Virginia Heath

"Filled with fabulously British banter, wit, and heart, this delightful book is one of my must-read rom coms of the year." - Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Portrait of a Scotsman “Virginia Heath’s fun characters and situations will have you laughing out loud! Don’t miss this wonderful read!” - Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times bestselling author The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything. The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one, even from across the other side of the ocean. So Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs. Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up. Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh's estate, of course nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other when their relationship started with a lie? The first book in the Merriwell Sisters series, Never Fall for Your Fiancée is a hilarious, sparkling historical romantic comedy from Virginia Heath.

Never Fall for Your Fiancee

Sarah 

“Miss Merriwell— I am so glad you are here. Allow me to introduce my good friend Giles Sinclair, Lord Bellingham.”

“Heir to the Duke of Harpenden?” One of her sisters frowned as she said this. “I’ve read all about you in the papers. There was a story about you only last Friday, in fact.”

Obviously, that delighted Giles. “Really? Did they paint me the scoundrel?”

“How wonderful. I am a great believer in both the press and gossip and do like to do my bit to keep the masses entertained.”

HAHAH this man is slowly becoming my favourite 

“Egg sandwiches,” drawled Giles, eyeing one with relish before winking at Diana. “How very fitting. Do you suppose the kitchen kept the eggshells? Because if they did, perhaps you can call Payne back and have him scatter them liberally over the carpet so we can all walk on them?”

“Might I speak plainly, Lord Fareham?” Minerva had steeled her shoulders.

“Hallelujah!” Giles again. “I wish you would. Somebody needs to.”

“Could somebody pass me the biscuits? If Minerva is about to launch into the gripping story of the day they met, I shall need sustenance to survive it.”

“I love this story, too.” Like Lord Bellingham, Diana was enjoying herself far too much. She smiled at her partner in crime and helped herself to one of the biscuits on the plate he now cradled.”

this is the beginnings of love Hugh. buckle in 

“Then I suppose that is why you . . . How did your mother put it?” She paused and then giggled. He wanted to catch the infectious sound in his fist and keep it forever”

“He had one foot out the door when he turned and did something very stupid. Possibly the most stupid thing he had ever done in his thirty-two years on earth. He listened to the screaming voice in his head, gave in to temptation, and kissed her.”

“As the door opened, he turned, stared deep into her eyes as if searching for something, then sighed. “For what it’s worth, I have adored having you as my fiancée.“

“Seeing as it is almost December, what about a Christmas carol? Surely you know a Christmas carol?”

“Not many.” Minerva was walking to the pianoforte like a condemned prisoner on the way to the gallows.

“How about ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’? Everybody knows that one.” She played a few bars encouragingly. “What key?”

“Off,” said Diana, earning her a jab in the ribs from the youngest sister before they both sniggered again.

“She thinks we are . . . lovers.” As if. “And that I might be already with child . . . She’s excited.”

Hugh didn’t reply, because oddly he was mourning the loss of that imaginary child now as well as Minerva”

“Either way, by this time next Saturday, I shall be gone, Hugh. It is long past time we said goodbye. . . . In truth, I bitterly regret we ever said hello.”

“I am to tell you that you are a brute. A beast . . .” He ticked the insults off on his fingers. “A big fat liar. A child who needs to grow up. A vile, sweet-talking seducer.” The butler scowled at that. “If you will excuse the interruption in the message, my lord— shame on you!” He skewered Hugh with a glare, his lip curled in distaste. “Have you no morals?”

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