The Reluctant Widow

Elinor Rochdale thought she was entering Highnoons as a governess, but the handsomely fashionable gentleman who carefully interviewed her obviously needed no governess. He was seeking a wife-not for himself, but for the profligate cousin who now lay on his deathbed.

Surprised and repulsed as she was by this strange proposal, Elinor was nevertheless unable to resist Lord Ned Carlyon and his mystifying plans. And so in the short span of a few hours she became a bride - and a wealthy widow.

Even as she assumed the duties of mistress of Highnoons, even as she tried to solve the puzzle that placed her in this unusual situation, Elinor found herself inextricably- drawn to the aloof, caustic man who treated her with nothing more than cousinly respect - the last thing that spirited Elinor wanted ...