Chapter One
Miss Madeleine Hunt,known by her confidants as Maddie, and daughter of Viscount Tisdale, bit into a lemon cake while bathing in the warmth of the hearth fire. Before her, she enjoyed the sight of two handsome men playing bridge, their host and the “esteemed” Duke of Paisley. Well, esteemed for his title but certainly not for his personality, integrity, or heart—none of which, she was quite sure, he possessed. She hadn’t forgotten his part in almost ending her friend’s engagement because of a wager. And when he laughed, the sound was smooth enough to transfix a room. But it never quite reached his eyes.
Hopefully, all that might change.
Because he was also her future husband.
Possibly. Maybe.
Her mother refused to accept anything less.
And Maddie wanted a husband. Someone to share her life with, but she hadn’t found anyone else to sweep her off her feet and kiss her to set her heart ablaze—not that such a thing could be managed in the dead of winter. No, if only she could manage to convince him of the fact before the end of this engagement party. But really, how hard could it be? She had already drawn up a rather ingenious husband-chasing plan. And there really was just one ingredient for success in such matters.
Dedication.
And Maddie had lots and lots of dedication. Other than that, there were only three steps to catch a husband that she had identified through reading numerous books. And perhaps this time,The Handbook on Seduction and Matters of the Heartmight actually come in handy. But one could never know. It was equal parts advice and nonsense, but at least it gave her something to do.
But she’d borrowed it from Charlene just in case… Maddie was, after all, the only one of her group of four friends who hadn’t caught the wedding fever yet.
This afternoon, the plan looked almost sensible: catch his eye (accidentally, achieved with a frog and a ruined jacket), stir his interest, steal his heart. Three tidy steps the handbook promised—though it had never met a duke who didn’t smile.
“What’s brewing in that head of yours?” Ashley, hostess, and one of Maddie’s best friends and the bride-to-be for the master of this castle, the Earl of Linsey—Thomas to friends—piped up as she joined her in her little cocoon of heat. Fire crackled, adding a peaceful harmony to the scene.
“Step two of my plan.” Maddie reached for another lemon cake. They were her favorite. Bright and fluffy, a delicious combination of sweet and tart flavors.
“If you are really going to proceed with this mad plan,” Ashley plucked the lemony goodness from her fingers, “and it truly is mad, stop stuffing your face with these cakes and throw them at him instead. It’s what he deserves for even being here—uninvited.”
“The duke’s not looking this way.”
“Exactly.”
Maddie glared at her friend but didn’t snatch the cake back. It had only been her fifth cake.
“Well, at least the duke does not suspect your husband-chasing plan after yesterday’s display. And yet, I daresay, my hope is that you’llchase him away and not into matrimony.” She pursed her lips. “I suppose things could have been worse.”
Maddie arched a brow. “How could things have been worse?”
“You could have jumped into his arms.”
Maddie’s face heated. “I would never do such a thing!” Although… the idea did hold some appeal. It might speed things up considerably.
“Just as well,” Ashley said, motioning to a group of ladies surrounding the duke. “You’re not the only one clamoring for his attention.”
“There’s no need for me to clamor. I already caught his attention.”
“Right.” Ashley inclined her head and didn’t even try to hide her disapproval.
“Do not judge. Any attention is good attention.”
“Remind me what books you’ve been reading of late?” Ashley narrowed her eyes.
Maddie clamped her mouth shut. It was the book, of course. They’d all consulted the advice ofThe Handbook on Seduction and Matters of the Heart.
In any event, Maddie still had some pride.
“Romance books,” she said vaguely.
Ashley grinned but didn’t press. Instead, she asked, “Have you heard from your family?”
