A highborn British lady finds unexpected love in a marriage of necessity with her Scottish gardener in the fast-paced Regency that kicks off the Blakely Manor series from Edgewood (Masks of Desire). Lady Briar Blakeley, younger sister of the Duke of Dareford, rejects a drunken marriage proposal from her neighbor, Percy Quintrell, disturbed by his refusal to accept responsibility for getting one of his tenants pregnant. After Percy, anticipating a reward, tells Scottish mercenaries where to find Wren Spencer, the duke’s gardener, the men kidnap Percy, Wren, and Briar, too, whom they believe is Wren’s wife. It’s unsafe for Briar to be on the road without a chaperone, so she accepts Wren’s hasty marriage proposal for her protection as their kidnappers transport them to Scotland. Upon arrival, Briar learns their abductors’ shocking true intentions: they were hired to return Wren to his family’s castle where he must assume the title of laird. Though the danger is over, Briar and Wren’s marriage of convenience is put to the test. Edgewood allows both romance and suspense to simmer throughout, adding levity with witty banter between well-matched characters. This sensual romance will have readers rapt. (Self-published)