The Reluctant Bride — Cindy Holbrook

I.O.U.S. OR I LOVE YOU

Alexander Rothmier, marquis of Wyndam, is a magnificent catch: handsome, mannerly, and very rich. Now, at thirty, he is ready to settle down and honor the arrangement made years earlier to marry Josephine, the daughter of the earl of Stanton. His mama is thrilled; her papa is over the moon. And Josephine is...reluctant. In fact, she advises the marvelous Marquis to bolt! Why? Her spendthrift family is far down the river Tick; that is to say, they are broke. If Alexander marries into her family, they will drain his coffers dry. Unless Josephine can recoup the family fortune, she can not accept the Marquis's proposal.

Of course, nothing increases a suitor's ardor more than a lady who says no. Alexander is intrigued with the saucy Josephine. She is falling madly in love with him. But money is an object, and Josephine has a most outrageous scheme in mind -- a shocking plan that could lead to her ruin...or save the love of two desperate hearts.