Emma Worthington runs away from home when she discovers that because of her father's gambling debts, she's expected to marry a rather horrid but rich gentleman of means. Not one to sit idly while her life is being decided for her, Emma decides to go to Bath, to seek out a widower, Matthew Cavendish, who had proposed to her a while back. She hadn't been certain if she wanted to marry Matthew, but circumstances force her to seriously consider his suit. However, once in Bath, she meets Richard Du Quesne again. Three years ago, their paths had crossed when Emma's friend, Victoria, was being courted by Richard's friend, Viscount Courtenay. Emma had always treated Richard with disdain, believing all the gossip about his rakish and disreputable ways, and had always rebuffed Richard's overtures of friendship with scorn. Now, she's appalled to find their paths crossing again, and at such a time. Frightened that Richard will seek out her parents and inform them of her whereabouts, she allows Richard to believe that she's been sent to Bath because she had disgraced herself by having an affair out of wedlock, and is now with child. One lie leads to another, and soon Emma finds herself adrift in a sea of lies with no where to go and no one to turn to for help, unless she lets her guard down and accepts Richard's help. But can she afford to do so?
Regency Romance -- Mis Emma Worthington knew that at 27 she was on the shelf . . .
