title: In Search of a Noble Man
author: Starr, Mariella
description: Belle’s life had gone from one extreme to another. Brought up in a life of luxury, she married young and she married wrong. With her immature, gambling husband now gone, her life had taken a downhill spiral. There seemed to be no end in sight except to flee. There were very few avenues left and now her last ditch attempt to find a decent husband had also vanished.
  
  He made a promise to his aunt, but he only did it to keep her off his back. He would attempt to fulfill it, even if his efforts were half-hearted. He promised to look for a wife, but decent women were scarce in the west. Just any woman wouldn’t do, because he had known love, lived with it, and buried it. He couldn’t see himself settling for anything less. Initially blindsided by her beauty, it was a sense of chivalry that drew him to the dark-haired woman who needed a protector.
  
  Belle had almost given up hope for happiness. She was willing to take on a marriage with a kind stranger in exchange for his protection. He seemed to be an honorable man who trusted his inner feelings and had put his faith in a frightened beauty.
  
  She had no idea of what was involved with marrying a strong man. He believed the strength of a marriage was in loving his woman, supporting and caring for her. He also believed in warming her backside if it was needed. He chose her, but can she learn to love him and what he offered?