The Audacious Adventuress

The beautiful red-headed Druscilla Morley has been cruelly misused and abused by so-called 'gentlemen' all her young life. And most recently by the lecherous Lord Walden whose children she was appointed the Governess to. Not only had he forced himself upon her. Worse still he has told his wife that Druscilla was the louche philanderer and so she was summarily dismissed from their employment without any reference. Little wonder then that she now dresses in the dowdiest of clothes with her hair in a matronly bun, anything to make herself unattractive to men, all of whom she despises, loathes and fears. Now employed as Governess to another noble household, Druscilla is startled to meet her older second cousin Valdo, the Marquis of Lynche, now a famously dashing and handsome 'ladies' man' in London Society and a considerable catch for ambitious debutantes. And she is even more startled to find that he is engaged in an illicit affair with her employer. Facing likely death in a duel with his lover's furious husband, the Marquis is forced to propose a marriage of convenience to Druscilla, who sees it as an escape from her misery loneliness. They are summarily married with a Special Licence and Druscilla's life now changes completely as she becomes the new Marchioness of Lynche. Little does she know that her audacious adventure means that she risks losing her life - or that she is about to lose her heart.

'Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists.  With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally. Writing her first book 'Jigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA.  In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list. Although she is often referred to as the 'Queen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery.  Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances. In 1991 she[...]' Excerpt From: Barbara Cartland. 'Love is Heaven.' iBooks.