ABANDONED. Heroine posing as another man's mistress...confronting her evil brother in the last 100 pages.

[Yazhini]

The hero meets the heroine at another man's place... He's enamoured on first sight but does not take a step as she is the mistress of his friend ( friend ? ... not sure as the man is in his fifties). But actually the heroine poses as his mistress to hide the fact that the man is gay and old in return for his protection....She has a dark past.....and an older brother...( i'm sure of this part but not why she wants his protection.....sorry) .In the middle of the plot the hero and heroine marry and the hero gives her his family crest necklace ( he's an earl i think?) . And their relationship grows in depth ,they fall for each other....She becomes pregnant in the end?...( not sure of that) .Towards the end of the plot the heroine confronts her evil older brother who blackmails her that he would disclose about her past to the hero....and demands for money and jewels. When she runs out of anything to give , as last resort she gives the crest necklace....which the hero's brother (?) retrieves.
There's also a small part i remember which may or may not be the same novel... the heroine like to read books and often goes outdoor to read in the oldman's place which is when the hero first sees her.

[Kris]

Yazhini, around what year did you read this book?

What's the time period and location of this romance?

[Yazhini]

I read it like 3 years ago.And i believe it is regency....

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Yazhini, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Yazhini (OP) was last active on the site in November 2021.