by Anita Mills
“I say, Miss Canfield!” Bertie brightened. “Deuced good of you to do it!”
“Juliana, you have traveled miles alone with an unmarried gentleman. If Patrick is to marry Caroline, and you are not to marry Mr. Bascombe, you are quite ruined,” her mother announced flatly.
“Not quite.”
In unison, they turned to the earl, who stood apart surveying the rest of them with a sardonic twist to his sensuous mouth. “Having just been jilted …” He looked over to where Caroline stood within Patrick Danvers’ arms and nodded. “Yes, I forgive you, my dear, and wish you well.” He turned back to face Juliana, his black eyes twinkling and his expression softening measurably. “To repeat, having just been jilted, I find myself available. If Miss Canfield has it in her heart to reform this miserable rake, I should be happy to take her off your hands. I suspect she needs considerable guidance that you are unable to provide.”
“Marcus!” Juliana choked indignantly.
“Well, brat?” His eyes never left her face.
“I should like it excessively.”
Lady Lenore opened her mouth to protest and then shut it. “Well, I daresay she could do worse. At least, sir, you are not a dance master or a penniless half-pay soldier.”
“Exactly.”
“And as for you, Patrick, I can only hope that marriage will put an end to Devil Danvers. The family has suffered quite enough.” Lenore looked hard at her nephew and then sighed. “I might as well tell you, I suppose. Your Uncle Hugh has found a solicitor who believes that if every heir agrees, it is possible to break Vernon’s will. You would receive only one-fifth of the estate, as it is to be divided per stirpes, or some such thing, but—”
“It does not matter, Aunt. As for your first concern”—Patrick smoothed Caro’s hair affectionately—“I think you can safely say the Devil has met his match and is no more.”
About the Author
Anita Mills lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, four children, sister, and seven cats in a restored turn of the century house. A former English and history teacher, she has turned a lifelong passion for both into a writing career.
Connect with Diversion
Connect with us for information on new titles and authors from Diversion Books, free excerpts, special promotions, contests, and more:
@DiversionBooks
www.Facebook.com/DiversionBooks
Diversion Books eNewsletter
www.scribd.com/DiversionBooks
The Fire Series