Two people, who have nothing in common, are thrown together due to a series of circumstances and are forced to wed. What would you call that? In romance we call it a marriage of convenience; others might call it a bit contrived. And yet, romance readers (me included) have been devouring these stories for decades. This story line is not just for books; Hollywood also finds these stories irresistible. What is it about this plot line that keeps readers and movie goers coming back for more? We continue to turn the pages and put money down to see two people who despise each other go from hatred to passion? After racking my head against the desk to find the answer, and after my head stopped spinning, I finally had a clear thought. Perhaps it’s that sudden realization between the hero and heroine that something that wasn’t meant to be – is. It’s in that moment; you can almost feel the magic of love. I get that squiggly wiggly feeling all over just thinking about it, and that’s why this plot line works for me.
In Mary Jo Putney’s “The Bargain” Lady Jocelyn Kendal must marry before her 25th birthday or lose her inheritance. Being tied down is the last thing Lady Jocelyn wants, so she chooses a dying soldier who needs to obtain financial security for his sister. It’s simple; he’s dying so she only has to be tied down for a short while. But marriages of convenience are never simple and Jocelyn’s marriage soon turns into an inconvenience when her dying husband is suddenly very much alive. I’ve enjoyed many of Mary Jo Putney’s books and “The Bargain “is a delight. A dying soldier who doesn’t die? A headstrong wealthy woman who’s about to lose her money? Wouldn’t you take the life raft even if it came in the form of a marriage you didn’t want? Yeah, see – the plot line works.
Another author who does the marriage of convenience really well is one of my top ten historical authors, Mary Balogh. In “Slightly Married,” the first book in her Bedwyn series, Aidan Bedwyn must tell Eve Morris that her brother has died in the war. Aidan’s death bed promise was to take care of Eve, and he must marry her to fulfill that promise. Aidan and Eve are opposites, his family has rigid notions about matrimony and her family is a house filled with orphans and an aunt who needs her support. Like I said – opposites. It makes for that special moment when the two finally realize its – ahhh, slightly delicious being married to each other. This is a wonderful book that sets up the entire series and makes you fall in love with the Bedwyn family. If you haven’t read this series – you’ve got a lot of good reading ahead of you.
Books aren’t the only place you’ll find this plot device. Remember “Green Card” with Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu when he was at the height of his fame with American Audiences? So French, so sexy…oh, la, la. She wants to keep her rent controlled apartment in Manhattan. And who wouldn’t? Let’s just say a rent controlled apartment is like owning a piece of paradise, you would simply do anything to keep it – and she does. She marries Gerard Depardieu, a French composer who wants to work in America, but needs his green card… oh so convenient – uh oh, so married. Of course they absolutely despise each other, but that’s half the fun in a romantic comedy/marriage of convenience. We want to see how the feelings of pure hatred – turn into pure love. Ah, joie de vivre.
And lastly there’s Sandra Bullock in "The Proposal." I wasn’t so hot on this film when it was released. But, I’ve seen it as a rental – and in viewing it the second time I found it totally cute, cute, cute, and then romantic. She’s the boss everyone hates, including her male assistant. When it’s discovered that her visa to stay in the U.S. is being revoked she proposes to her assistant and forces him into a wedding. The witch boss and the sexy male assistant, a strange combination, but by the end of the film you’re rooting for them to get together and live happily ever after.
For me a marriage of convenience is a totally satisfying plot line. What about you, do you have a favorite?
Maria Lokken is an avid romance reader and an award winning television producer
