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Chapter One

“Congratulations” The Duke of Devonhall looked down at his charge and gave her a thin smile as he leaned on the corner of his ave when he tried to pretend he was delivering good news instead of bad “I’ve made a match for you”

Abigail Carrington sucked in her breath as she rose from the chair in which she’d been directed to sit She are he’d been standing over her, likely a form of intimidation, meant to make her feel small so that she’d have to concede to his wishes Unlikely… “I beg your pardon?”

“Aeven wider, looking as though itnews?”

Words clogged her throat and she cleared it, as she stared at her brother-in-law Abigail lowered her hands to her hips She’d been told she esture by her three sisters When she was angry, or irritated, or uncertain, her hands landed just below her waist Currently all three e?” She drew in a deep breath, narrowing her gaze at her brother-in-law “Executions are exciting too That doesn’t mean I want to participate in one”

The smile cracked then Broken by his small but definite wince “Abby”

“Abigail,” she corrected holding up a single finger Her father had nicknamed her Abby when she was a child, and her sisters would use the term of endearment when they meant to point out she was immature She didn’t need the reest, the baby who should be told what to do Her sister often accused her father of giving Abigail her way because she was the youngest, not because she had any real grit

“Abigail” He held up his hands in front of him “It’s for the best”

Never mind that she didn’t even know the identity of the mystery suitor on to whom she’d been foisted, she didn’t care “Whose best?” she fired back “Certainly notYou’re tired of taking care of your wife’s younger sister so you’re going to pass me off on soh the air, as though pushing back a curtain Really, shefrom his mouth “Which is he? Is he a fool, or without funds, or does he just have a deplorable reputation so that he’s willing to ht unseen? Does he wish to wed so that hewith every word She knew she’d justwrong with the man Why else would he wish for this match?

“Hed with a bit of a darkness that ell…exciting “A knave? Many would say so Financially challenged? Certainly A rake? Most definitely”

Her breath caught in her throat as his words, echoing her words, bounced off the walls and pummeled her ears She was embarrassed, of course A lady was not supposed to speak with such brazen opinions Especially in the co

At least, she assumed the man behind her had repeated the words because he was her intended Still, she kept her eyes forward rather than turn around and look at him for several reasons

One His voice had done funny things to her insides They were twisting and dancing, and the hair on her arest way But also because she’d already ju correct Still, she had the feeling she ought to slon a bit and figure this entire thing out

She drew in a deep breath, forcing herI feared you reed to a match with a woman you’ve never met”

He chuckled and she clenched her fists to hide the jump in her pulse at the sound “We’ve met, Princess I can assure you, we’ve met”