The Arrangement by Mary Balogh

Vincent Hunt, Viscount Darleigh has let his mother and older sisters run his life for the past six years, ever since he was blinded. But them arranging for a wife without even talking to him is the last straw. He takes off to Barton Coombs, the village where he grew up.

The Marches are part of the local gentry who are ecstatic that he is back. After all, their daughter Henrietta is beautiful and of marriageable age (not to mention that she didn't really do well furing her comeout season.) In fact, maybe she'll just trap him and save the trouble of her failing again.

Called the mouse by her own family, Sophia Fry is a poor relation who is fed and clothed by the March family but otherwise derided. Her only comfort is her sketches. She listens to the March scheming and decides to help the viscount whose only sin, after all, is being too kind. For her troubles, she is kicked out of the house.

Vincent hears about it and decides to offer arrangement. He will marry her for an heir and to get his family off his back while she will get safety.

Four stars

This book came out February 17, 2013

Survivors' Club #2

Follows The Suitor (novella, 1.5)

Followed by The Escape

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own