A Loveless Marriage - Jessica Swift - Wattpad

A Loveless Marriage

Reads 92,115
Votes 5,238
Parts 40
Time 6h 48m

Reads 92,115
Votes 5,238
Parts 40
Time 6h 48m

"Well it is unfortunate that you will be saddled with a husband, despite your preference to remain a spinster," Mr Wilkes said with a smirk.

"I beg your pardon?" 

The faintest alarm flickered in his eyes. 

"You don't really intend to refuse me?" 

The look on his face turned to that of a bewildered schoolboy. Frederick Wilkes was not used to refusal.

"You don't really mean to propose marriage to a lady you have just met?" 

London, 1910. A strange bequest in a will leads to Mary Taylor hastily marrying reckless playboy Frederick Wilkes. Fred has a bad reputation but it is the seemingly moral Mary's past that threatens to destroy them both. 


A story of love, betrayal and murder.
Best ranks: #1 in literary fiction, #1 in historical fiction #5 romanceAll Rights Reserved

Table of contents

40 parts

Sign up to add A Loveless Marriage to your library and receive updates

or

Content Guidelines

You may also like

Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book) by Eleanormeyers

( COMPLETED STORY) What happens when the rakish Lord in the whole of London is truly falling in love with a simple, plain, and most ordinary girl, something he has been avoiding- his innermost fear. True love? Miss Amy Ott is London's newest riddle. . . She's the mysterious niece of one of England's wealthiest dukes, and is about to encounter her first season. Knowing nothing about the workings of corsets and country dances, she's looking for any help she can find... even when it comes from the most unlikely source... London's infamous rogue-an older Duke. Duke Wardington's face transformed into something... dark . "Don't fear, Miss Ott. I have no desire of you. What if I told you that I could make you the belle of the ball? In every ball. The entire season." Amy chuckled. "Me? The belle of the ball? Impossible!" ... Or was it? This catches the attention from the most unlikely, most alluring man in all of London. Lord Nathaniel Dawnton knows what he wants. Amy Ott. And... this is definitely not in a way that he could speak of in public. The scoundrel, who blackened his own soul, had met all sorts of women throughout his years, but none like Amy. He's intrigued and won't stop until he has her. When Nathaniel's pursuits meet the walls of Amy's strength, the young lord is ready to jump those walls blindly... But... he doesn't realize that a jump toward Amy might mean a fall toward love... something he has been avoiding-his innermost fear ... true love. Find out NOW!

His Sinful Heiress [Mature Read] by Sylvia-Norcroft

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥. When faced with a choice, Lord Henry Clarke decided to become a famous and accomplished archaeologist rather than a happily married man to the woman of his heart. Now, at the age of one-and-forty, he lives a comfortable life as a bachelor, working as a professor at the University of London and paying regular visits to his two devoted lovers. His life takes an abrupt turn, when his childless older brother commits suicide, making him the next Duke of Grantchester. Yet that's a minor obstacle compared to the fact that he'll also have to marry to keep the money in the family... Miss Sabrina Hartley has New York at her feet... and perhaps all of America! But only one person knows who's behind the pseudonym that pens the most daring and bestselling erotic novels. When, at the age of one-and-thirty, she sees her younger cousin get married, she decides to turn the fiction of her stories into reality. However, her plans are soon thwarted by a series of telegrams from England - in order to keep half of her vast fortune, Sabrina must marry the current Duke of Grantchester as a direct result of an old agreement between their late fathers, Mr Hartley and Lord Clarke. Despite her best friend's warnings, Sabrina somewhat naively sets off to see if she can be happy in England... ...only to discover to her dismay that Henry is a cold and starchy man, his family reject her out of hand, and even the weather is dreadful almost every day! Will she find a way to her husband's heart or will she fulfill her darkest and most forbidden fantasies in the secret embrace of someone else?

The Reluctant Marchioness by littleLo

After a disastrous first season in London, Rose Wilde finds herself torn between two men who love her -- but who both hide secrets that could ruin her. ***** Rose Wilde has always considered herself plain, especially when compared to her beautiful older sister Charlotte, and has practically given up on the idea of being romanced. But when American hotelier Derek Montgomery comes to revolutionise her little, sleepy English village of Ascot, Rose starts to revisit the idea of falling in love. However, Derek brings with him many secrets and obligations, some that might prohibit him from pursuing Rose -- and push her into the arms of her friend, Michael Cornell, the Marquess of Juniper. Will fate allow Rose and Derek to marry for love? Or will she indeed become the reluctant marchioness? [[Word count: 70,000 - 80,000 words]] Cover designed by Ashley Bandy (The Reluctant Marchioness is the sequel to The Coveted Countess, but can also be read as a standalone)

A Reputation Reclaimed by Demri_Hess

Duty and Reputation before Love and Passion. Lowen Roskelley, the sixth Duke of Carrivick, seeks the perfect bride to complement his prestigious title. But an infuriating encounter with a notorious vixen leaves him questioning his carefully laid plans. Love and Passion before Duty and Reputation. Miss Helena Hargreaves, the product of a love match, dreams of a husband who embodies her romantic ideals. After a chance encounter with a self-righteous duke threatens to ruin both their reputations, they decide to marry out of necessity. Though neither is the partner they envisioned, both are determined to shape their marriage to their desires. Lowen wants a dutiful bride to grace his title, while Helena yearns for an attentive husband. But as their marriage reaches a crossroads, they must decide whether they can find common ground perhaps even love if their union will crumble before their eyes. Content Warning: Verbal/emotional abuse, minor detail of a physical assault against the heroine (before meeting the hero), and dubious consent in a later chapter. Please take care of yourself and your well-being, and skip if this is too much to handle. Other than that, please enjoy and any feedback is welcome :) I should mention.

The Accidental Duchess by littleLo

When the arrogant stranger Bess is forced to marry unexpectedly becomes a duke, she'll find herself at odds with her growing feelings as he hunts for a killer. ***** Sharp-tongued Elizabeth 'Bess' Jones is perfectly content living on her lonesome in a tiny village south of Derbyshire. She works as a nurse, owns a small home, and finds the label of 'spinster' an agreeable trade for her independence. But when her entire life is uprooted in an instant, she only has one person to blame: her new husband, Emmett Wilde, who was caught in a compromising situation with her. And now, despite his promise to fake a death certificate after their wedding--to free her of any duty to him or their marriage bed--he sends for her in the dead of night with startling news: his father has been murdered, and he is now the Duke of Ascot with a wife he can no longer deny... [[Word Count: 60,000-70,000 words]] [[Cover designed by Ren Tachibana]]

Rediscovering Love by HHarrisAuthor

Carmella 'Ella' Camden, a curious and intelligent young woman, dreams of finding love and companionship. Despite her beauty and wit, she constantly feels overlooked by noble men during her social seasons, who only seem interested in her friends and relatives. Losing hope, Ella resigns herself to the life of a spinster. Meanwhile, Jeremiah 'Jeremy' Morvall, Duke of Darlington, returns to England after traveling for business, being left no choice he has to find a lady to shoo away the eager ladies and their mothers. Fate brings Jeremy and Ella together at a grand ball, where Ella seeks solace in the Duke's library, surrounded by books that have always been her faithful companions. Little does she know that Jeremy instantly becomes captivated by her enchanting presence. However, Ella's past experiences have left her feeling unworthy of such attention, and she dismisses Jeremy's interest as nothing more than a fleeting curiosity. As Jeremy persistently pursues Ella's affections, the walls around her heart begin to crumble. But can Ella overcome her insecurities and allow herself to believe in love once more? Will Jeremy's true motives be exposed, or will he prove himself to be a genuine and devoted suitor? "Rediscovering Love" is a heartwarming historical romance that explores themes of self-discovery, overcoming past disappointments, and finding love when least expected. Readers will be swept away on a journey filled with tender moments, unexpected twists, and the undeniable power of true love. #1 IN SEASON - 05TH MARCH 2025 #1 IN HISTORICAL - 18TH JUNE 2024 #2 IN HISTORICAL - 31ST OCTOBER 2024

𝘈 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺'𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦. by serenefa1ry

Eloise Bridgerton forced to go out into society..this season to find a husband, she is to court with Ambrose Harrington with no interest she quickly realized why she did not want to marry and decided the both of them have a fake marriage alliance to keep the mothers off their back. That is until a terrible tragedy happens and out of this comes a beautiful relationship beginning with Eloise and Valerie Ambrose's oldest sister..read to find out..what shall happen..next. Started: June 6th, 2024. Ended: June 14th, 2024. © @JustAnotherB3BE

Heart's Desire by abrobinette

[COMPLETED] At the age of 15, Miss Charity Chadwick is tricked into marriage. Her new husband, unhappy with their union, banishes her to his northernmost estate and promptly forgets about her existence. There, she remains for the next ten years, alone and neglected. Julian Lyons, Viscount Wrotham happily goes about his life, confident in his title and the position it affords him in society. All this changes when he is rudely reminded of the wife he tried so hard to forget. A decade has passed, seeing him act the bachelor. That is, until one fateful entry in his accounts that calls his attention to the unjust marriage that tried to put an end to his carefree days. Julian, having proof of Charity's unfaithfulness, rushes to confront his unwanted wife. He wishes to finally rid himself of her one way or the other. Then, he can truly forget the woman who forced him into marriage. Unfortunately, a powerful grandfather and fellow lords want a reconciliation. Charity, not knowing of her husband's unannounced return, does not recognize him. Although she is innocent of the charges, she does not deny them. She has plans of her own to end their marriage. When these two meet again, will love blossom and strengthen their union? Or will they part, unwilling to recognize their heart's desire?

Husband Wanted (HC #1) by Flo_Writes

Elizbeth Anne Humphrey wants a husband. Her expectations are not outlandish; all she asks is that he be reasonably handsome, reasonably wealthy and completely kind. Her brothers have offered their assistance, and it's given her hope that perhaps there is a man out there who might want her for a wife. But alas, the first man she meets after recommitting to the battle against spinsterhood is reasonably handsome, reasonably naked and completely soaked through and stranded on their front steps. He also has a head-wound and no memory of who he is, but Elizabeth Humphrey has larger mysteries to solve; namely, the mystery of who she might marry. Wattys 2022 Entry Completed: March 2022 (~83000 words)

You may also like

Slide 1 of 9

Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book) cover

His Sinful Heiress [Mature Read] cover

The Reluctant Marchioness cover

A Reputation Reclaimed cover

The Accidental Duchess cover

Rediscovering Love cover

𝘈 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺'𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦. cover

Heart's Desire cover

Husband Wanted (HC #1) cover

Regency Romance: An Unexpected Duke's Invitation (A Historical Romance Book)

( COMPLETED STORY) What happens when the rakish Lord in the whole of London is truly falling in love with a simple, plain, and most ordinary girl, something he has been avoiding- his innermost fear. True love? Miss Amy Ott is London's newest riddle. . . She's the mysterious niece of one of England's wealthiest dukes, and is about to encounter her first season. Knowing nothing about the workings of corsets and country dances, she's looking for any help she can find... even when it comes from the most unlikely source... London's infamous rogue-an older Duke. Duke Wardington's face transformed into something... dark . "Don't fear, Miss Ott. I have no desire of you. What if I told you that I could make you the belle of the ball? In every ball. The entire season." Amy chuckled. "Me? The belle of the ball? Impossible!" ... Or was it? This catches the attention from the most unlikely, most alluring man in all of London. Lord Nathaniel Dawnton knows what he wants. Amy Ott. And... this is definitely not in a way that he could speak of in public. The scoundrel, who blackened his own soul, had met all sorts of women throughout his years, but none like Amy. He's intrigued and won't stop until he has her. When Nathaniel's pursuits meet the walls of Amy's strength, the young lord is ready to jump those walls blindly... But... he doesn't realize that a jump toward Amy might mean a fall toward love... something he has been avoiding-his innermost fear ... true love. Find out NOW!