How to Catch an Heiress (The Marriage Maker Book 4), page 6
Chastity nodded. “With all of us married, he is certain to have a male heir at some point.”
“He may very well have a male heir of his own.”
She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“There is a certain widow who has taken an interest in the duke.”
Chastity stared. “What? Who is she? Oh, I imagine she is after his title. I must meet this woman. How long has this been going on?”
He laughed. “Now, who is it that likes dabbling in others’ lives?”
“This isn’t dabbling,” she shot back. “My father is a man, and men are easily swayed by a pretty face. If she is a fortune hunter—”
“I assure you, she is no fortune hunter.”
Then she understood. “My God, you found him a match?” She couldn’t believe it.
“I only introduced them,” he said. “Your father did the rest.”
Chastity shifted her attention to her father. He hadn’t said a word. “I must meet her.”
“In due time, Chastity. For now, give them a chance to get to know one another.”
“Are you saying he truly might remarry?” she demanded.
“Why not? He isn’t old.”
“You can’t be in favor of him marrying. If he has a son, you won’t become the Duke of Roxburgh.”
He locked eyes with her. “I never planned on becoming his heir.”
“But that’s why you married me.”
He angled his head. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Well—what else could it be?”
He held her gaze. “Love.”
“Love? You never mentioned love before.”
“You wouldn’t have believed me.”
He was right.
“Now, I have no reason to lie,” he said.
She didn’t know what to say.
“Surely, I haven’t left you speechless?” Stirling teased. “This is a rarity. I tell you what, why don’t you just admit you love me and be done with it?”
“Love you?” she whispered.
He gave a single nod. “It’s all right, sweetheart. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Tell you what, I’ll say it first.”
Her heart began to pound hard.
He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Eyes locked with hers, he brushed his mouth against her knuckles, then whispered, “I love you.”
She stared.
“It’s all right,” he said. “I said it first. You’re in no danger of losing your heart to a man who hasn’t already lost his to you.”
“You’re insane,” she whispered.
“That is a well-established fact,” he said. “But it is not what we are discussing. Can you deny that you love me?”
She shook her head and he flashed a heart-stopping smile.
“Good.”
He waited.
Did she love him? She did. And she said so.
###
The other Marriage Maker Books
Worth of a Lady Book One
The Marriage Wager Book Two
A Lady by Chance Book
From the Authors
We hope you enjoyed the Marriage Maker stories. Keep an eye out for Stirling. He can’t resist making matches, so you’ll be seeing him again in the near future.
Sue-Ellen and Tarah
Lions of the Black Isle
Four brothers determined to restore their family’s glory… Four women destined to tame the Lions of the Black Isle… Four brand-new Highland tales from USA Today and bestselling authors Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Tarah Scott.
The Stolen Bride Book One
The Convenient Bride Book Two
The Forbidden Bride Book Three
The Wicked Bride Book Four
About the Authors
USA Today and Internationally bestselling authors Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Tarah Scott have more in common than friendship. For many years, they’ve both enjoyed spending their working hours in a world of romance and adventure, bringing handsome Highlanders and their ladies to life. Now they’ve joined pens, deciding that when it comes to happily-ever-afters, two writers can stir up even more danger and desire for the characters they love.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder, How to Catch an Heiress (The Marriage Maker Book 4)
