The Earl’s Reluctant Artist by Henrietta Harding

Eliza Harwood never chose this marriage. Forced by her brother to a man she has never met, she enters Evermere with nothing except fear and her love for painting. Her husband is cold and unreadable, but every glance from him unsettles her. Has she stepped toward freedom, or into another kind of prison?
Lord Tristan Vale, Earl of Evermere, bears scars of war and the weight of his legacy. Determined to protect his land, he weds out of duty. Yet, Eliza’s quiet courage disarms him, and her beauty tempts him to break his silence. Will he push her away or risk letting her in?
As whispers grow louder and a dangerous scheme threatens Evermere, their bond is tested like never before. Drawn together by danger, Eliza and Tristan must decide if trust is worth the risk. When love and loyalty stand at war, will they rise together or be lost to the darkness forever?

“The Earl’s Reluctant Artist” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.