Mercy's Tender Heart — Anne Gallagher

When Lady Mercy Wade was seventeen, she fell in love with her uncle's secretary, Lieutenant James Stone, who was home on leave until Christmas. Then he was sent away for one last mission. No man could take his place in her heart, and Mercy vowed to wait for his return. However, she knew desperate mothers would throw their sons at Uncle Henry hoping for a match with the House of Dunbury. So, Mercy concocted a great scheme with her dear friend, Robert Carlton, Viscount Hadley, to keep the young bucks at bay. It worked beautifully, and Mercy and Robert continued the charade over the years, as she waited for her true love to return.Now, at two-and-twenty, her scheme with Robert, the newly appointed Duke of Cantin takes a serious turn when he asks her to marry him. At the same time, a young viscount whom she met at her cousins' wedding has shown a serious interest in her, and if it weren't for her undying affection for James, she would have a decided interest in him. But then, a miracle. Mercy discovers that James is finally coming home.All she has to do is wait a little longer to find out if James reciprocates her feelings. However, if he does not share her affections could she truly marry Robert? She would become a duchess. But there was also the viscount, who was very sweet, and smart, and affable, and everyone admired him.Mercy's tender heart beat with the prospect of finding a love that would last forever.The only question was with which man.