The Fourth Marchioness by Jayne Davis

He’s looking for a suitable wife. She’s looking for a traitor. It could be a most unusual courtship.

England, 1794

James, Marquess of Harlford, wants nothing more than to be left alone with his scientific research. Unfortunately his mother is determined to see him married and with an heir to secure the succession. Faced with a house party of her selected candidates, he finds himself drawn towards the least likely─and most thoroughly unsuitable─of the guests. Mama will be livid.

While the other ladies are fluttering their eyelashes, Alice Bryant is sensible, kind and intelligent. Although he knows little else about her, James decides that Alice would do nicely as his wife. For Alice, an out-of-work governess, taking up a position as a lady’s companion would be ideal—if that was all the post entailed. Espionage, no matter how righteous the cause, sits ill on her conscience.

Alice does not wish to believe that the seemingly honourable and increasingly attentive Lord Harlford is capable of treason, but it’s her duty to find out if he really is selling secrets to the enemy. They could make an ideal match… if not for the espionage. Can love prosper, or will deceit and subterfuge carry the day?

The Fourth Marchioness is Book 4 in the Marstone Series, but can also be read as a standalone novel with no cliffhangers.