Dance With Me At Midnight by Samantha Holt

Eloise has done her best to play the dutiful stepdaughter, taking on the work of her departed mother and running the household and looking after her useless stepbrothers. However, when her stepfather announces she’ll be married before summer—to a man she’s never met—she’s determined to fight it.

Of course, in between battling her stepfather’s plans, Eloise has other things to keep her busy. Planning for the spring ball and looking after her ever-growing animal sanctuary. With the help of Bennett, the stablehand, she has nursed and raised everything from a baby owl to a rather naughty parrot. Much to her stepfather’s disgust.

Charles, the newly minted Earl of Marlton, always knew he’d be married within months of inheriting the title. Having returned home from his studies in France, he was prepared to be the dutiful heir and take on everything that being an earl entailed—including marrying a wealthy, attractive, well-bred woman. Lord Fairfax has promised his stepdaughter was just that. He’s fully prepared to wed the woman he’s never met by summer.

Until he meets her that is.

Eloise is nothing like the poised, elegant and controlled woman he thought she’d be. Beautiful, yes, even with a damned parrot sitting on her shoulder, but hardly marchioness material. However, her wealth and connections, and his commitment to spend time with her family ensures he must stay. And perhaps he could consider himself a little intrigued by her. Unfortunately for Charles, he cannot seem to get close enough to her to find out more, especially when she keeps running off with the stablehand.

Can he persuade her he’s more than a stuffy lord, interested in only her wealth? And does he really want to compete with a stablehand and a menagerie of animals? All he knows is the more time he spends with her, the more he’s convinced it might well be worth it.