gluestick (India) (2008/08/23): Sarah Wellingford's father gambled away her future and that of her siblings. The bank is about to foreclose on their estate, unless Sarah can come up with the money in ten days. Her only chance at the amount of money she needs is to marry it. And thus, Sarah is forced to abandon the promise she made to Sinjin, her first love, never to marry since they could not marry each other. Unfortunately, the wealthy men among her suitors is limited. And the one most eager to marry her, Sir James Findlay, is a villain whose touch she detests. His relentless and ruthless pursuit soon chases away all other prospects. Sarah's season is sponsored by Lady Beaumont, in exchange for Sarah's calming influence on her temperamental daughter Clarissa. Clarissa's temper puts her engagement with the handsome Marquess of Englemere on shaky ground. Sarah's role of peacemaker puts her in frequent contact with Englemere. They become friends and he attempts to find her a suitable husband. But time is running out and a nasty encounter with Findlay forces Sarah to accept the immediate solution offered-marry Englemere. -Linda Fitzner From Literary Times
(Sinjin and Clarissa have their own story in the sequel 'The proper wife'.)
