Page 20 of Once upon a Summer Night

“I’ve read too many historical romance novels,” Emma admitted with a little sigh. “We Americans do love your dukes.”

Ellie laughed, the sound pushing Colin’s heart into triple time.

He knew he couldn’t be the one to match her. It would damn near kill him.

“Sadly, young, good-looking dukes are hard to find in modern-day England.” She paused for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “But I wouldn’t mind a prince. That is a title I could deal with.”

“I’m afraid the heir apparent is taken, but I’ll see what I can do to find a suitable spare,” Emma replied with a straight face. The two women burst into a fit of giggles.

Colin rolled his eyes. “Celtic Connections is good, but not that good, Miss Carberry. So no titles. What else?”

He didn’t miss the look her aunt was throwing him. He returned the look blandly; he knew her demands, the blackmailing witch, and refused to spend any more of his time on them.

“Well, don’t toss the idea of a title altogether,” Miss Emsworth advised. “What else?”

“I would like someone with intelligence,” she mused.

“How about profession?” Colin asked, regaining control.

She shrugged. “That doesn’t matter. Having a job is important, of course, but not so much what that job is.”

“What about a businessman who travels a lot?” Colin asked.

“Definitely not,” she replied pertly. “What’s the point ofinvesting time and energy into a relationship just to have the other person leave all the time?”

“It’s why I asked,” Colin replied easily. “You initially think you would be all right with a businessman until the realities begin to set in. He’s only available on weekends, or he works the night shift, or a third shift. Are you prepared to change your schedule at your job to accommodate his?”

She scratched her neck uncomfortably. “Oh, I see what you mean. Probably not, at least not at first. I suppose a man with a steady job, who supports himself, works similar hours to my own. Very little business travel.”

“Reasonable,” Colin said calmly, but his mind was in turmoil.What if it were time travel instead of business travel?He forcibly unclenched his jaw.

“In a perfect world, he’d love to read. That’s all I can think of, though. With your stellar reputation, I believe I’m to trust in your superior matching skills.” The last she said with a slightly raised, challenging eyebrow towards Colin.

“We are far from a perfect world.” He loosened his still-tight jaw, then continued, “This isn’t magic. It’s understanding the client, and what the goals of the relationship will be.”

She listened as he went over what to expect, nodding where appropriate without hearing the words. When he took a breath, she took the opportunity to ask, “Who will be matching me?”

Emma had her publicity smile on. “Once we get to know you a little better, we’ll present you with your matchmaker.”

“Mr. O’Rourke matches her,” Miss Emsworth answered sharply. She cut him a searing glance. “Thatisthe deal, Mr. O’Rourke. It’s well known that you launched this company with your cousin, and that the two of you were a formidable force. Now, as it’s just you, your matches remain among the most successful in the company’s history.”

He’d expected Miss Emsworth to have done her homework on him.

He simply hadn’t expected Eleanor.

“I will discuss it with my team,” he replied evenly.

“Absolutely not. You, or no one. That was the deal, and I’ll not have you reneging on it, Mr. O’Rourke.” She pulled her purse from the back of her chair and stood suddenly.

“Perhaps I might accompany you outside for a breath of fresh air,” Reilly said, standing with a slight bow. “I find myself eager to know what made your marriage such a strong one. Your late husband was a very respected man. Perhaps you can tell me about him? He was a scientist, correct?”

Miss Emsworth wasn’t immune to O’Malley’s charms; Colin could see her waver slightly in her defiant stance. She glanced at her niece. “Would you care to come outside, Ellie?”

The thoughtful look on her face worried Colin. She inclined her head. “No, thank you. I’ll stay and finish here, then we’ll meet up later?”

Reilly managed to get Miss Emsworth out of the room, and when the door clicked closed, Ellie rolled her eyes.

“She’s really looking to sink you,” she snorted.

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