A Bachelor Husband

"A Bachelor Husband" by Ruby M. Ayres is a romance novel written in the early 20th century. The story explores the life of Marie Chester, a young woman deeply infatuated with her adopted brother, Christopher Lawless. As they grow up together, their relationship becomes complicated by social expectations, jealousy, and misunderstandings, particularly after they marry under dubious circumstances tied to a family inheritance. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Marie, who harbors a lifelong affection for Christopher, who she sees as both a protector and an authority figure. Their childhood dynamic shifts as Christopher grows increasingly distant and becomes absorbed in his social life, and Marie yearns for his attention. Following the death of her father, Marie's life becomes intertwined with Christopher when they marry, primarily to secure their inherited wealth, but their relationship from childhood soon reveals itself as one marked by unreciprocated feelings and emotional turmoil. As Marie grapples with Christopher's indifference and her own aspirations for love and companionship, the narrative sets the stage for exploring themes of loyalty, longing, and the complexities of marital life.