The Wager and the Wedding

<p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)><em>She was promised to an earl... but bound to a baron.</em></strong></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Isabella de Martillac always knew she'd marry well but when her mother arranges a match not with the dashing earl she hoped for but with the lesser-titled and wholly unsuitable Baron of Winchelsea Isabella is furious. Determined to escape the union she plots to scare off her intended by acting the part of a spoiled sharp-tongued shrew.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>But Martin de Vere is no fool.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>What he lacks in height and beauty he more than makes up for in wit and resolve. Rather than break the engagement Martin offers her a bargain: he won't consummate the marriage unless he can earn her affection. And if by the time they reach his estate in Winchelsea she remains unmoved she may seek an annulment no questions asked.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>At sea Martin sets out to win her over with cleverness patience and charm. Yet fate intervenes when a storm forces them to dock right in the territory of the ambitious earl Isabella once set her sights on. Now Martin must battle not only for Isabella's heart but for their very safety as his rival will stop at nothing to claim her.</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)><em>In this battle of hearts and honor love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.</em></strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)><u>Tropes/Themes:</u></strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Arranged Marriage</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Enemies to Lovers</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Slow Burn Romance</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Hero Falls First</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Love Triangle (with a villainous rival)</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Witty Banter</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Sword Fights and Chivalry</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>✅ Marriage of Convenience-with a twist</span></p><p></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)><u>The De Veres Series</u></strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Book 1 - The Skull and the Lute</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Book 2 - The Sword and the Damsel</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Book 3 - The Broken and the Bold</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Book 4 - The Monk and the Maiden</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Book 5 - The Wager and the Wedding</span></p>