A Marriage is Announced

A reluctant peer

Grey is still settling into his new role as the tenth Viscount Hollister when he finds that his late brother, the previous holder of the title, owed an immense amount of money to gaming hell proprietor Thaddeus Barstow. One way or another, Barstow is determined to be repaid – and since Grey doesnt have the money, he demands that Grey marry Barstows daughter Rilla instead.

But just because theres a wedding doesnt mean Grey is willing to be a husband.

An undutiful daughter

All her life, Rilla Barstow has been no more than an afterthought where her father is concerned. But shes grown up now, and in Thaddeus Barstows eyes, that makes her an asset – because shes his pathway into the aristocracy.

But just because theres a wedding doesnt mean Rilla is willing to be a wife.

A master player

In Thaddeus Barstows world, indebted peers and convenient daughters are pawns to be moved around as he likes, and he has a fancy to make his future grandchildren part of the upper class.

But this time, the pawns hes chosen are determined to play by a different set of rules…

Until Rilla and Grey discover that the chessboard of life doesnt have to be a war game.