The Icy Earl's Sweet

Tricked into a contract marriage, a wounded heroine discovers her feared husband is her greatest protector.

Elara Voss bears scars from a childhood rescue that left her fragile. Her step-mother exploits this vulnerability, engineering a union with Dominic Ashford, a newly titled earl whispered to have doomed his previous wives. The arrangement is explicitly a child-bearing contract, devoid of affection. Contrary to his grim reputation, Dominic shields Elara from further harm and actively encourages her to reclaim her self-worth. As his icy demeanor thaws, their bond deepens from cold obligation into genuine partnership, with the earl standing firmly beside her against lingering family schemes.

• historical
• romance
• contract marriage

1. Step-mother arranges marriage for Elara Voss
2. Dominic Ashford rumored as cursed wife-killer
3. Union begins as child-bearing contract

Readers who enjoy a guarded aristocrat becoming a devoted protector for a wounded heroine.