The Duke Meets His Matchmaker by Bianca Blythe

Author:Bianca Blythe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: matchmaker, duke, disability, funny regency romance, beauty and the beast
Publisher: Somerset Park Press
Published: 2020-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

SIX FEET FOUR INCHES of muscular magnificence moved toward them, and Daisy’s mouth dropped open. Water clung to his shirt, clung to his trousers, clung to—

Daisy decided it was best not to examine too closely all the places his wet attire clung to. An odd heat moved between her legs, and her throat dried.

“What happened?” she finally asked, conscious her voice was squeaking, as if her vocal cords were so shocked by his appearance that they’d arranged themselves poorly.

“Most people don’t destroy their boats in the middle of meetings with women,” Mrs. Powell said.

The duke shot Mrs. Powell a disgruntled look. “I wasn’t planning to destroy the boat.”

Daisy hid her smile at the duke’s mournful tone. “I’m so sorry.”

“You should be,” the duke said. “What are you doing here? I was surprised to see you.”

“I only wanted to make certain everything went well,” Daisy said.

“Well, it went horribly.” The duke rolled his gaze over her. “You were spying on me.”

“Watching,” Daisy said, “is a far nicer word.”

“Watching does not properly convey the magnitude of the inappropriateness of your actions.” The duke’s expression remained dark and dour. “Where’s your carriage?”

“We took a hack,” Mrs. Powell chirped.

“And it abandoned you here?”

“We thought your rowing excursion would take more time,” Daisy said.

The duke glowered. “Safety is vital.”

“I’m certain the princess wishes you’d taken that viewpoint.”

The princess’s carriage approached them quickly. The plumes on the princess’s white horses were practically horizontal as they galloped over the dirt road, trampling dust through the air.

“I should—er—give this boat to the boatman,” the duke said. “I suspect he’ll want some money for it.”

“I should have thought of a better idea,” Daisy said apologetically.

“You shouldn’t have distracted me,” the duke growled, then sauntered off, carrying the remnants of the boat.

Daisy and Mrs. Powell waited for him to return. After a doubtless painful conversation with the boat manager, they watched as the duke stepped into his carriage.

The carriage soon stopped before them, and the duke and Mrs. Powell assisted Daisy into it.

The duke’s face remained stormy. Perhaps he was upset the meeting with the princess had not gone better. Perhaps the duke had found her beautiful and fascinating, and all the things men remarked upon in wonder of the women who intrigued them.

“There’ll be other chances to see the princess,” Daisy reassured him.

“I doubt her bodyguard would like that,” the duke grumbled and wrapped his arms against his chest.

Daisy shrugged. “You’re still not a dreadful marriage prospect.”

“How courteous of you.”

“Besides, I have some other women in mind too.”

“Hmph. But no more meetings in boats.”

“That can be managed,” Daisy promised. “I’ll make certain to introduce to you to someone at the next ball.”

The duke shifted in his seat. Water still splattered from his attire. He had a pained expression on his face.

“I’m sorry,” Daisy said. “You must be freezing.”

“I’m fine,” the duke said. “Naturally.”

Mrs. Powell smirked. “Perhaps you should take off your shirt. We wouldn’t want you to freeze.”

“N-nonsense,” the duke sputtered. “That would be indecent. Scandalous.”

For a moment, Daisy imagined the duke without his shirt, without his trousers.

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