Francesca: The Silk Merchant's Daughters - Bertrice Small

*** Mobi & Epub***
New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small continues her glorious historical-romance series featuring four sisters in Renaissance Florence who have anything but marriage on their minds….

Giovanni Pietro d’Angelos selected his oldest daughter’s husband, and the marriage proved to be a disaster. He offers to give his next oldest daughter, Francesca, more latitude in choosing a husband than her sister had. But the arrogant beauty has no desire to marry, and she drives every potential suitor away.

The Duke of Terreno Boscoso seeks a wife for his heir, Rafaello, and invites Francesca, along with several other possible brides, to come meet him. Francesca’s parents think it’s a good match, but she refuses to consider it until her father makes her a promise: If he does not suit, you may return. She is therefore shocked when, not long after they meet, Rafaello chooses her as his bride and her parents agree to his proposal—without her consent.

Furious and feeling betrayed, Francesca flees into the woods and takes shelter at an inn. There, she earns her keep as a servant—and meets an unlikely suitor who steals her heart. But the future remains uncertain for the runaway bride, who is still promised to another.

From Author's Site:
Bianca's younger sister has been disappointed by love, and now no man pleases her. She has made her suitors figures of fun that has all of Florence laughing at them. Sent off to a small duchy as a possible bride for the duke's son, Francesca runs off into the forest when chosen rather than marry. Lost, she is rescued by a kindly innkeeper who promises to put her on the road to Florence if she will be her servant for the winter months. Having no choice the proud girl agrees. But honest work is a revelation to Francesca, and while at the inn she falls in love with a huntsman. But the duke's son will have his chosen bride, and no other. Can they find happiness together? And what of the huntman who loves Francesca?