The Marquess

A soldier who despises women and a woman who despises soldiers must depend on each other to survive. Scarred in a duel over a feckless female, Gavin Lawrence leaves America to take up his new duty as Marquess of Effingham, vowing never to care about others again. But he does care about protecting his crumbling new home—the secret passages apparently conceal an intruder he’s determined to root out. Dillian Whitnell guards her injured cousin in isolated Arinmede manor after an attempt on both their lives. Having followed her father’s troops for years, Dillian is adept at camouflage. She just hadn’t expected the stubborn new marquess to refuse to believe in ghosts. Her game of hide-and-seek game taunts his irritation into intrigue, and intrigue into a forbidden passion, until Gavin realizes the exceedingly annoying but courageous young woman he chases is in terrible danger. Once more, the marquess is faced with the prospect of a fight for his life over a woman—unless Dillian leaves him and all she loves behind. REVIEWS “...a rousing good tale that is alternately merry, mischievous” Ann McGuire, Romance Reader “This fast-paced, witty novel will definitely delight on a cold winter’s night.” Margaret Devilbiss, Gothic Journal “Ms. Rice brings two marvelous characters together. With her mastery of subtle humor, The Marquess will please the taste of the most discriminating readers.” Joan Hammond, Romantic Times