Books like Dance in the Dust by Denise Robins

Lord Esmond Walhurst, the illustrious fifth Earl of Mornbury, has abandoned his reckless lifestyle, only to be forced back into a life of melancholy by tragedy. Grief-stricken, he lingers on the edge of study and ruin, ultimately seeking solitude in a monastery. Yet the Queen, eager to secure a suitable heir, urges him to marry. Esmond's mind turns to Magda, a woman he has barely seen but who captivates him with her beauty and mystique. Partially scarred by a childhood riding accident, Magda turns into a woman of significant allure. Her stepfather, Sir Adam Congrayle, manipulates Esmond into a marriage with Magda without allowing the pair to meet first. On their wedding day, a shocking discovery awaits Esmond—a revelation that will test love itself. When Esmond finally sees Magda, the night of their wedding brings inevitable conflict. The charismatic Earl and the reluctant bride must confront treachery, hidden secrets, and the harsh questions of their hearts, confronting whether a love built on deceit can survive the greatest trials.

First publish date: 1973