ABANDONED. Historical romance man has to marry to collect inheritance, name only marriage to teacher who wants to save school

[Lottie]

Spoilers below
I read this one 10-15 years ago so can only remember a few details.
I believe the story is set in the UK around the turn of 1900s but could be earlier.
Man has to be married by a certain age (? 30) to receive his inheritance. Local teacher needs money to save school so they enter name only marriage of convenience.

Other details I remember
One of the servants becomes pregnant and ends up killing herself by walking into a lake
The teacher is attacked by one of the local tradesmen when she goes to his house about his child attending school and I think he ties her to a chair.

Not much to go on I'm afraid! Any ideas would be great. Thank you

[Kris]

Lottie, please post a new comment if you're still looking for this book - or if you found it.

Lottie (OP) was last active on the site in August 2020. Moving to Abandoned folder.