His Official Fiancée (1914) is a romance novel by Berta Ruck. After a decade of publishing stories in literary magazines, Ruck released her first novel to popular acclaim. Adapted for a 1919 silent comedy film starring Vivian Martin and Forrest Stanley, His Official Fiancée is a satirical tale of love, work, and modern life. To his employees, William Waters is a demanding boss who micromanages every aspect of their daily work. Beyond his back, he is known as “Still Waters, ” a reference to his robotic nature and seemingly stagnant love life. When Monica Trant, a typist, is called into his office, she fears the worst. To her surprise, however, Waters makes a strange proposition. “‘I wish to find someone who, to outward appearances, could take the place of my fiancée; could go about with me, stay at my home, and be introduced all round as the girl I meant to marry. She must understand from the very beginning that it was absolutely a matter of business; that the so-called “engagement” would terminate at the end of the year.’” Hesitant at first, Monica is in no position to turn down a better job and agrees to his request. As days turn to weeks, weeks into months, she realizes that her role has given her an opportunity to gain control of a man who has controlled so much of her own life. Dedicated to the running of his business, Waters has left himself completely vulnerable in his life at home. This edition of Berta Ruck’s His Official Fiancée is a classic of British romance literature reimagined for modern readers.
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A propos de l’auteur
Betra Ruck (1878-1978) was a British romance novelist. Born in Punjab, British India, she was raised in a family of eight children. After moving with her parents to Bangor, Wales, Ruck completed her education and embarked on a career as a professional writer. She began submitting stories to magazines in 1905, publishing her first novel, His Official Fiancée, in 1914. Adapted twice for the cinema, her debut began her run as a bestselling romance writer, spanning nearly 60 years and dozens of novels. In 1909, she married fellow writer Oliver Onions, with whom she had two sons. Ruck published her final work in 1972 and lived to the age of 100.