Captain Amberton's Inherited Bride
‘Marry me……And you’ll have your freedom.’Her father’s will dictates that Violet Harper must wed or be disinherited—but she’d rather face the wilderness of the wintry Yorkshire moors than be bound to cynical, damaged soldier Lance Amberton. Lance promises a marriage of convenience that will grant Violet her independence. In exchange she must put her faith in Lance, and see beyond his gruff exterior to the man beneath…
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“Marry me…
and you’ll have your freedom.”
Her father’s will dictates Violet Harper must wed or be disinherited—yet she’d rather face the wilderness of the wintry Yorkshire moors than be bound to cynical, damaged soldier Captain Lance Amberton. Lance promises a marriage of convenience that will grant Violet her independence. In exchange, she must put her faith in Lance and see beyond his gruff exterior to the man beneath...
“Fletcher has crafted a romance to engage medievalists.”
—RT Book Reviews on Besieged and Betrothed
“Medieval fans will love the pageantry, the original setting and the surprises at every turn.”
—RT Book Reviews on Married to Her Enemy
JENNI FLETCHER was born in the north of Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire, with her husband and two children. She wanted to be a writer as a child, but got distracted by reading instead, finally getting past her first paragraph thirty years later. She’s had more jobs than she can remember, but has finally found one she loves. She can be contacted on Twitter @JenniAuthor or via her Facebook Author page.
Also by Jenni Fletcher
Married to Her EnemyThe Convenient Felstone MarriageBesieged and Betrothed
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.
ISBN: 978-1-474-07359-2
CAPTAIN AMBERTON’S INHERITED BRIDE
© 2018 Jenni Fletcher
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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For Rachel and Phil. Congratulations!
Also for Therese, my writing bestie.
Contents
Amberton Castle, North Yorkshire—1862
‘There’s no way out, Lance. I’m trapped.’
Captain Lancelot ‘Lance’ Amberton turned his attention away from a particularly attractive redhead on the dance floor and fixed his twin brother with a speculative stare. From the tone of his voice it was obvious he wasn’t talking about the ballroom. He’d listened to Arthur’s railing against their father’s domineering behaviour a hundred times before, but the new note of despondency was unsettling enough that he almost missed the footman passing by with a fresh tray of drinks. Almost.
‘It’s your own fault.’ He darted a hand out, swiping the tumbler of brandy he knew was destined for their father. ‘You shouldn’t be so damned responsible all of the time. Do something shocking. Try saying no to him once in a while.’
‘Easier said than done.’ Arthur’s eyes, the same rich amber shade as his own, looked woebegone. ‘It’s not as if we can both run away and join the army.’
‘I had to run away.’ Lance tossed back a lock of dark chestnut hair. ‘He would have thrown me out if I hadn’t.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘It is and you know it. Father and I have done nothing but argue ever since Mother died. We get on far better at opposite ends of the country.’
‘I just wish you’d told me what you were planning.’
‘So you could have done the right thing and told him?’
Arthur dropped his eyes guiltily. ‘He would have bought you a commission if you’d asked.’
‘That’s not the point. I didn’t want to owe him anything. I had the money Mother left us and I wanted to choose my own regiment. Father would have kept me in the local militia just to keep an eye on me.’
