The Unwanted Wedding — Barbara Cartland

The Duke of Tynemouth, who is having a wild affair with the Countess of Langstone, learns that Queen Victoria is planning that he should marry. In a desperate effort to escape and to save his reputation, the Duke agrees to marry the Countess's niece who has just arrived in England after being at school in Florence. Forced to married, he finds himself falling in love with her wife against his will.

It was impossible for Honora to take her eyes from the Duke's, and as he saw the color creeping up her cheeks almost like the dawn creeping up the sky, he thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Then as her fingers tightened on his and he knew she was finding it hard to breathe he said: "I love you, darling, but I have been afraid of telling you so in case I frightened you."

"I... I am not frightened," Honora said. "I love you! I did not... know that love could be... like this."

"What is it like?" the Duke asked, his lips very close to hers.

"It is part of the sunshine... music... the loveliness of the flowers and trees... and of cours ... the sky...."

Then his lips touched hers and he knew that her softness, sweetness and innocence was something he had never imagined he would find....