An Unquestionable Lady

GENTLEMAN OFFERS SECURITY AND SOCIAL POSITION IN RETURN FOR MARRIAGE WITH AN UNQUESTIONABLE LADY. Too proud to apply to relatives or friends for help, Miss Claudia Talton was desperate enough to answer the advertisement. But why would an affluent and well-positioned gentleman need to go to such lengths to find a wife? Then she learned his name... Giles Verylan. Now she knew why he needed to advertise; no lady would dream of allying herself with such a rake. But the touch of his hand, the knowing smile, and the challenging gleam in his appraising eyes made her wonder if perhaps she was not a lady after all-at least in certain circumstances... A SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT Verylan looked over his prospective bride with clinical dispassion. Yes, she would do. Obviously a lady, and attractive-damned attractive-into the bargain... as well as sensible enough to appreciate the advantages of what he was offering. A marriage of convenience--his convenience--no more and no less. After providing him with an heir she would be free to live a life of luxury unencumbered by his attentions, which he would satisfy elsewhere. Miss Tallon was hardly in a position to expect a love match, and neither was he. The two of them were thus eminently suited to one another... if only Verylan knew how well!