Patience Carruthers is a bluestocking with no interest in the fleeting uncertainty of love. Her passion is for books, knowledge, and the improvement of the world. When she learns of Mrs. Oliver’s work, instructing ladies in intimate matters to better their marriages, she is resolved to see that volume published for the public good—and will even accept an agreement to wed a notorious rake to accomplish her goal.
Thanks to his uncle’s reckless wager, Arthur Beckham has immediate need of a wife. Insisting he has an understanding with Miss Carruthers, a lady of good sense and practicality, may provide an escape from his predicament—assuming the lady in question can be persuaded to agree. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Miss Carruthers, vowing he will do whatever she desires in exchange for one son—even ensure the publication of such an uncommon volume.
Arthur is intrigued by this lady and her ability to surprise him. Her commitment to honesty tempts him to abandon the disguise that has defined his life for decades—though Arthur fears that admitting his deception might turn Patience against him forever. Can the book help him to capture the heart of his pragmatic bride before his secret is revealed?
Genre: FICTION / Romance / RegencyThis is the fifth book in the series. Please don't offer for it until all of the previous books have been translated.
Miss Patience Carruthers liked to collect facts as much as she liked to collect books. She found pleasure in knowing things, the more things the better. In fact, it was her considered opinion that the vast majority of people did not know nearly enough—or read enough—to be relied upon to function well.
The rakehell Arthur Beckham was a good example. Despite his charm, his remarkable good looks, and his determination to win her approval, he was incapable of shaking her convictions. After all, the man’s reading habits were woefully inadequate. If he would just pause for breath, Patience would tell him so.
“Clearly, the book,” Arthur said with an engaging smile “is wrong.” He pushed a volume across the counter that he was returning along with the other volumes his mother had borrowed earlier in the year.
Patience bristled, confident that she was unaffected by that smile. “Books, sir, are not wrong simply because an individual does not care for their content. Books provide an infinite variety of entertainment value as well as a wealth of factual information. Those books that appeal to one person may not appeal to another, which explains the inventory of libraries and bookstores…”
She could have continued at some length in this vein, but the well-attired gentleman on the other side of the lending counter at Carruthers & Carruthers opened the book in question, presenting its contents to her. Patience had already noted that it was a leatherbound edition of Childe Harolde and surmised it was one of their lending copies, given that it was being returned with a number of other such volumes. But when the book fell open in Mr. Beckham’s gloved hands, she immediately saw that it had been savagely mutilated.
She gasped, as loudly as if he showed her a child with a fatal knife wound.
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Italian
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Letizia PIPERO
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Portuguese
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Evelyn T M Martins
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