"The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sophia Russell has no interest in marriage, especially after a recent humiliation-and especially not to Maximilian, Marquess of Devereaux. But it's the only way to save herself from fortune hunters-and those who wish to seize a powerful connection she prefers to keep secret-even from her future husband... Marrying Sophia is the only way Max can regain the wealth his father squandered on an extravagant country palace. And while Max and his bride are civil, theirs is clearly a marriage of convenience-until a family enemy takes a questionable interest in Sophia-one that may lead all the way to the throne. Forced to become allies in a battle they hadn't foreseen, the newlyweds soon grow closer-and discover a love, and a passion, they never expected... "--Cover, page 4.