Page 90 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

“Look at you, exchanging moon-eyed looks with your husband. I thought you swore an oath never to fall in love?” Sarah teased.

“I think I will be the first to accept that am so not immune to cupid’s arrow,” Arabella relented.

“Well, I can see that marital bliss agrees with you, Sister,” Leonard said.

“She is definitely glowing,” Sarah remarked with a wide smile on her face

“Well, am glad to have found love like you did.” Arabella beamed.

“Your husband told us the truth. I am just disappointed that you felt the need to resort to such intricate deception. I thought we had always accepted you despite all odds. I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell us, Ara,” Leonard said, frowning.

“I’m really sorry, Brother, but considering how it all started, I was ashamed to admit to you that I was willing to have an affair out of wedlock simply because I felt I was never going to experience true love. And when I was facing ruination, Edward stepped up to save me. We thought we could have a marriage of convenience, but we fell in love eventually.

“I confess I was already half in love with him before we got married, but I think I propositioned him in order to get close to him, while denying my feelings. I suspect now that the arrangement would never have worked for me, as I would have fallen deeper in love with him. I am really sorry for lying to all of you and not coming to visit, but I must confess I was still battling with my feelings, and I was really occupied. Do you think you can forgive me?”

“All is forgiven, my darling,” Sarah reassured her. “I think the happiness on your face is reward enough. We are just happy you have found love with your husband. He obviously adores you.”

“Well, that was really heated. I think you have forgotten that some of us are still unmarried, but I confess I am really happy that you are happy,” Madeline commented.

“I think we might be hearing wedding bells soon,” Sarah said, giving her a sly look.

“What are you talking about?” Madeline asked with a seemingly innocent look that was betrayed by her flushed cheeks.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “I have seen you exchanging flirtatious looks with the young Earl of Winston when you thought no one was looking.”

“It is not what it looks like. We could never act on it. I admit that I am attracted to him, but nothing can come out of it. We have not even been introduced,” Madeline argued.

“You can take a leaf from Ara’s book. I am not advocating for a torrid affair, but you could always find a way to start a conversation with a gentleman. You can never tell where it could lead you,” Sarah said.

“Let’s hope that doesn’t lead you to being caught in compromising positions—suffice to say that not all men are as chivralous as Ara’s duke. I would hate to see you ruined, Sister,” Leonard interjected. “It is against the rules to have a discussion with a gentleman who has not had the honor of being introduced to you.”

“Rules are there to be bent if not broken, and there are several ways to kill a rat—if might use that expression. Leo, you could always make the introductions at Lady Ashworth’s ball next week. It is always popular with members of the ton, so Madeline’s Earl is sure to be in attendance,” Sarah suggested, a persuasive look on her face.

Leonard recognized that look. He was about to be roped into her matchmaking schemes.

“I am not even acquainted with the gentleman in question, so how am I supposed to perform the introductions?” he asked, trying to extricate himself from the proverbial noose he could feel tightening around his neck.

He was sure Sarah would have an answer to his question, and he was effectively proven right.

“You can always make his acquaintance. I hear that he visits White’s, of which you are a member. Perhaps after one of your fencing lessons you could invite him over for a drink?”

“What makes you think I am willing to go along with this intricate plot best suited for a play?” Leonard asked in exasperation.

“You would help because you want Madeline’s happiness just like we do, don’t you?” Sarah asked, sill smiling and blinking prettily up at him.

She knew she had him when he looked over at Madeline to see that she had dropped the indifferent mask and was looking expectantly at him. Arabella was giving him her legendary doe-eyed look

“All right,” he groaned. “You win. I will make the acquaintance of the Earl of Winston, but this will be the last time you rope me into one of your harebrained matchmaking schemes.”

“Of course. Thank you, Leo.” Sarah beamed.

Of course, she was happy. He had forgotten her legendary skill of subtle manipulation. If she were a gentleman, she would have had a seat at the House of Lords. He was sure every bill she presented then would have been passed, such were her powers of persuasion.

Seeing the scowl on his face. Sarah smiled brightly at him. “Don’t worry, good brother, when we have Madeline successfully matched, we will find you the perfect match. You too deserve happiness.”

“No, thank you. I am perfectly content with my bachelorhood. I am not looking to be leg shackled in the nearest future,” Leonard said, shaking with revulsion

His sisters burst into uncontrollable laughter while he looked on with a confused expression on his face.

---