All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke by Vivienne Lorret & Tiffany Clare & Ashlyn MacNamara

Author:Vivienne Lorret & Tiffany Clare & Ashlyn MacNamara
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

NORTH SPENT THE next hour mingling, just as Aunt Edith had intended. He welcomed nearly all of his guests—­all except two. Thus far, Miss Sutherland and her friend with the pinching slippers remained elusive. However, not so elusive that he was unaware of their placement in the room at any given moment.

Even so, while his mind was diverted, he displayed the proper amount of interest in various topics of conversation. During this time, he heard no fewer than four dozen castigating reports on the state of the roads. At least thirty criticisms regarding the inconvenience of house parties at such a time of year. And yet, an unending list of the accomplishments possessed by the debutantes in attendance.

The reason for the last was that many assumed this party was for the purpose of finding a bride for himself. Whether or not they thought his half-­commoner blood was inferior to theirs, his title made him irresistible. Once he revealed his true purpose—­the final proof of his Marriage Formula—­he would soon prove his worth on his own terms.

His guests would be more than delighted. Well, at least the men would be. They were, after all, the ones put upon by all this Season nonsense and pointless courting rituals.

Two years ago, at the club, North had overheard Basilton and Pomeroy speaking of the expenses and inconveniences of each Season. That was what had first given North the idea for the formula. He knew there had to be a simpler method for a gentleman to find a bride whose person and dowry appealed to him. And once North proved his formula, he would finally earn his Fellowship.

To his mind, the formula and his plan provided a universal benefit to society. Edith, however, was not at all convinced that women would want to be partnered by way of a formula instead of a series of parties and balls. He hoped his aunt’s sentiments were not shared by too many others of her sex. He knew that if women gave his formula a chance, they would soon see the brilliance of his plan.

“Why does Aunt Edith appear so cross with you, cousin?” Beside him, Liam Cavanaugh, Earl of Wolford, plucked a fig tart from the tray and ate it in one bite, leaving time enough to reach for another before the footman could get away.

North glanced over a half dozen heads to Edith. Her narrow-­eyed gaze was already upon him, and it abruptly snapped to another person in the room—­or persons, rather—­before it returned to him. This was Edith’s way of pointing out that he’d neglected to greet Miss Sutherland and her friend.

He offered his aunt a nod of understanding. Then, as his gaze skimmed over the crowd, it lingered for a moment on Miss Sutherland, standing not two strides from him. She was turned away, but only just. From his vantage point, he noted the tension in her jaw and the way her eyes darted around the room, searching. He wondered if there was cause for her restlessness, or if she was forever in motion, unable to be still.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.