title: To Catch an Earl
author: Lingefelt, Karen
description: James Patton, Earl of Thorndale, prefers to find a wife by chance to his mother's matchmaking. When Emily Rawlinson prevents her niece's elopement only to be mistaken for the would-be bride, she escapes by leaping out of the carriage and into James's arms, in front of London's most notorious scandalmonger. Accident or design? Neither James nor Emily knows, but they agree to a temporary betrothal until gossip subsides, after which they'll quietly part ways. Yet their families keep hindering their secretly planned breakup. His mother insists on announcing their betrothal at a ball. Emily's brother, who blames her for every family misfortune, forbids his daughter to wed until Emily does. Then James's grandmother arrives from Ireland expecting a wedding. As obstacles allow love to bloom, passion to ignite, and secrets to unfold, James and Emily must learn that while it's impossible to leave everything to chance, some things are still beyond their control...but either way, they're meant to be together.