The Elusive Bride

the long version

WEDDING DAY HIDE-AND-SEEK In her exquisite silk wedding gown Julianna Redmere was a vision against the rose-bedecked background of her parents' Yorkshire estate. And her groom? Therein lay her dilemma, for Julianna had never met Lord Carlton. Wags whispered that he was a handsome rakehell who wanted a wife solely for breeding purposes. But Julianna needed something more—she needed love. So she decided to run...and run she did, to the stables, and onto her favorite horse. A wild gallop took her to the village, and a hasty dismount sent her tumbling into masculine arms. Julianna looked up into the twinkling eyes of a dashing stranger who introduced himself as Edward Fitzpaine, a gentleman at the service of a lady in distress. He called for a carriage. He arranged her escape. And he lied. For in reality he was Lord Carlton, and he had hatched a scheme to win over his elusive bride. But was he ready to be what Julianna passionately longed for—a groom who had lost his heart?