Yes, yes, that's common in those days and she's probably lucky he didn't demand to consummate the marriage at age 13, and blah blah blah but still. That right there is the first strike against them in my book. She, on the other hand, still hates him and wants revenge, and plans on making him fall in love with her so she can then toss him aside and let him feel some of the hurt and humiliation he dealt her when they first met. He comes back to London and sees her, not knowing she's actually his wife, and is immediately in love lust with his estranged wife. Three years pass and she's turned into a gorgeous (of course), refined young lady (who still hates her husband of course) and he's grown into a (hunky) man with a conscience and who, thankfully, seems to have reformed his nasty ways (and again, thankfully, doesn't seem to have spent his entire Grand Tour whoring it up - I despise that sort of thing btw). They absolutely despise each other on sight and are quite nasty to each other in the very short time they know each other. 13 year old (rather plain) girl and 18 year old (rather asshatty) boy are forced to marry in an arranged marriage that is to be 'a marriage in name only', then she's to go to finishing school and he's to go on a Grand Tour of the Continent. 'Beauty and the Brute' by Virginia Henley *** And under Darius's skilled tutelage, Pru learns just how delightful a little scandal can be. But when Sophy begs Prudence's help in saving her marriage, Pru encounters handsome, worldly Darius Shaw. Sensible bluestocking Prudence Thorn has been too busy keeping her cousin Sophy out of trouble to experience any adventures of her own. 'Not Quite a Courtesan' by Maggie Robinson But when she dares him to seduce her properly, she discovers that Nicholas is more than ready to meet her challenge, over and over again. She longs for the kind of fevered passion found in her beloved romance novels.

Louisa March's new husband, Nicholas, is a perfect gentleman in bed-much to her disappointment. Now Charles has returned, unaware that the innocent ingénue he wed is determined to turn their marriage of convenience into a blissfully passionate affair. It's been three years since Lady Sarah Caversham set eyes on arrogant Charles Lennox-the husband her father chose for her to settle a gambling debt. 'Beauty and the Brute' by Virginia Henley This dazzling new historical collection delivers a trio of heroes who are bold, dashing, and unforgettable in every way.

Lords of Passion by Virginia Henley