Title: Daisy
Author: Linnea Kingsley
Genre: romance, light mm
Summary: Duke Harry Landaugh is grateful to Cordelia VanPein for saving his life and vows to find her a good marriage match. His intended victim: Baron Denis Buckles, a rather foolish yet gentle young man.
—————————
Arriving at Lady Pennywhistle’s ball was something he could have done without. To be the focus of all those avid eyes and know they wanted to snatch away his title of “bachelor.” It was faintly terrifying, and he hated the idea of being hunted.
All the daughters and their mamas wanted to snag a Duke, especially one as rich as he happened to be. And to that end, he could see them circling him like wolves around a wounded antelope.
It was only a matter of time before one of them grew bold enough to leap at him and try to steal a bite.
Harry didn’t feel even remotely like a coward when he made a strategic beeline toward a familiar figure in a frock coat and top hat.
“Save me, Reggie!” he cried dramatically.
She looked at him out of skeptical blue eyes and he was once again struck by her porcelain doll beauty. She didn’t look like one of those bland baby-faced dolls, no. She had the sharply defined features of the much more expensive dolls, the one of a kind dolls that cost a small fortune and usually only belonged to the most discerning of collectors.
Sir Reginald Boot — never Bootsy, that was a moniker saved for her wastrel brother George — arched a finely drawn brow at him. “And what exactly am I to save you from?”
Harry leaned against the wall beside her and waved a hand around the ballroom. “All of them. Save me, Reggie, for they plan to see me miserably wed.”
She snorted. “I honestly do not see the issue you have with the state of matrimony. I have been married to my dear Felicia nigh on fifteen years and I will gladly admit that it has been the perfect union.”
“That’s because she’s your heart’s match. I, on the other hand, want nothing to do with this harpy’s brood. They would happily consume me in my sleep.” He sighed sadly. “My life truly has become a most difficult one.”
Reggie plucked a glass of punch from the tray of a passing server. She curled her dove gray gloved fingers around the delicate handle, holding the cup with a careless kind of grace. “Why do you indulge in this ridiculous behavior? We both know that none of these here can ever force you into any kind of arrangement.” She gave him a sharp look. “What is going on?”
Harry sighed and stood straight. “You know me far too well.”
“Unfortunately,” she drolled.
“As I was saying,” he continued,” I was hoping to beg your assistance in something very near and dear to my heart.”
“And what does Jensen have to do with this?” she asked.
“Oh, you do think that you’re funny.” He rolled his eyes. “No, dear friend, I am attempting a match of my own.”
“Truly?” She sipped her punch, her bright red lipstick leaving no trace on the clear glass rim. “And who might your victims be?”
“Denis Buckles and a delightful young lady of my acquaintance, Cordelia VanPein.” At Reggie’s ‘go on’ look, he shrugged. “She’s just in from the country and staying with her aunt and uncle. All are of gentle breeding, though the state of their finances are rather deplorably nonexistent.”
“And why exactly are you attempting to pair a penniless chit with Buckles?” she asked. “Do you honestly believe you’ll manage to pry him out of the clingy grasp of his dear mama?”
Harry shuddered. “I dread facing that dragon woman, but I honestly feel that Buckles and Cordelia would be the most perfect of matches.”
She turned to face him straight on. “Why is this so important to you?”
He could barely meet the directness of her gaze — very few could. She truly made a formidable figure, which probably explained how she had become the King’s Chief Inspector; no criminal dared face her when she gave them that piercing look.
Finally, he sighed in defeat. “Cordelia is a truly lovely girl and she saved my life when I found myself in a spot of trouble. Her parents have sent her to town to find a suitable match.”
“And you think that match is Buckles?” she asked disbelievingly.
Harry shrugged. “He very well could be. A handsome man of good social standing with a fairly personable nature. It makes him a wonderful catch.”
“But do his title and money make up for the serious lack of intellect?” she asked.
“I’m fairly certain that Cordelia has more than enough for the both of them to share.” Harry grinned cheekily. “Besides, even in the case of a future divorce, she still won’t be wanting for money.”
Reggie laughed. “Oh Harry, there’s our prince of practicality. I was really starting to worry about you.”
You must have been there! Wondering about another Harry B-)
đŸ˜€