An Unexpected Title (Suspicious Circumstance #1)

Murder, mystery, and marriage!

A marriage proposal. Not such a terrible thing, but a broken heart and injured pride are not easy to overcome, as Asher Derwent had already discovered. Women were far too contrary and likely to change their mind. Being jilted once in a lifetime was quite enough for any man.

But with this particular proposal came an estate, a fortune. And an unexpected title. Did he dare refuse? The marriage was merely a contract to keep a woman safe. Falling in love wasn’t part of the bargain. He had no intention of doing anything so foolish again. Especially not as she was clearly the worst kind of woman. A young incomparable with a challenge in her eyes and an unwavering lilt to her delicate chin.

Madeleine’s outrage knew no bounds. How dare her father coldly inform her of whom she would marry only the night before the dratted man arrived? She had plans, plans that did not include an overbearing, oaf telling her what to do every minute of the day or, even more humiliating, during the intimate hours of the night. If her father hadn’t been so ill, she might have been tempted to strangle him with her own bare hands!

But it seemed that she wouldn’t need to, for by the time the dreaded day arrives, the earl is dead and the house is in mourning. A murderer has come during the night robbing Madeleine of both her father and her prized independence, and Asher of any choice.

Can Asher and Madeleine cease their hostilities long enough to discover the murderer’s identity, or will their future be consumed by the secrets hiding within Claiborne?

An Unexpected Title – An historical murder mystery suitable for anyone 16+