In Scandal They Wed

By Sophie Jordan

What kind of woman would marry a man she only just met?

The kind with nothing to lose.

Long ago, Evelyn Cross sacrificed her good name, her freedom, and any hope for love. Now, in the remote English countryside, she struggles to survive and avoid the scandal threatening to destroy all she holds dear . . . until a sinfully handsome viscount arrives on her doorstep, offering marriage, salvation, and tempting her with so much more . . .

What kind of man would marry a woman he only just met?

The kind bound by duty.

Fresh from war, Spencer Lockhart returns home to claim his title and right the wrong his cousin perpetrated upon Evelyn Cross. In need of a wife, his marrying her is a small price to pay for duty. But when he meets her, the fiery chit is not what he expects to find in a ruined lady. As desire flares hotly between them, honor is the last thing on his mind . . .

What kind of man and woman would marry when they've only just met?

The kind who could ignite a scandal with just one touch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 30, 2010
• ISBN: 9780061989902

Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and streaming anything that has a happily ever after.

Reviews for In Scandal They Wed

[monika fall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What I look for in such a tale is how the storyline has a certain rhythm like musical piece; its, not to wishy-washy and its not too complex. Some writers utilize far too many elevated words when in truth, simplicity is best. This book delivered just that; simple yet, quite a lovely read. BRAVO!

[thewestwing-864351 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So I loved the writing in this but wasn’t a fan of either plot or the main characters. I like a flawed hero but he just seemed like a bit of a prick. And the plot was very monotonous with both characters having the same inner monologue throughout the book.

[tivonut · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good historical romance. Enjoyed it greatly. Maybe a little too much worry about truths on the heroine's part and when to tell but understandable in my view. She had been hiding things, for good reason, for a long time.

[addictofromance · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Every time I get a chance to read from Sophie Jordan I find myself in for one hell of a ride of a story. I always know that it will be easy to read and I will be thoroughly entertained. Even though I enjoyed this one, there was just something I felt was missing. It was very easy and a quick read, which is the norm for Jordan's book. But I felt like there wasn't much of a "romance", I wish there had been a bit more development between the couple. The end seemed a bit rushed, however I would slightly recommend this, just it wouldn't be at the top of my list of favorites of this author.Evie is one of the three girls where they formed a friendship at the Penwhich school for girls, which was misery in and of itself. Her father sent her there when she was a girl. Now after returning from Barbados, where she was almost attacked and raped, she knows that she will have to sacrifice everything for her sister, who is the only one in her family that loves her. When her sister Linnie gives birth to a son, with the father a soldier and serving elsewhere, she is about to lose her child. So Evie claims the child as her own, and is to be taken to the countryside and will claim to be a widow. Four years have passed since, and Nicholas, she considers to be her own, especially since Linnie died shortly after giving birth. Then she meets Spencer Lockhart, who claims to be the cousin of Nicholas' father and Linnie's lover. AT first she is resistant to him, but when he proposes marriage and a life of security and opportunity for her son, she is more than willing. At first she is afraid of his reaction to the truth, but the lie starts to eat away at her, and when her feelings for him start to slowly change into love, she knows she must tell him everything. But she wonders when the truth comes out will he still care about her, or will she lost him completely?Spencer has retired from the army, since his brothers death, he knows it is up to him to take responsibility to the title that rests on his shoulders. He is still grieving for his cousin who was his close friend, and has dreamed for years of "Linnie". Spencer is a bit arrogant, very sexual, and I had a hard time liking him for most of the book, until the end, he started to become a bit likable. So he was not my favorite, especially in his treatment of Evie, who I think has a heart of gold. Evie, has sacrificed everything for her family, and they still treat her like dirt. Spencer isn't much different, its all about sex for him, whereas Evie wishes for something more in their relationship. I loved how strong willed she is, and doesn't back down and demands respect for herself...I love seeing her develop some good backbone especially to her parents in the end. (they totally deserved it). I found something lacking in their relationship.Overall this was my least favorite of Sophie Jordan so far. I was very surprised that I didn't like it more. I found it to be a bit brutal for Jordan's style. I didn't really like it all that much, there were some good factors involved, but I felt like there was some substance missing from it. I felt like there could have been more development in their relationship, and I didn't see how they went from sex and hating each other, to madly in love. It just didn't fit for me completely. Disappointed, but plan on reading more from this author, since I know I have just loved her other books.

[lifeafterjane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Evie Cross, newly evicted from The Penwich School for Virtuous Girls, returns home to discover a case of compromised virtue. Not hers, mind you, but that of her well loved sister, Linnie who foolishly found herself in the bed of a man she thought she loved and subsequently got herself pregnant. Linnie was her parents last hope of weaseling their way into better society and if her condition is discovered, all of their nefarious scheming has been for nothing.Having been out of the country for long enough not to rouse suspicious, Evie takes Linnie's child to raise as her own, masquerading as a widow to protect Linnie's reputation and more importantly, her child.Years later, her sister having died and any potential scandal along with her, Evie has established a safe, quiet, albeit poverty stricken life for herself and her adopted son. Out of the blue, a man arrives asking after Nicholas. Spencer Lockhart, Lord Winters, is the cousin of Nick's father, who died on the battlefield but not before securing Spencer's promise to look after Nicholas and Linnie. For years Spencer has lived with the dream of Linnie, visions of her loveliness planted in his mind by his cousin's stories of her. Now he has returned and means to protect both Linnie and her son with his name by making the woman of his dreams his wife. Fearing that the truth could mean Spencer taking Nicholas from her, Evie plays along with his assumptions that she is her sister and agrees to marry him, hoping that he doesn't discover that his bride to be isn't exactly the woman of his dreams.Loved this story. I had no idea what kid of man ol' Spence would ultimately turn out to be so I had no idea what would happen to Evie or her son. you don't go around duping influential members of the nobility and expect to get off light. He might turn out to be a real asshole. All in all, a great little story. No instant fairytale love, but some marvelous instant sexual tension. Evie, you go girl.I've ordered five more of Miz Jordan's books. She has even written a YA novel that I'd love to get my greedy little hands on.