Anne's Perfect Husband
Major Ian Sinclair knew firsthand that war made men do strange things. But to be named guardian of the daughter of the man responsible for ending his career–and very nearly his life?–was beyond the Pale. Yet now Anne Darlington was his responsibility, and he found himself longing for a future he'd thought he no longer believed in…Cloistered in a remote boarding school, Anne Darlington had grown up never knowing any other life. Until fate thrust her into the strong arms of Ian Sinclair, a tortured nobleman whose secret connection to her father threatened her unspoken dream that Ian would someday return her love…and become her perfect husband.
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“You don’t need me to fight your battles,” he said
“Well, it would be nice to have someone fight them.” Anne was accustomed to having to stand on her own two feet. However, what she had just said was something she had recognized since Ian had come to Fenton School to collect her. It was nice to have someone on her side. And at her side.
“And that is the purpose of everything we’re in London to accomplish,” Ian said softly.
The marriage mart. Someone to fight my battles for me.
Anne had never thought of what they were undertaking in that light. Despite all her romantic fantasies, she had never really believed she would find a husband at any of the Season’s entertainments.
She had already found her champion and, ridiculously romantic or not, she knew she would never want any other…!
Praise for RITA Award winner Gayle Wilson
My Lady’s Dare
“…three-dimensional characters and intriguing
plot twists kept this reader glued to the pages.” —Romantic Times Magazine
Lady Sarah’s Son
“…a moving tale of love overcoming great obstacles,
of promises kept and trust restored.” —Romantic Times Magazine
Honor’s Bride
“A superbly crafted story…”
—Romantic Times Magazine
The Heart’s Wager
“This is the well-written, well-plotted, gripping book
that we’re always hoping for and don’t always find.
I give it my highest accolades.”
—Rendezvous
Anne’s Perfect Husband
Harlequin Historical #552
#551 THE HIGHLAND WIFE
Lyn Stone
#553 LONGSHADOW’S WOMAN
Bronwyn Williams
#554 LILY GETS HER MAN
Charlene Sands
Available from Harlequin Historicals and GAYLE WILSON
†The Heart’s Desire #211
†The Heart’s Wager #263
†The Gambler’s Heart #299
Raven’s Vow #349
His Secret Duchess #393
Honor’s Bride #432
Lady Sarah’s Son #483
My Lady’s Dare #516
*Anne’s Perfect Husband #552
Other works include:
Harlequin Intrigue
Echoes in the Dark #344
Only a Whisper #376
The Redemption of Deke Summers #414
Heart of the Night #442
**Ransom My Heart #461
**Whisper My Love #466
**Remember My Touch #469
Never Let Her Go #490
‡The Bride’s Protector #509
‡The Stranger She Knew #513
‡Her Baby, His Secret #517
Each Precious Hour #541
††Her Private Bodyguard #561
††Renegade Heart #578
††Midnight Remembered #591
*The Sinclair Brides
**Home to Texas series
†Hearts Trilogy series
‡Men of Mystery series
††More Men of Mystery series
For Alynn, whose beautiful name might be suitable
for a medieval heroine, but not, alas, for a Regency one. Although its heroine is named Anne, this story is still for you, along with my love and admiration. Hope you enjoy!
Contents
Prologue
Sinclair Hall
England, December 1813
“Oh, there’s no mistake, Mr. Sinclair. We’ve examined the terms of the colonel’s will quite carefully, I can assure you. It’s very clear he intended to leave his daughter in your very capable hands.”
The well-shaped lips of Ian Sinclair, former major with His Majesty’s forces in Portugal, tightened to prevent another expression of disbelief. It was possible, he supposed, that George Darlington had named him as his daughter’s guardian. That was almost as easy to believe as the fact that Darlington had fathered a daughter.
“And the child?” Ian asked.
After all, she should be his first concern. The little girl had lost her father, the only parent she had ever known. Of course, knowing Darlington’s history, Ian wondered exactly how often the child could have even seen him, much less how well she had known him.
“She is in a very fine school in the north. The location is a bit remote, but I believe the family has ties to the region.”
“And relations there perhaps?” Ian asked, feeling the first dawn of hope since he had begun this interview with George Darlington’s solicitor, who had come from London to apprise Ian of the terms of his late client’s will.
“Not to my knowledge. Of course, you may know more of the family’s connections than we are privy to.”
“Actually, I knew very little about Colonel Darlington,” Ian said. “Other than his military endeavors, of course.”
“Comrades in arms,” the solicitor said heartily.
Ian thought how far from the reality of his and Darlington’s relationship that phrase fell, but he said nothing. Whatever the colonel’s failings as an officer, and in Ian’s opinion they were many, he would not speak ill of the dead.
Not even ill of a man who had, without warning, saddled him with a child Ian had never even met. A child whose very existence he had been unaware of until this afternoon.
“Well,” the solicitor said, his tone verging on euphoric, “I have taken up quite enough of your time. And I believe that all of the particulars have now been taken care of to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Ian wondered if the man were really that obtuse, or if he were simply relieved that he hadn’t been shown the door when he’d revealed the reason for his visit. In truth, he was probably glad to have this poor child off his hands and someone else’s responsibility.
