by: Ruth A. Casie
Series: Barrington’s Brigade
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Release Date: January 25, 2025
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
In a world of secrets, love, and ticking clocks, their alliance of convenience may just become a marriage of the heart.
Ewan, the Marquess of Glenraven, finds himself returning to his home in Belgrave Square, summoned back to London by his former commanding officer, Lord Barrington. Ewan’s been entrusted with the task of unraveling a deceitful gambling scheme and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious deaths tied to it. He is also faced with a pressing personal ultimatum: either secure his trust by marrying by his 30th birthday, five weeks hence, or risk losing it all.
In Cavendish Square, a mile north of Belgravia, Lady Juliet Hayward carries the heavy burden of her late brother, Bradley’s gambling debts. Her own future teeters on the brink of destitution. Determined to confront the man who has her brother’s vowels and control of her survival, she’s determined to find him and negotiate a solution.
As Ewan and Juliet are drawn together, they conceal their true intentions, not knowing they both seek the one person who holds the cards. However, time is not on their side. In a bold move, they confess to each other and devise a plan—a marriage of convenience, a calculated business arrangement—to simultaneously fulfill Ewan’s inheritance requirement, settle Juliet’s brother’s debts, and expose the scheming ringleader As they dig deeper, they uncover a far-reaching conspiracy, orchestrated by a clandestine organization manipulating events from behind the scenes. Yet, a single kiss on their wedding day unleashes a deluge of conflicting emotions within each of them, shattering their carefully constructed façade.
This is a breathtaking Regency tale of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Not the ones who stride into ballrooms and steal every gaze, but the ones standing just out of sight, watching, waiting, shouldering more than anyone knows. Those who don’t raise their voice unless absolutely necessary. The ones who keep their word, even when it hurts.
And I’ve always admired heroines who survive storms with their dignity intact. Who may not be the darling of the season, but who possesses something stronger than charm, an inner steadiness, a refusal to let heartbreak define them.
That’s where A Marriage for the Marquess began, with two people who were never supposed to fall in love.
Ewan, Marquess Glenraven, was never meant to marry. A man of restraint and duty, he carries the wounds of war and loss like a second skin. He doesn’t want attention. He doesn’t ask for comfort. He simply does what must be done, regardless of the cost.
Juliet Hayward, by contrast, has already paid a dear price. Her reputation is tarnished after whispers that painted her in an unfair light, her future uncertain, and her sense of self fraying. But beneath all that shame and silence lives a woman of incredible strength. She’s been pushed out of polite society, but she refuses to let herself be erased. There is grace in that kind of quiet defiance. There is power.
Their story begins not with fireworks, but with a contract. A bargain. A necessity. Their marriage is a transaction meant to solve problems, not create intimacy. And yet, intimacy arrives softly, steadily, in the space between words, in the long silences that become a shared comfort rather than a source of tension.
I loved writing the spaces where love begins to grow. Where Juliet finds peace in being seen, not judged… and where Ewan realizes that choosing someone, every day, can be far more powerful than desire alone, that true love doesn’t always blaze. Sometimes, it builds.
One of my favorite moments is when Juliet realizes Ewan isn’t trying to mold her into someone more palatable, but simply sees her as she is, and stays. His presence is never flashy, but it’s unwavering. There’s something deeply romantic about being chosen quietly, without fanfare, again and again.
Another moment I hold closely comes during a tense social event. Juliet is confronted by someone from her past, someone who reminds her, quite cruelly, of the scandal that shadowed her name. She holds her ground, but it’s Ewan who steps in, not with outrage or defense, but with quiet, absolute solidarity. He takes her hand, says nothing, and simply leads her away.
What strikes me about that moment is how much it conveys without saying a word. Ewan doesn’t rescue her. He refuses to let her stand alone. It’s not about control. It’s about honoring her, giving her space to reclaim her voice, while making it clear that she's no longer facing the world unprotected.
This book is for anyone who’s ever longed for something steady and true. For anyone who believes that love can still arrive after loss. For anyone who wants to believe that dignity and devotion are not outdated concepts, but cornerstones of something enduring.
It’s also the beginning of the Barrington’s Brigade series, where quiet courage is every bit as powerful as grand declarations, where heroes protect not only nations, but hearts. And where women like Juliet are not just rescued but restored.
If you love slow-burn romance, second chances, and relationships rooted in trust, I hope you’ll fall in love with A Marriage for the Marquess. I certainly did.
The Puppet Show
“Oh, sir, could you help us, please?” A neatly dressed man called out to him from the puppet stage.
The crowd, which he realized had gathered waiting for the puppet show, turned their attention toward him.
Glenraven scanned the area, unsure if the gentleman was calling out to him. He glanced back at the man.
“Yes, sir, you. You look like a man who would help a lady in distress.” A soft chuckle rippled through the onlookers. “It is a simple script that needs to be read.”
“Forgive me. I would gladly help a lady in distress.” Glenraven glanced at the crowd. “I see some lovely ladies.” He nodded to several ladies not too far from him. “But I do not see any ladies in distress.”
The man operating the puppet stage peeked under the curtain. “My lady. Are you in distress?” he called out.
“Yes, my lord,” came a voice from behind the curtain. As the puppet master opened the curtain, a female puppet was revealed. “I have no Punch.”
Glenraven checked his watch. It was ten minutes past one. “Ne’er let it be said that I didn’t come to a lady’s aid.”
Glenraven made his way to the stage to the crowd’s chuckling and applauding.
“Thank you, my lord. Thank you.” the puppet master whispered to him before turning to address the audience.
“Kind people. I am the puppet master, Percival Thimbleby. You’ve already met Miss Juliet Hayward, who will be our Judy. She has taken her place. This is,” the puppet master turned to Glenraven and waited. He coughed and waited a bit more. “And this is?” He raised his eyebrows at his Punch.
With a good natured smile, he slightly bowed to the audience. “Lord Glenraven at your service.”
“My lord.” The puppet master doffed his cap and bowed to him. “Ladies and Gents, we have a real hero,” he added with a playful eye roll, making everyone laugh. “Lord Glenraven will be playing our Punch. We are fortunate to have found two willing people to help us today. They do not know what has happened in the story so far. It will be very telling how they portray this scene. Be gentle with my actors, my friends. I dare say they are new to this trade. We want to encourage them. Who knows, you may witness the beginning of a most enchanting partnership.”
The puppet master turned to Glenraven. “This way, my lord. While you and your Judy say your lines, I will manage the puppets.”
He guided Glenraven to his spot, handed him his script, and then returned to address the audience.
Glenraven glanced at the paper and burst into laughter, the sound echoing for all to hear.
“Are you all right, my lord?” the puppet master called out.
“Quite. I see you are also a magician. For us mortals, the script is blank.”
The audience laughed along with him, clearly in on the jest.
“Well, my lord. I am a poor puppet master. I only had one script and, as a gallant puppet master, gave it to your Judy as I know you would want me to. After all, you are a gallant hero.”
“Yes, I am.” Glenraven chuckled. “I accept the challenge. You, my friend, may have to suffer the consequences.”
“Very well, my lord. I am certain your quick wit and heroism will come to the fore.” Again, the audience chuckled.
The puppet master turned to the audience.
“I will set the stage. Punch has brought back a treasure and must convince his Judy to let him keep it.” The puppet master paused. “Punch. You can begin whenever you are ready.”
Glenraven took a moment, cleared his throat, and began with a theatrical flair.
“Oh, Judy, my love.” Glenraven’s voice, a warm whiskey baritone, rang out. “I have fought hard and long. I’ve brought back a treasure. It must be protected at all costs.” He paused a heartbeat and continued, his voice a bit lower, “I won’t let anyone take it from us!”
“But Punch, dear, we must be careful.” His Judy’s voice was sweet and slightly breathless. “There are those who covet what we have.”
“Fear not, my sweet Judy.” Glenraven’s Punch declared with theatrical bravado. “I’ll stand against them all, even if it means facing the darkest of contenders.”
He imagined Judy gazing at Punch as she went on, her voice sweet and a touch unsteady, “Then let us be strong together, my Punch. Our love will guide us through.”
Glenraven stared at the curtain separating him from his Judy and put the papers down. He focused all his attention on his unseen partner.
“And when the storm clouds gather,” Punch continued, his tone filled with anticipation, “and the world around us seems uncertain...” A dramatic pause lingered. “We’ll find shelter in each other’s arms, and our hearts will be our fortress. But, Judy, my love,” Punch’s voice softened, “there’s one thing you must know. Our journey won’t always be easy.”
The puppet master skillfully moved Punch to Judy’s side, his puppet arm around her.
“I understand, Punch. I’m prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead.”
“Then, my dear Judy, let us embark on this adventure together, hand in hand.” The puppet master had Punch take Judy’s hand.
“Together, we’ll find the strength to conquer all,” Judy declared.
“And as we travel through life’s mysterious twists and turns...” Punch turned his head and looked around. “We’ll uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows, and they shall not hold us back. Judy, my love,” Punch’s tone deepened with passion, “desire burns within me like an unquenchable fire.”
Judy delicately touched Punch’s face. “And what of commitment, Punch? Will your flames endure, or will they be snuffed out?”
“Fear not, dear Judy,” Even the audience could hear the smile in Punch’s voice, “for desire may kindle our passion, but it’s a commitment that fuels our eternal flame.”
“Then let our love burn brighter than the stars, Punch, for we are bound by both desire and commitment.”
This little game excited Glenraven in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The essence of sincerity he heard in ‘Judy’s’ voice warmed him. The more he spoke, the more the line between him and his Punch blurred.
Absurd. He gave himself a mental shake. This puppet performance is only a game. Judy isn’t the only one capable of playing a believable game.
“So, my love,” Punch said tenderly, “let us dance through the pages and write our own story, bound by fate and love.”
“Forever entwined, together we’ll craft our own destiny. It awaits, Punch, my dearest.” There was a pause. “Forever,” was Judy’s breathless reply.
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The Barrington’s Brigade Series:
A Dilemma for the Duke (Book 2) releases April 19, 2025
Places to find Ruth A. Casie:
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