the Earl

  The Earl’s Stolen Bride

  Marriage by Arrangement Series

  His Wicked Lady

  Her Devilish Marquess

  The Earl’s Wallflower Bride

  Marriage by Bargain Series

  The Viscount’s Runaway Bride

  The Rake’s Vow

  Taming The Viscountess

  If It Takes A Scandal

  Marriage by Fate Series

  The Reclusive Earl

  Married In Haste

  Make Believe Bride

  The Perfect Duke

  Kidnapping the Viscount

  Marriage by Fairytale Series

  The Marriage Contract

  One Enchanted Evening

  The Wedding Pact

  Fairest of Them All

  The Duke’s Secluded Bride

  Historical Western Romances

  Pioneer Series

  Wagon Trail Bride

  The Marriage Agreement

  Ingrid (a short story)

  Groom For Hire

  Forced Into Marriage

  Nebraska Series

  Her Heart’s Desire

  A Bride for Tom

  A Husband for Margaret

  Eye of the Beholder

  The Wrong Husband

  Shotgun Groom

  To Have and To Hold

  Forever Yours

  His Redeeming Bride

  Isaac’s Decision

  Misled Mail Order Brides Series

  The Bride Price

  The Rejected Groom

  The Perfect Wife

  The Imperfect Husband

  Husbands for the Larson Sisters

  Nelly’s Mail Order Husband

  Perfectly Matched – coming soon

  Suitable for Marriage – coming soon

  Wyoming Series

  The Outlaw’s Bride

  The Rancher’s Bride

  The Fugitive’s Bride

  Chance at Love Series

  The Convenient Mail Order Bride

  The Mistaken Mail Order Bride

  The Accidental Mail Order Bride

  The Bargain Mail Order Bride

  South Dakota Series

  Loving Eliza

  Bid for a Bride

  Bride of Second Chances

  Montana Collection

  Mitch’s Win

  Boaz’s Wager

  Patty’s Gamble

  Shane’s Deal

  Native American Romance Series

  Restoring Hope

  A Chance In Time

  Brave Beginnings

  Bound by Honor, Bound by Love

  Virginia Series

  An Unlikely Place for Love

  The Cold Wife

  An Inconvenient Marriage

  Romancing Adrienne

  Nebraska Prairie Series

  The Purchased Bride

  The Bride’s Choice

  Interview for a Wife – coming soon

  Standalone Historical Western Romances

  Falling In Love With Her Husband

  Kent Ashton’s Backstory

  Catching Kent

  His Convenient Wife

  Meant To Be

  The Mail Order Bride’s Deception

  Contemporary Romances

  Omaha Series

  With This Ring, I Thee Dread

  What Nathan Wants

  Just Good Friends

  Across the Stars Series

  Suddenly a Bride

  Runaway Bride

  His Abducted Bride

  Standalone Contemporaries

  Substitute Bride

  Online Proposal

  The Cowboy’s Wish (a short story)

  Thrillers

  Return of the Aliens (Christian End-Times Novel)

  Late One Night (flash fiction)

  The Very True Legends of Ol’ Man Wickleberry and his Demise - Ink Slingers’ Anthology

  Fantasies

  Enchanted Galaxy Series

  A Royal Engagement

  Royal Hearts

  The Royal Pursuit

  Royal Heiress

  Nonfiction

  Writing Tips Series

  11 Tips for New Writers

  The Emotionally Engaging Character

  Writing for Passion

  Where To Find Ruth

  There are several ways you can find me! I’ll list them below, and you can pick the one that most interests you.

  My Monthly Blog (https://ruthannnordinnewsletter.com/) Once a month, I’ll give updates on books I’m working on, and I will include new release information.

  My Author Blog (https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/) For anyone who would like to read my ramblings about books I’m working on, updates I’m making to books (such as new covers for boxsets), trivia about past books, and what my thoughts are in the writing and publishing world, this is the blog for you.

  Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authorruthnordin) I focus on my books or anything related to the author community. Facebook has been after authors for promoting themselves all the time, but that is how I’m using this site since I don’t want to get tangled up in the political drama over there. From time to time, I might throw in a cute and funny picture.

  Email List (https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/sign-up-for-email-list/) If you want to receive an email only when I have a new book out, this is a good option. I never spam. MailChimp holds your emails, not me. I value people’s privacy and time.