This HaBO request is from Silver, who is looking for this older historical:
Searching for a book that I read years and years ago (maybe as early as the 80s or 90s). Can’t recall name, author or cover. It was a Regency (paperback).
This is quite a long time ago but thought I might have some luck as the premise was a bit unusual. It was about a couple who are very briefly married (on short acquaintance) before he leaves to fight in the Napoleonic war on the continent. When he returns about 8 months later, she is very pregnant, feeling unattractive and things between them are somewhat awkward. They are practically strangers and the story is about how they re-engage with an audience of friends and family.
If I recall correctly, her mother-in-law was, if not quite cruel, rather overbearing/ strong-willed and the heroine was somewhat intimidated.
Ringing any bells?
Was this a category Regency or full-length historical?
One possibility is one of the quartet of stories Edith Layton wrote in “A Love For All Season”. The summer story fits your details exactly.
Georgette Heyer’s Venetia has something very similar to this as a sub-plot. Venetia’s (new) sister in law arrives at the family home with her overbearing mother, pregnant, while her husband is still fighting.
Try “Married in Haste” by Jane Aiken Hodge. I think written in 1980’s and about marriage of convenience during pennisular wars.
Thanks so much for responding! Can’t wait to start looking into these suggestions. Even if I don’t find exactly what I was looking for I know that I will enjoy the hunt
I thought it was a Regency but can’t be sure. Thanks for all the suggestions, can’t wait to start the hunt!
Hi, Silver. I curious as to who was asking because it wasn’t me. LOL Happy to meet another “sterling” person. 😉
An Infamous Marriage by Susanna Fraser
This is not the HaBO book (no pregnancy) but a similar plot – married in haste (I think the hero’s best friend is the heroine’s 1st husband and on his death bed implores his friend to protect his wife …as one does) and when the H returns from war, they get to know each other, &c. I liked it a lot.