title: To Marry an Heiress (Daughters of Fortune)
author:  Lorraine Heath 
description: Often in Heath's novels (A Rogue in Texas, etc.), English aristocrats head to the Wild West to find love and make a fresh start, but this time around, an American heiress heads to Victorian London and winds up getting married. Devon Sheridan, a widowed earl and father with a deteriorating estate, seeks to replenish his empty coffers by marrying Georgina Pierce, the plain, stubborn daughter of wealthy American Nathaniel Pierce. In exchange for unlimited access to Nathaniel's funds, Devon agrees to woo Georgina and provide her with the one thing she desires most children. Georgina quickly sees through the charade but marries him to please her father, who dies shortly after the wedding, having gambled away his fortune. With the help of his unconventional wife, however, Devon comes to realize that he can be wealthy without riches. The clash between Georgina's lack of inhibitions and Devon's strict adherence to society's rules serves as a source of comedy, but Devon is an unlikely character for the period despite his English starchiness. Not only does he work his own fields (a "no-no" for the aristocracy), but he fails to make a proper marriage settlement before entering into the union. Still, Heath's vivacious heroine shines, and she plays well off her proud and proper counterpart.<br />Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  LOVE AT ANY PRICE
  
  "Perhaps we can be friends," Lord Ashton began.
  
  Friends? So that was to be his technique, was it? Margaret was pleased that
  she had finally figured him out. She grasped the handle of her picnic basket
  and rose to her feet. "That certainly is a unique approach, Lord Ashton, but
  I'm afraid you are wasting your time."
  
  He stood up, giving her a puzzled look. "Wasting my time?"
  
  "I'm sure there are many heiresses who would fall for such a gambit," she
  said, "but I am not one of them. So if you are looking to marry a fortune, you
  will need to look farther afield. I have no interest in marrying you."
  
  "But all I suggested was friendship."
  
  "After the discourteous way you have behaved toward me, how can you expect us
  to be friends?"
  
  "I like you."
  
  "Indeed? That is a pity, because I don't like you." His amused laughter
  followed her as she walked away.
  
  ![](Laura%20Lee%20Guhrke%20-%20The%20Seducrion_files/image002.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](Laura%20Lee%20Guhrke%20-%