Margaret Dunhaven may have been forced into marriage with the sinister vampire lord of Shadowcroft Manor to fulfill a family obligation, but she’s not about to stay trapped there for long. The beastly man doesn’t even have any decent tea leaves in his kitchen!
However, when she realizes she’s not the only one who’s been tricked into this marital union, it’s time to join forces with her unwanted new husband. If they can combine her scholarly skills with his ancient history, then, working together, they might just manage to reclaim her inheritance, break his curse, and find their freedom.
Just so long as they don’t fall in love along the way.
Apparently I forgot to review the first book in the series on the blog… Let me remedy that now!
A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis is the first novella in the series, and it makes a lovely first impression. It is warm, cute, and full of wonderfully quirky characters. A scholarly young lady is forced into marriage with a vampire lord who may not have wanted this union any more than she did. The story takes its time revealing why.
“At least you may take some consolation, madam. As you don’t happen to share my curse, this won’t have to be an eternal union. You’ll be released from it in a mere sixty years or so, leaving me to start the whole inconvenient process over again.”
“What a charming perspective on the matter.” Margaret glowered at him. “Perhaps I’ll choose to poison you instead to win my early release.”
“Not unless you’re willing to poison yourself, as the only source of nourishment you could possibly gift me.” He arched a single, sardonic eyebrow as he turned his gaze pointedly to her bare neck. “Was that intended as a hint, lady wife? Are you offering me a celebratory wedding meal? The experience is pleasurable for both parties, you know.”
“Ugh. You are insufferable!” Snatching up her cup, Margaret gulped down the rest of her tea in one unpalatable rush. Then she gathered up her skirts and stormed out of the room, leaving the half-full pot behind her along with her stubborn new, unwanted, and bloodthirsty partner in life.
Neither of them makes it easy at first. Both are set in their ways, with hard shells shaped by society and by life. Lord Riven is a little like the Beast from the fairy tale, gruff and guarded, needing time to thaw. Margaret has spent too long around people who wanted to use her, so she keeps her defences up and her tongue sharp. She is not built for forced small talk and polite pretending, and would much rather let friendships grow on their own. Watching the two of them lower their guard, bit by bit, was a pure pleasure.
Funnily enough, what brings them together is a shared plan to get out of this marriage. Margaret brings her sharp, scholarly mind. Lord Riven brings centuries of history and an easy way with society. Together they fill each other’s gaps beautifully. Of course, goals have a habit of changing once you truly get to know someone. Along the way there is a mystery close to home and a satisfying final battle against a rather wicked mage.
The romance is slow and sweet in the best old-fashioned way. No modern drama and nothing steamy, just careful courtship where every small step closer feels a little daring. Their world is so different from ours, and that distance makes each tender moment shine.
And the banter! I read this on a summer day of 30°C in my flat, so a mug of hot cocoa was the last thing I wanted. Instead, every sharp exchange between these two went down like a tall glass of iced coffee, cool, sweet and gone too quickly. Margaret, of course, would insist on tea.
“You may now be my husband,” she enunciated tightly, “but I will not be listening to another word you say until I’ve had a proper cup of tea.”
Apparently, even the undead could be made to understand some simple facts of life.
My only gripe is the length. Just as I had settled in with these two, the last page was already waiting. I would have happily spent a whole novel in their company.
A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience is a prickly, tender little romance full of sharp banter, slow sweetness, and a vampire who learns that tea is not optional. Cosy, witty and over far too soon, it is the perfect start to Lady and Lord Riven’s adventures.
