“Is that a promise?” Arabella scored her nails across the nape of his neck and nibbled the curve of his jaw. “Or do you require additional encouragement?”
“You are in a mood, and I like it.” He bent his head and suckled her lips. “What got into you?”
“Well, I was thinking of Lord Michael.” That was like a splash of cold water, and he eased back in his chair. “I rather fancy the idea of finding his true love, given the success of our union. Indeed, I want to see all the Mad Matchmakers similarly situated.”
“Then why do I detect a note of hesitation?” Anthony squeezed her derrière, and she squirmed. “Has he spoken to you about a possible candidate? Has a particular lady caught his eye?”
“No, he has said nothing, and it’s not that.” Once again, she reclined against his chest and sighed. “Please, don’t be angry with me, but I suspect one of your friends presents far greater need at this time, although he would never admit it. Therein is where we should focus our efforts.”
“Someone who helped us, when we most needed him.” He smiled when she shuffled to meet his gaze. “While they all deserve love, and I vow to find each one of my fellow soldiers a wife, this particular individual is in immediate peril, and we must act, now, if we are to save him.”
“Do you know what haunts him? He often rattled the rooftops, late at night, while guarding me in your absence.” Arabella framed his face with her delicate hands. “Have you any idea what chases him in the wee hours?”
“Aye, but it is not my story to tell, because he is unaware that I know the truth.” And it was a tragic tale, but he would take his friend’s story to the grave. “So, have you a target bride, in mind?”
“I do.” With a mischievous grin, she nodded. “And I believe she could be his salvation, with his cooperation.”
“I wager an afternoon of delight that I can guess your mark.” Anthony waggled his brows and stood, carrying her with him. He extended his arm, which she accepted. “As for his cooperation, I predict his courtship will be about as easy as peeling a turtle.”
Together, they strolled from the study and down the hall. In the foyer, they turned right and ascended the stairs. At the landing, they continued through the gallery to their private quarters. When they neared the double-doored entry, Arabella inclined her head.
“Then we are agreed?” she asked.
“Indubitably.”
“Our next Mad Matchmaker to marry will be…”
Anthony paused to usher his delectable bride into their domain, and he handed her over the threshold. In their sitting room, where they often took their meals, where they discussed their future, where they shared a book, and where he made love to her in every conceivable position and place, she stopped and squared her shoulders. He mimicked her stance and caught her stare. In unison, they smiled and said, “Beaulieu.”
About the Author
A proud Latina, USA Today bestselling, Amazon All-Star author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller, but it was a weeklong vacation to Bethany Beach, Delaware that forever changed her life. The little house her parents rented had a collection of books by Kathleen Woodiwiss, which exposed Barbara to the world of romance, and Shanna remains a personal favorite.
Barbara writes heartfelt historical romances that feature not so perfect heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. And she prefers feisty but smart heroines who sometimes save the hero before they find their happily ever after.
Barbara is a disabled-in-the-line-of-duty retired police officer. She earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
Connect with Barbara Devlin at BarbaraDevlin.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, The Knightly News.
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