Bride in Waiting — Susan Barrie

He was almost a stranger to her.

April's first job in Spain came to a rather dramatic end, leaving her stranded in Madrid without money. So she could hardly refuse Don Carlos's offer of help. But when he autocratically decided to make April his bride, April felt trapped in a situation beyond her control.

Don Carlos de Formera y Santos was, April thought, one of the most eligible men in the whole of Spain. He had everything -- good looks, breeding, money, impeccable manners, charm. And as if that were not enough, he also possessed a beautiful young ward, Constancia, for whom he had the greatest affection, and who was half in love with Don Carlos herself.

So why, in these circumstances, should Carlos propose to April herself -- a very ordinary English girl with nothing special to commend her, and whom he had only known for a few days? He said it was because, unwittingly, she had put herself and him in a compromising position -- but surely that was a little far-fetched, even in so correct a country as Spain?

His family was aghast at his interest in her, especially his lovely young ward, who would clearly give anything to marry him. But all the same, however odd the situation seemed, April found herself curiously reluctant to back out of it!