No Impediment

When shy Pippa Langley found the injured young Marquess of Merland she had no idea who he was. All she cared about was getting him well. Quentin, as his Lordship was called by his peers, found Pippa's presence comforting. But no thought of romance entered his mind.
Even when his vindictive aunt began to spread nasty rumors about their involvement, Quentin's only thought was to protect the girl's name. He did not know then that she had quite fallen in love with him.
When he asked her to marry him it was out of a sense of duty. And for far too long it was a marriage in name only.
Then he introduced her to his eccentric mother, who took an immediate liking to her When she saw the way things were, she decided to change things. At once!
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UK CORGI Edition

Strictly speaking there was no impediment to a marriage between the orphaned Pippa Langley, and Quentin Cresswell, the fifth Marquess of Merland. Except, as the Dowager Marchioness didn't hesitate to point out, 'marquesses do not marry village maidens...'

Pippa was hardly a village maiden. But although her background was impeccable, and her wealth sufficient, it had to be admitted that she was only the niece of the village doctor. Quentin could most certainly do better for himself...

But Quentin had other ideas, and when the Dowager Marchioness began to meddle she found she had precipitated a most unwelcome situation...

Hero: Quentin Cresswell, Fifth Marquess of Merland
Heroine: Pippa Langley