The Redemption of a Rogue, стр. 75
“Yes,” he said, drawing out the word with a look of concern on his face. “And?”
“I’ve been doing something of a study of the gentleman and ladies of our acquaintance during that time,” she said.
“I see,” he said. “And what have you determined?”
“I have developed a few theories about matches that end up being successful to both partners.” She smiled. “Not just financially or by linking important families, but by the happiness and affection the couple ultimately develops.”
His mouth twitched. “Are you…in the market for happiness and affection in a match?”
She shook her head. “Gracious no. I had both, you know I did. I am not in a position where I must marry, thanks to the financial protections Andrew put in place for me. I do not think I would ever be tempted to wed again.”
He turned away and paced to the sideboard, where he fiddled with the bottles of liquor lined up along the top. “Then why make a study?”
“For other people,” she burst out.
He stared at her, his expression utterly blank. “I don’t understand.”
She huffed out her breath. “I’m saying that I could successfully match couples who might not have ever thought of each other, if only I could seclude them together in the proper circumstances.”
Cav leaned back. “Play…matchmaker.”
Emily nodded. “Yes. And this is the perfect time of year to do so. The Christmas holidays are just around the corner, and there is romance in every snowflake and cheery red ribbon.”
Cav smiled at her in that indulgent way he sometimes did when she was going on like this. “You should write one of those novels you insist on reading out to me in the winter.”
“Oh, you love them,” she said with a playful scowl. “I intend to have a party out at my estate in Crossfox and invite six ladies—and their chaperones, of course—and six gentlemen. Then I shall see if I can end the party with six very happy couples.”
His eyes went wide and for what felt like an eternity he just stared at her. “A whole party to matchmake these poor unsuspecting people.”
Emily pursed her lips in mild annoyance. “I know you are a resigned bachelor, Cav, and an unrepentant rake, but you act as if I intend to do something horrible to them.”
“No. Just force them into each other’s arms,” Cav muttered. “And when do you propose to do this thing?”
“We will start the day after Christmas. Crossfox is so close to London, it isn’t a difficult journey for any of those I intend to invite. I plan twelve days of merriment.”
“Twelve days,” Cav said. “Like the poem.”
“Exactly.” She clapped her hands together. “I know it doesn’t line up exactly with the real twelve days of Christmas.”
“Yes, one whole day off the true timeline. What will the scholars think?”
She laughed. “They will have to forgive me and say it’s close enough. I have so many plans for each day and the fun that can be had with the poem.”
“Wait, you are proceeding with the theme of the Twelve Days of Christmas?”
She tilted her head. “Of course! What could be more festive?”
“There are a great many birds in that poem, Emily,” he said. “So, so many birds.”
She folded her arms. “And I will manage them all. It will be enchanting.”
He chuckled again. “Of course it will be. With you in charge, how could it be anything but?”
Also by Jess Michaels
The Duke’s By-Blows
The Love of a Libertine
The Heart of a Hellion
The Matter of a Marquess
The Shelley Sisters
A Reluctant Bride
A Reckless Runaway
A Counterfeit Courtesan
The Scandal Sheet
The Return of Lady Jane
Stealing the Duke
Lady No Says Yes
My Fair Viscount
Guarding the Countess
The House of Pleasure
The 1797 Club
The Daring Duke
Her Favorite Duke
The Broken Duke
The Silent Duke
The Duke of Nothing
The Undercover Duke
The Duke of Hearts
The Duke Who Lied
The Duke of Desire
The Last Duke
Seasons
An Affair in Winter
A Spring Deception
One Summer of Surrender
Adored in Autumn
The Wicked Woodleys
Forbidden
Deceived
Tempted
Ruined
Seduced
Fascinated
The Notorious Flynns
The Other Duke
The Scoundrel’s Lover
The Widow Wager
No Gentleman for Georgina
A Marquis for Mary
To see a complete listing of Jess Michaels’ titles, please visit:
http://www.authorjessmichaels.com/books
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Jess Michaels likes geeky stuff, Vanilla Coke Zero, anything coconut, cheese, fluffy cats, smooth cats, any cats, many dogs and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans. She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and lives in the heart of Dallas, TX where she's trying to eat all the amazing food in the city.
When she’s not obsessively checking her steps on Fitbit or trying out new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot alpha males and sassy ladies who do anything but wait to get what they want. She has written for numerous publishers and is now fully indie and loving every moment of it (well, almost every moment).
Jess loves to hear from fans! So please feel free to contact her in any of the following ways (or carrier pigeon):
www.AuthorJessMichaels.com
Email: Jess@AuthorJessMichaels.com
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