The Loyalty of a Lyon

He's the widowed Marquess of Hawke. She's a wealthy spinster named for Apollo. Will a conniving cousin thwart a matchmaker's plans to see they end up together?

Robert Strathford, Marquess of Hawke, had thought to spend his older years traveling the world with his beloved wife, but when Eleanor dies in a carriage accident, he's left heartbroken-and broke. While he was on the Continent, his man of business made off with most of his fortune, his whereabouts unknown.

After two years of mourning both his wife and his livelihood, he's in need of a matchmaker-his past two attempts to land a wife using the Black Widow of Whitehall failed when he couldn't win the strange games he had to play at The Lyon's Den. He is determined Mrs. Dove-Lyon find him a wealthy wife. Will the third time be the charm?

Spinster Apollonia Alexander, the only daughter of a wealthy trader, has lived her entire life on the move. Her father chose to take her with him when he traveled to various ports and marketplaces, negotiating with ships' captains and export houses for fabrics and trinkets for the British market. When he suddenly dies, she is devastated. Although her inheritance is substantial, her cousin inherits the Alexander Trading Company. Christopher will end up with her and her fortune if she's unable to land a husband-she needs a male relative to access her funds.

Not about to marry her cousin, Apollonia seeks the services of a matchmaker. Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon promises a respectable marriage to a loyal man if she can handle life with a Hawke.

But will he be able to handle her?