The Earl’s Reluctant Bride by Karen Lynne

Rather than being forced into marriage, Susan runs, she would rather earn her living scrubbing floors than marry a young despot.
James, the Earl of Malmesbury returning from the war, happens upon a carriage accident and rescues the stranded Susan.
James offers Susan a way out for reasons of his own and convinces her to become his pretend betrothed and throw off her evil pursuer.
Susan accepts the Earl of Malmesbury’s fake betrothal determined to escape as her world falls apart. Can James persuade his reluctant bride to make their marriage real when Susan captures his heart?