The Ashworth Bargain

A scarred war hero with a frozen heart. A "sensible" wallflower with a secret fire. One cold-blooded contract is about to ignite the Season's most scandalous flame. Julian Vance, the formidable Duke of Ashworth, is a man of iron and shadows. Returning from the Peninsula with a shattered face and a bankrupt estate, he has no room for love-only for a Duchess who can provide the funds to rebuild his ancestral fortress.
He needs a woman who won't ask for his heart, only his name. Clara Middlethorpe is tired of being the invisible daughter. When the "Beast of Ashworth" proposes a marriage of convenience with a strict "No-Entry" rule for their private lives, she sees an escape from her family's suffocating expectations. She expects a quiet life in a crumbling castle; she doesn't expect the man behind the mask to be her greatest temptation.
In the salt-swept wilds of the North, the rules are meant to be broken. As the "Public Facade" of their perfect marriage begins to crumble, Clara and Julian find themselves entangled in a web of hidden debts, wartime betrayals, and a desire that defies every clause in their contract. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the dangerous cliffs of Northumberland, they must decide if their bargain is worth more than their pride.
Why readers love The Ashworth Bargain: Enemies-to-Lovers Chemistry: Sharp, screwball-style banter meets slow-burn Victorian heat. Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamics: A brooding, wounded Duke and the resilient artist who sees the man beneath the scars. Regency Intrigue: A marriage of convenience thriller featuring secret Ministry investigations and high-stakes social warfare. Emotionally Grounded: A heartwarming story of healing, trust, and finding a home in the most unlikely arms.