Marriage of Inconvenience: Magical Love in London, #1

By Ysobella Black

Marshall, the Third Marquess of Dalhousie, returns from a mysterious absence of four years a changed man, determined to change his sham of a marriage into a real relationship.

 

Hyacinth, the Fae Princess of Air, is equally determined to keep things as they are. She's had enough experience with a scoundrel husband.

 

Despite their opposing views of the marriage, a new and undeniable passion exists between them, but so do secrets and ghosts.

 

This is a steamy standalone story, with no fade to black scenes, cliffhangers, or cheating. Each novel in the series focuses on the romance of one couple.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ysobella Black
• Release date: Jan 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215941256

Ysobella Black

I love to travel, read, and think of ways to complicate my characters’ lives. I have two borrowed cats who take shameless advantage of my good nature. Hopefully you find my characters a lot more entertaining than I am. :) If you enjoyed this story, you may be interested to know that I write in several series. While each novel is written for one relationship, features unique mythologies, and can be read as standalone, a little more of that world is revealed and the overall arc of the series grows throughout. I also write two versions of most of my stories. For the naughty versions, read stories by Ysobella Black. If you prefer nice/sweet stories with fade to black scenes and no swearing, you'll want to read the versions by Ysobel Black. The best way to find out what’s going on with the series, and me, is to visit my website at https://www.ysobellablack.com. There, you can also check out the wikis and timelines for each series. Or, sign up for the newsletter. https://ysobellablack.com/newsletter/ I send out things like surveys, freebies, contests, and random news about things going on with me that may or may not be interesting.  I love hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me via my website, or find me on social media. I admit, I don't keep up with posting constantly on one account, much less two, so I don't have separate accounts for my two pen names on most platforms. Twitter - @Ysobellablack Pinterest - ysobellablack Goodreads - ysobellablack or ysobelblack Instagram - @ysobellablackauthor TikTok - @ysobellablack Bookbub - ysobellablack or ysobelblack

Book preview

WORKS BY THE AUTHOR

All of my stories and series, except for Alix in Wonderland and Raven Chronicles, are a different aspect of my Dragaverse, but can be read and enjoyed as standalone.

Stories by Ysobel Black

(Nice/Sweet Versions)

Bakery Street Cozy Mysteries

Paranormal Cozy Mysteries

The Lyrical Lycanthrope

Fairy Tales With a Twist

Retellings of fairy tales, myths, and stories you only thought you knew.

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

The Ice Maiden & the Princes of Diamonds

Holiday Hullabaloo

Love in Ashana can be tricky, but twelve days of chaos result in paranormal happily-ever-afters.

A Penghou in a Pine Tree

Two Tatzelwurms

Three French Bêtes

Four Ceffyl Dŵr

Five Golden Wings

Six Grootslangs Playing

Seven Spawns a-Swimming

Eight Maenads Mixing

Nine Lazy Dragons

Ten Swords a-Sneaking

Eleven Pixie Potions

Twelve Lovers Loving

Pohjola Maidens

The Maidens of Pohjola are free, heading for the human world, and looking for love.

Dream's Sleeper: Lemminki

Strygoi Witches & Vampires

Join an Ildum of vampires over 10,000 years of history and mythology as they find their Dragăs — witches who make their hearts beat and restore their souls.

Ember's Light: Stryx

Viktoria's Shadow: Jael

Myth's Legend: Norrix

Bijou's Cure: Zeke

Musette's Fate: Idris

Strygoi Witches & Vampires Companion Stories

Shadowy — Viktoria's prequel (companion novella)

Echo's Answer: Lachlan (companion novel)

COLLECTIONS/BOX SETS

Holiday Hullabaloo

DAYS 1-12

Strygoi Witches & Vampires

COLLECTION ONE, BOOKS 1-4

Stories by Ysobella Black

(Naughty/Steamy Versions)

Alix in Wonderland

A reverse harem (MFMMM) retelling of Alice in Wonderland.

Madness of the Hatter

Bakery Street Mysteries

Paranormal Cozy-ish Mysteries

The Lyrical Lycanthrope

Fairy Tales With a Kink

Retellings of fairy tales, myths, and stories you only thought you knew.

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

The Ice Maiden & the Princes of Diamonds

Grove of Bandrui

Immortal Druids search for their Maités.

Druid of Oaks

Druid of Apples

Harom & Aneja

Witches choose three men to form their Haroms as they become Aneja — Walkers in magic. Reverse Harem (MFMM) 

RealmWalker

BeastWalker

Magical Love in London

Regency London with a Paranormal twist

A Marriage of Inconvenience

Oubliette

Paranormal Short and Steamy Stories

Selkie

Merrow

Pohjola Passions

The Maidens of Pohjola are free, heading for the human world, and looking for love.

Dream’s Sleeper: Lemminki

Raven Chronicles: Phoenix Rising

An epic spanning generations — the battle for the Raven Throne is full of sex, intrigue, and betrayal.

First Generation

Souls Lost & Found

Under a Blue Moon, star-crossed lovers get a second chance for their love to shine.

The Egyptian

Utopia Pack Shifters

A pack of shifters find their Fateds.

Unyielding

Vampires & Strygoi Witches

Join an Ildum of vampires over 10,000 years of history and mythology as they find their Dragăs — witches who make their hearts beat and restore their souls.

Ember’s Light: Stryx

Viktoria’s Shadow: Jael

Myth’s Legend: Norrix

Bijou’s Cure: Zeke

Musette’s Fate: Idris

Vampires & Strygoi Witches Companion Stories

Shadowy — Viktoria's Prequel (Companion Novella)

Echo’s Answer: Lachlan (Companion Novel)

Xuterias: Xov & Xau

Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romances

Poisoned Heart

Yuletide Chaos

Short Paranormal Romances about finding love in mystical Ashana.

A Penghou in a Pine Tree

Two Tatzelwurms

Three French Bêtes

Four Ceffyl Dŵr

Five Golden Wings

Six Grootslangs Playing

Seven Spawns a-Swimming

Eight Maenads Mixing

Nine Lazy Dragons

Ten Swords a-Sneaking

Eleven Pixie Potions

Twelve Lovers Loving

12 Days of Chaos Box Set

COLLECTIONS/BOX SETS

Three First in a Series

FATED – Three Firsts

Ember's Light:Stryx

RealmWalker

Poisoned Heart

Five First in a Series

FATED – Five Firsts

Ember's Light:Stryx

The Crimson Hood & the Alpha of Wolves

RealmWalker

Dream's Sleeper: Lemminki

Poisoned Heart

Vampires & Strygoi Witches

COLLECTION ONE: BOOKS 1-4

Yuletide Yearnings

DAYS 1-12

https://ysobellablack.com/newsletter

CHAPTER ONE

LONDON. 1810

MARSHALL

DASTARDLY. HARROWBY'S black eyes glittered in amused disapproval. Your preference for women who belong to other men is well known, but your best friend’s mistress? You know Stirling's lost his head over Cin, and you still intend her to be your next paramour? The Earl sipped his brandy. That's low even for you, Dal.

That was something, coming from Harrowby, who had few, if any, morals — all questionable.

Marshall Faulkner, the third Marquess of Dalhousie, kept his eyes on Hyacinth, the woman under discussion.

Dubbed Cin by her friends, she was tall, lithely muscled yet stunningly curved, and moved with the grace of a predatory cat. She had a sultry glow that was addicting, or so rumors said. Her former lovers had gone into lengthy depressions after she ended their affairs.

Her dark hair was long, and she wore it down in defiance of the current style. Purple highlights appeared and vanished as she and Stirling waltzed among the other couples on the dance floor.

Marshall studied the Fae Princess of Air with an appraising eye. Exquisite, otherworldly, and daring – he could not have designed a wife more ideal to irritating his mother.

He'd just needed a magical portal between realms to open in order to find the perfect woman. Eight years ago, Fae refugees had made their way from their war ravaged world into the human one.

As they integrated into Society, gentlemen taking Fae women as mistresses had become the fashion — they had exotic beauty, and didn't mind indulging wilder carnal appetites.

Marshall had no difficulty imagining how a man could mourn the loss of Cin's attentions. Under the blazing lights of the massive chandeliers, Hyacinth glittered like a precious jewel among common pebbles.

She smiled up at Stirling with a curving of sensual lips too full for fashion, but just right to rim a man’s cock. Jealous women stared daggers, and every covetous man hoped she turned her amethyst eyes his way when she chose her next lover.

As long as Cin had Stirling, she would not look elsewhere. She kept her lovers for months, and dedicated herself to one at a time. She’d had Stirling for a year, and showed no signs of jilting him, but had no interest in matrimony. On the occasions her lovers proposed, she refused. A proposal was usually the death knell of the affair.

Marshall had no doubt he could change her mind. Things will work out, Harrow, he murmured. Trust me.

You're plotting to cuckold your best friend. Harrowby smirked. No one can trust you.

He deserved that. You can trust me to give you a hundred pounds if you drag Stirling away from Cin.

Make it two hundred, and we have an accord.

Bloody hell. Anyone would think you were a pirate on the high seas.

Harrowby flashed brilliant white teeth in a smile that was more snarl. You have no idea.

Fine. Two hundred pounds.

Downing the last of his brandy, Harrowby deposited the empty glass on the tray of a passing servant. He smoothed his unfashionably long hair back and straightened from his indolent pose against the wall. "Well, he's not my best friend."

Grinning, Marshall bowed slightly to his greedy acquaintance who made his way into the crowd when the music stopped.

Marshall ambled around the edges of the ballroom, toward the keystone of his plan. The journey was slow going, his way blocked by an unending stream of predatory mothers and hopeful daughters.

Flirting and kissing hands freely, Marshall left every female certain he would call on her with a formal offer of marriage, without making a single promise.

Harrowby lured Stirling away. Dal smoothly slid in front of a crowd of avid admirers and raised Cin's gloved hand to his lips. As he lifted his head, her purple eyes laughed at him.

I am flattered by such single-minded devotion, Lord Dalhousie.

Lovely Hyacinth, you draw me like a moth to a flame. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and led her on a walk around the dance floor.

Need a respite from ambitious mamas? she asked in her throaty voice. "I’m afraid even associating with me will not be enough to make you less of a prize — handsome, rich, and titled."

Marshall breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction, inundating his senses with her intoxicating scent of exotic Fae flowers. He had come to know Cin well in the year she had been with Stirling, and liked her immensely.

None of these women will do for you. They are far too innocent. Cin gave an elegant shrug of her bare shoulders, her pale, glowing skin set off alluringly by her dark purple gown and amethyst necklace. You are young. Perhaps when you age properly, you will settle enough to not frighten your bride with your appetites.

Fae measured time differently than humans. Cin never revealed how old she was, but, under the influence of a great deal of Fae wine, had admitted she would always appear to be in her mid-twenties.

Or I could marry a mature woman, and save myself the trouble of attempting to alter my bad habits. I want you, Cin, he said softly. An affair will not suffice. Marriage, however, will satisfy my needs nicely.

Soft, husky laughter drifted through the air. Oh, Dal. I adore your humor. It is so hard to find unabashedly wicked men.

And it is lamentably hard to find a creature as blatantly sexual as you, my dear Hyacinth. I’m afraid you are quite unique, and therefore irreplaceable.

She shot him a sidelong glance. You are keeping that actress — the pretty one with no acting ability — are you not?

Marshall smiled. Yes. Elizabeth could not act, but she was pretty, and her considerable abilities lay in more carnal activities.

Honestly, Dal. You are... She raked him with a narrowed glance. Well, you are delectable, but far too young —

I am two and twenty, and could ride you well, Cin. Never doubt it.

Such modesty is not like you, Lord Dalhousie. Her laughter rang musically in his ears.

However, you misunderstand my plans. I have a mistress. Two, in fact, and you have Stirling —

She narrowed her eyes at him. I am not finished with Stirling.

Keep him. I do not object.

So kind of you to grant your permission. She frowned and tilted her head. Have you been imbibing Fae wine?

No, Hyacinth.

And you’ve no wish to bed me?

He took in the ripe curves of her breasts swelling above her bodice with male appreciation. I did not say that. You are a beautiful woman, and I am an amorous man. However, since we are to be bound together in matrimony, we have a lifetime to make that leap, if we ever do.

Cin stopped walking, bringing him to a halt. She stared at him, and shook her head. If you are serious —

There you are! a cheery baritone voice called from behind them.

Blast. Marshall bit back the curse, and faced his best friend with a careless smile.

Thank you for keeping the vultures at a distance, Dal, Stirling's besotted face lit with pleasure at the sight of his lover. That scoundrel Harrowby distracted me with something that proved not worth my time.

Stymied for the moment, Marshall relinquished Cin to her lover.

Temporarily.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Marshall growled as the petite, hooded figure entered his bedroom. He paused his pacing, his robe swirling to a halt around his bare legs.

I come when I can, Dal.

Emma threw her hood back, revealing silvery-blonde hair and a beloved face. She was nearly ethereal as a Fae, and delicate as gossamer fairy wings. He wasn't entirely sure she didn't have Fae ancestry in her blood.

The portal had opened a few years ago, but Fae visited the human world long before that.

Marshall crossed the room in two strides and took her mouth, lifting her from the floor as he crushed her to his chest. It is not often enough, Em.

I am a married woman. I cannot drop everything to serve your needs.

You’ve no need to remind me of that. He buried his face in the curve of her shoulder, and breathed her in. She was so soft and sweet. I’ve missed you.

Emma, Lady Berkeley, gave a breathless laugh. Liar. Her kiss-swollen lips turned down. You've been seen with that actress more than a few times in the fortnight since I last saw you.

She means nothing. It’s you I love. He could explain, but she would not understand his need for wild, unrestrained fucking, just as she had not understood her husband's appetites during bedsport.

Emma was too slight and genteel to enjoy such passions. His respect for her led him to seek such activities elsewhere.

Oh, Dal. She sighed, her fingers curling into the hairs at his nape. I think perhaps you love me as much as you can.

Never doubt it, he said ardently. I'll love you always, Em. Taking a moment to divest her of the cape, he tossed it aside and carried her to his bed. As he undressed her, he seethed inside.

Emma was supposed to have been his bride, but he had gone away on his Grand Tour, and returned to find his childhood love married.

It was his fault. He'd never written a single letter to her, and broken her heart when rumors of his affairs had reached her, which led her to believe he had set her aside.

His mother had fostered that belief at every opportunity. Emma was not of a high enough station in the dowager’s eyes. To this day, she nagged him about marrying an appropriate lady and producing an heir.

If only Emma had held on to her faith a little while longer. This could have been their bed. One she did not have to leave.

Naked, her pale skin glowed in moonlight, and possibly magic. Emma took his breath away, as she always had. He had loved her as long as he could remember. She was so beautiful.

Not in the way Cin was. She had an airy, carnal sensuality. Emma was more...  ethereal.

He cupped her breast, noticing the new fullness and weight. A faint sense of dread nibbled at the edge of his passion.

She covered his hand with hers. Marshall, she said in her lilting voice. He caught her gaze, and his heart swelled at the love he saw there.

Yes, my love?

I am increasing.

MarshalI gaped as the dread crashed over him. Emma, dear God!

Her lovely cornflower blue eyes filled with tears. Tell me you are happy. Please.

I . . . Marshall swallowed hard. He had been careful, and made use of French letters. Another of his mistresses had died trying to bring his babe into the world. The idea of his sweet, delicate Emma swelling with his child elated and terrified him.

Of course, my sweet. He had to ask the obvious question. What of Berkeley?

Emma smiled sadly. I do not believe there will be any doubt the child is yours.

Stomach clenched, Marshall laid her back. She looked angelic against his blood-red, velvet counterpane. He discarded his robe and climbed atop her. Come away with me.

He lowered his head, and sealed his lips over hers, moaning at the sweet taste of her. If only things were different. If only she had waited.

If only. If only. If only.

Come away with me, Emma, he begged. We can be happy together.

Tears slid down her temples. Dal, my love. She cupped his face in her tiny palms. You are such a dreamer.

Dreamer! He had enough wealth to provide for her and the child. A dozen children! She'd never want for anything.

He nuzzled the valley between her breasts, grinding his erection into the bedding in an attempt to temper his desire. With an iron will, he controlled his baser demands. You cannot deny me.

Too true. She caressed his back. If I had been stronger, how different our lives would have been. But Berkeley. . . I have shamed him enough.

Marshall pressed loving kisses to her tight belly, and thought of his child who had taken root there. His heart raced in near panic. What will you do, if you will not have me?

Berkeley will not refuse the child. He gave me his word. We depart for Edinburgh tomorrow.

Edinburgh! His head lifted in surprise. Bloody hell, why so far away?

That is where Berkeley wishes to go. With her hands under his arms, she tugged him over her, spreading her legs wide in welcome. Under the circumstances, how can I deny his request?

Feeling as if she were drifting from him, Marshall rose over her, and slid his cock slowly into her, groaning his lust as she closed hot and tight around him.

But you will come back to me, he said hoarsely.

Emma’s silvery head thrashed softly in pleasure, her eyes squeezed shut. Yes, I will return. Her depths fluttered along his shaft. I cannot live without you. Without this.

Holding her tightly to him, Marshall thrust gently even as he wanted to rut. He stroked into her in the way he knew brought her the most pleasure, while restraining his own needs. I love you, Emma.

CHAPTER TWO

HYACINTH

THWACK. TINK.

Hyacinth groaned. Whatever sleep she'd managed hadn't left her rested. She lay in bed, body exhausted, mind groggy, trying to determine what had disturbed her slumber.

Tink. Thwack. Tink.

Tiny pebbles hitting the glass and outside wall provided the annoying sounds.

Rubbing her eyes, Hyacinth sat up and reached for her night rail to cover her nakedness. She glanced at the large-faced clock on the mantel, illuminated by the lit candles on either side.

Stirling had departed only two hours before. It was dawn.

Tink. Tink. Thwack.

Once she dealt with this disturbance, whoever he was, she planned to sleep into the late afternoon. Why couldn't hopeful lovers attempt their overtures at a decent hour?

Her magic flowed within her, sending a glow over her skin. She would blow this would-be lover all the way to the Scottish Highlands. Some of the hungrier Fae haunted that area.

Hyacinth shivered as she made her way to the window. She shoved aside heavy curtains, pushed up the sash, and looked out at her rear garden.

She sighed. I suppose if I must be disturbed at this hour, at least it is for a sight as handsome as you.

The Marquess of Dalhousie grinned up at her. Dal's shiny brown hair was disheveled and his deep blue eyes red-rimmed. He lacked a cravat and waistcoat, and the neck of his shirt gaped, revealing an expanse of golden skin and a few strands of chest hair. She could not help but smile back at him.

Dal reminded her so much of her husband when she met him eight years ago. Those had been happy times, short-lived as they were. O Romeo — She took a seat on the window bench.

Oh, please. He groaned, cutting her off with that deep laugh of his. Let me in, will you? It’s cold out here.

Dal. She shook her head. Go away before you are seen, or this will be all over the city in the morning.

He crossed his arms, the material of his black jacket straining to contain his brawny arms and broad shoulders. Dal was so young, his face as yet unlined. Still a boy in so many ways. Her husband had been the same age when he’d swept her off her feet.

Before she'd learned about men and all the ways they could betray her.

I am not leaving, Cin. Invite me in before I make a spectacle of myself.

The stubborn set of his jaw meant he was serious. Well, as serious as a man such as he could be.

Go to the front, she relented. Someone will admit you.

Humans had strange traditions about clothing, who could enter a house through what door, what to call one another, and proper times for visiting. They would definitely frown on a man climbing into her bedroom window at this time of morning. It would start one of the scandals they relished, but pretended not to.

As a diplomat, she lived in the human world, but she wondered if she'd ever truly understand its inhabitants.

Hyacinth rose slipped on her black silk dressing robe. She left her bedroom and entered her boudoir, where she opened the curtains to let in the now pale pink light.

Decorated in soft shades of ivory and green, with tassled drapes, and gilt-edged chairs and chaise, this was her favorite room.

A large portrait of her husband hung on the far wall. The earl's seductive mouth curved in the smile that had won her hand in marriage. Heartbreak and loathing rose within her. He served as a reminder never to be naïve, and always guard her heart.

She had loved him, and he'd been everything to her – until she overheard two women discussing how a Fae wife was an amusement, as no man would seriously consider one a proper wife, further emphasizing that point by discussing her husband's carnal prowess and stamina.

Five years ago, he'd met his death in a duel over a paramour. That betrayal and humiliation still stung.

A soft scratching came from the door. Hyacinth called out and the panel opened, revealing the frowning apparition of her disheveled butler.

My lady, the Marquess of Dalhousie requests a moment of your time. He cleared his throat. From the service door.

Hyacinth bit back a smile, her dark mood fleeing at the picture of Dal, haughty and arrogant, standing in dishabille at the delivery entrance.

I will see him.

The slight twitching of a bushy gray eyebrow was the only indication of surprise, along with mild disapproval. While the servant fetched Dal, she lit the tapers positioned around the room.

She hoped he would be quick about whatever he wanted at this time of day. Thinking of their odd conversation at the ball, she wondered if he might not need some help. He could be a bit touched in the head.

Sometimes humans called that away with the fairies, which amused the Fae. No one truly away with a fairy was merely distracted.

Certainly, she and Dal had been friendly toward one another, but never more than that. She'd always gotten along well