Lady Madeleine decides to take matters into her own hands after her father demands she stop her charity work in the slums. Madeleine appreciates her prosperous life, but aiding the poor widows and orphans gives her life meaning. In order to escape her father's dictates, Madeleine decides to elope with a man she can easily control. It's such a simple plan -- what could go wrong? When Maddy meets up with her fiancé, her cousin Ashley jumps in the carriage refusing to allow her to go to Gretna Green. Then the carriage is overtaken by the infamous Blackthorne brothers on the run.

Jack, the Marquess of Blackthorne, spends most of his time rescuing his brother, Nicholas, from trouble. In Nicholas' latest escapade, he's insulted their enemy, the ruthless Black Duke. After failing to resolve the issue diplomatically, Jack and Nicholas flee through London with the duke and his thugs close behind. Inadvertently, they steal a carriage with Lord Castleigh's daughter inside. Now, not only do they have a demented duke after them, but an irate father, as well.

Trying to outrun the mob following them, Jack and Nicholas each take one of the ladies and split up. Jack and Maddy fall into one calamity after another as they try to escape. On their own without any money, Jack and Maddy use their wits and are surprised at the awakening passion between them.

Ms. Galen has penned an adventurous romp filled with hilarious mishaps. She's paired comedy with a wealth of tenderness and sensuality. After this entertaining story, readers will be clamoring for Ashley's story in the next Misadventures in Matrimony book.

Book Summary

Tired of being wooed for her dowry, Lady Madeleine Castleigh has given up on finding true love. But on her way to elope with a boring but honorable philanthropist, her carriage is seized by a nobleman on the run. Maddie is alarmed, especially when she catches sight of Jack Martingale, Marquess of Blackthorne, exactly the sort of wickedly attractive man she's sworn to avoid.

Chased by a powerful duke with revenge on his mind and a private army in tow, Jack has no choice but to confiscate Madeleine's carriage. He promises to take his leave once they arrive at the wedding in Gretna Green but doesn't count on his growing desire for the blue-eyed beauty. When the unexpected appearance of Maddie's father and the mistakes of a drunken priest alter everyone's plans, Maddie is furious—until she discovers that Blackthorne's kisses arouse a passion in her she'd long ago stopped praying for.