How the Rake Tempted the Lady (Matchmaking Madness Book 3) Read online

  How the Rake Tempted the Lady

  Matchmaking Madness, Volume 3

  Laura A. Barnes

  Published by Laura A. Barnes, 2021.

  Copyright © 2021 by Laura A. Barnes

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

  First Printing: 2021

  Laura A. Barnes

  www.lauraabarnes.com

  Cover Art by Cheeky Covers

  Editor: Telltail Editing

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Author Laura A. Barnes

  Desire other books to read by Laura A. Barnes

  To: Everyone who believes in the

  magic of love at first sight.

  Prologue

  Lucas Gray stormed inside his father’s study after Lord Ralston left. Lady Forrester, his Aunt Susanna, followed on his heels. While Ralston held his appointment with his father, the Duke of Colebourne, Lucas had paced the hallway. With each step he took, he’d grown more agitated with his father for continuing with his schemes to control who his cousins made for matches.

  “Are you still hell-bent on this matchmaking madness?” Lucas demanded, prowling back and forth across the front of the desk.

  The duke laughed at his agitated son. His sister-in-law smiled in amusement behind Lucas. His son had made his position clear on Colebourne’s matchmaking attempts. At least he had Susanna for a co-conspirator. They worked perfectly together. He knew his late wife, Olivia, would have found the same joy in watching the girls fall in love as he had. If they needed an extra push, far be it for him not to guide them toward their happiness.

  “It is not madness, my boy, to see your family settled.”

  Lucas paused, facing his father. “I think you have interfered enough. Look at what poor Evelyn had to endure because of your interference.”

  Colebourne nodded. “It built her character and gave her the confidence she needed for her role as a countess.”

  “You cannot deny the love between Evelyn and Reese. He adores her.” Aunt Susanna sighed.

  Lucas rolled his eyes. “Now. But not when they first wed. If you had not played games with their courtship, Evelyn and Reese would never have suffered a turbulent start to their marriage.”

  “Yes, but look at Charlotte and Jasper. They make a lovely couple.” Aunt Susanna smiled smugly.

  Lucas threw his hands in the air and continued with his pacing. “Scandal tainted each of their unions. No proper gentleman will take a second look upon Jacqueline and Gemma if a single whiff of their ruinations came to light.”

  “Perhaps a proper gentleman is not what Jacqueline and Gemma need.” Colebourne arched his brow.

  Lucas shook his head in frustration. “That comment alone signifies your madness.”

  Colebourne laughed. “You forgot to mention Abigail in your speech.”

  “We have had this discussion before, Father. You cannot present Abigail to society or to the same gentlemen as Jacqueline and Gemma.”

  “Nonsense!” cried Susanna. “Why ever not?”

  Lucas swung his gaze of disbelief on his aunt. “Not you too?”

  “It does not matter. I have already chosen a gentleman for Abigail, and he is most proper. Too proper if you ask for my opinion,” muttered Colebourne.

  “You have chosen a suitor for Abigail. Who?” growled Lucas.

  “Abigail is none of your concern. The only lady you need to worry over is Lady Selina, your betrothed.”

  “Who is he?” Lucas gritted his teeth.

  The duke sat forward in his chair. “The only information I will divulge is that the gentleman comes from an upstanding family. He has shown an interest in our sweet Abigail. I greatly approve of this gentleman. However, it is not their time yet, but soon. For now, Abigail needs to enjoy the opportunity of a season. To form friendships, dance with a bevy of gentlemen, dress in lovely gowns, and perhaps steal a kiss or two. When I deem the moment right, I will make the introductions and allow the courtship to proceed, but not until then.”

  Lucas placed his fists on the duke’s desk. “She will not agree to this plan of yours. Abigail has already stated that after Jacqueline and Gemma get married, she plans to seek employment. While I shall stop that from happening, I will not allow you to parade her around the ton for them to shun her. Do you not have a care for her feelings?”

  “No one will dare shun any ward of mine,” said Colebourne confidently.

  “No, not in plain sight. But they will whisper their dislike.” Lucas turned to his aunt. “Tell him.”

  “Tell him what?” asked Susanna, tilting her head.

  “That you do not agree with him.”

  Susanna shrugged. “But I do. I think his plan is marvelous. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with the gentleman Colebourne approves of for Abigail. They will make a splendid couple.”

  “You both are mad.” Lucas kept shaking his head, trying to grasp how he couldn’t make them see reason.

  Colebourne and Susanna laughed, which only annoyed Lucas more. They were two peas in a pod. Aunt Susanna agreed with his father’s mischief and came up with her own ideas. When they plotted together, their devious minds were no match for anyone.

  “I will inform Abigail of your plans,” threatened Lucas.

  “If you feel that is in her best interest, we cannot stop you,” said Colebourne.

  Lucas stormed from the room, the same way he entered. Colebourne’s cunning smile found Susanna’s. They both chuckled their amusement at his expense.

  “He will inform Abigail of our plans,” warned Susanna.

  Colebourne rubbed his hands in glee. “That is what I am hoping for. It is all part of my plan to provoke Abigail into joining Jacqueline and Gemma for the season. My son will aggravate her so much, she will attempt to prove him wrong. Oh, I can see her at the balls now. Every gentleman will line up to ask her to dance.”

  “In which it will provoke Lucas into a jealous rage.” Susanna snickered.

  “Exactly. Then the rest of the plan will fall into place.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Do you not mean that the pieces in play will fall into a jumbled mess?”

  Colebourne grinned. “Precisely. Then the other players will have to pick up those pieces and play them to the best of their skills.”

  “You are a very devious opponent, Your Grace.”

  Colebourne relaxed back in the chair. “One must be devious to achieve victory.”

  “May I inquire why you did not force the issue with Lady Selina? You cannot put off her father for much longer.”

  Colebourne drummed his fingers on his desk. “Once Lucas informs Abigail of our discussion and he blunders his attempts to spare her feelings, he will set Abigail
in a tiff. That is when I will inform Lucas of the settlement discussion and the date I have chosen for his wedding. Then Lucas will find himself too busy to make amends.”

  Susanna twisted her lips. “You do not plan for this union to happen, do you?”

  “No. That is where I will need your assistance once again.”

  “Anything,” came Susanna’s immediate answer.

  “I need you to extend an invitation to Duncan. My sources inform me that a scandal surrounds him in Edinburgh. One that, if Duncan does not flee, he will find himself wed to a lass pregnant with another man’s child.” Colebourne tapped at a letter in front of him.

  “Which lass?” Susanna clutched at her pearls.

  “She is not important. Duncan arriving in London within the next few weeks is.”

  Susanna’s pensive stare at Colebourne would make most men squirm. However, Colebourne knew her weapons and her weaknesses. Her son, Duncan, was the weakest link in her defense.

  “I will extend the invitation today.”

  Colebourne nodded. “Excellent. I will have a room prepared.”

  “No. He will stay at our home.”

  “Nonsense. Why open your townhome when mine has more than enough adequate rooms?” Colebourne watched as Susanna contemplated his question.

  For his plan to succeed, he needed Duncan underfoot. Because if he knew his nephew as well as he did, then Duncan wouldn’t be able to resist the lovely lady who would join her father in finalizing the marriage settlement.

  Susanna’s eyes narrowed. “Very well. Do not imagine you are sneaky enough that I do not know the reason you request my son’s visit.”

  Colebourne gave her an innocent look. “I hold no clue to your accusation.”

  “Yes, keep telling yourself that, Colebourne.”

  Colebourne smiled. “I could get nothing past Olivia either.”

  “Our mother taught us well.” Susanna smirked.

  Colebourne laughed. “That she did.”

  “I assume from Lord Ralston’s visit, Gemma is next?”

  “Yes, starting tomorrow night at the Calderwood Ball.”

  Susanna rose from the chair. “Why the rush?”

  “Worthington’s brother, Graham, has taken an interest in Gemma. And I suspect Gemma returns the same fascination.” Colebourne rose and walked Susanna to the door.

  “Yes, I noticed their flirtation at dinner last week.”

  “Then you understand the need for our immediate matchmaking attempt?” asked Colebourne

  “Yes.”

  Chapter One

  “Is he not the most divine?” Gemma Holbrooke sighed to her new friend, Noel Worthington.

  “You must stop drooling over my brother. It is most disturbing to listen to,” teased Noel.

  Gemma turned her head to smirk. “Well, I only speak the truth. Not only divine, but most charming too.”

  “I will accept the next dance from whoever asks just to get away from your infatuation. You made a promise not to speak of Graham this evening,” threatened Noel in a teasing tone.

  Gemma heaved a sigh. “I know. But look at him, he is most dreamy. With those blond locks and his bedroom eyes. They are smokey and filled with hidden secrets. I am only curious ...”

  “Akh,” Noel growled, her hands clamping over her ears.

  Gemma laughed. “I promise I will stop this instance. No more.”

  “You promise?” asked Noel.

  “Well, for this evening anyhow.” Gemma winked.

  Noel shook her head at Gemma. It didn’t matter anyway. Gemma held no interest in Graham Worthington, other than she enjoyed flirting with him. He was called Worth by his friends. She found pleasure when gentlemen paid attention to her, and with Worth, she didn’t have to worry about him wanting anything more than a little fun. She had caught Uncle Theo’s frown over their friendship. Not to mention Worth’s brother, Lord Worthington, had warned him away. Evelyn, Gemma’s cousin, had married Lord Worthington, and she told Gemma that Worthington didn’t approve of a match between her and Worth. Still, she enjoyed herself too much to stop.

  “If you must moon over someone, why not him?” With her fan, Noel discreetly indicated the gentleman standing in the ballroom entry.

  Gemma’s gaze followed Noel’s train of thought. Oh, but her friend had no clue how much Gemma mooned over Lord Ralston already. Gemma had made a fool of herself with the gentleman during her uncle’s house party. She had thrown herself at the lord, only for him to rebuff her every time she approached him. The last night of the house party, she had followed Lord Ralston into the gardens. When he realized they were alone, he’d ordered her back inside. However, her determination to tempt Lord Ralston to kiss her had only caused him to quicken his pace and return to the ball to lose himself in the crowd. Gemma had searched everywhere, but she hadn’t been able to find him. During breakfast the next morning, Gemma learned that Lord Ralston had left during the night.

  Barrett Ralston caused Gemma’s insides to quiver with longing. Even staring at him now set her on edge.

  Gemma’s disappointment had lingered until Graham Worthington came into her life, making it bright again. Even though Worth was a dear, Lord Ralston was a temptation she refused to resist. She wondered if she could convince Worth to help her win Lord Ralston’s favor. She knew Worth wasn’t looking for a relationship. No, he enjoyed his bachelor ways too much to tie himself down. If Worth agreed to help her, then she could fool Uncle Theo into believing her interests lie elsewhere.

  Uncle Theo may not like Gemma and Worth’s flirtation, but he insisted Gemma stay away from Lord Ralston. It wasn’t so much of a declaration of Ralston’s unworthiness, but he forbade it. When Uncle Theo forbade anything, it was his final word. Usually, she only had to sweet-talk Uncle Theo, and he relented. But once he issued the word forbidden, there was no argument for debate. His decision stayed final.

  “I already do. The man is in my dreams every night while I sleep.” Gemma sighed.

  “Then why do you flirt with my brother? Everyone describes your behavior as smitten.”

  Gemma twisted her lips. “Because Uncle Theo has forbidden me to even talk to Lord Ralston.”

  Noel gasped. “Oh, that is a shame.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I would not mind listening to you worship over him. He is every girl’s wish.” Noel sighed much like Gemma had.

  Gemma didn’t disagree with her friend. Lord Ralston made every innocent maiden’s thoughts border on scandalous. At least her musings did. Even now as she took in his appearance, she dreamed of him wrapping her in his embrace and ravishing her lips. She wanted to run her fingers through Ralston’s dark hair that hung near his collar, stare into his mysterious eyes the color of a grey storm brewing, and listen to his devil-may-care attitude. Every word out of his mouth whispered of indecent temptations. He tried shocking Gemma, but he only made her curious to learn if he spoke the truth of his exploits.

  “Are Lord Ralston and Worth friends?” Gemma asked, watching the two gentlemen in a discussion.

  Noel shrugged. “I would not know. Graham never brings his friends around. Reese does not approve of the lot and does not allow them anywhere near us girls. Mama approves of Reese’s decision, and Evelyn is just as protective.”

  “Mmm, that is a shame. I had hoped to learn more about Lord Ralston.” Gemma’s gaze stayed focused on the two debonair gentlemen.

  “Are you going to disobey Colebourne’s demand?” asked Noel.

  Gemma turned with a dreamy expression. “Would you if Worthington kept you from the one you love?”

  “You love Lord Ralston?” Noel whispered.

  “Yes.” Gemma smiled

  “Oh, how romantic! Was it love at first sight?”

  “Yes.” Gemma sighed, remembering the first time she saw Lord Ralston.

  Noel shook her head. “No, I would not follow the rules either. In fact, since this is all in the name of love, I shall help you any way I can.”

/>   Gemma clutched Noel’s hands. “You would do that for me?”

  Noel nodded, smiling. “Yes.”

  Gemma squeezed Noel’s hands in thanks. Gemma had hoped Abigail would have been the one to offer to help her. But Abigail didn’t trust Lord Ralston and agreed with Uncle Theo on staying away from the scoundrel. It didn’t help that her cousin Charlotte agreed as well after sitting next to him at dinner one night during the house party.

  Abigail was like a sister to her, even though Abigail’s mother had been Gemma’s mother’s maid. But because both of their mothers died in a tragic accident, they’d grown close like sisters. All because of Uncle Theo. He took Abigail in with Gemma and her cousins when their parents died and treated Abigail as one of them. However, her friend remained stubborn about where her place in society was.

  Abigail refused to attend the balls and only accepted the invitations where she presented herself as a companion. It was all preposterous. In time, Gemma hoped they could convince her to partake in the season. Gemma’s greatest wish was for them to find their soul mates together. However, she feared Abigail had already found hers. And that gentleman was beyond her reach. Not because of his standing in society, but because his father had decided his betrothal when he was but a small lad in leading strings.

  “Gemma?” Noel asked.

  “Mmm,” Gemma murmured, lost in thought.

  “Does Lord Ralston know of your uncle’s demands?”

  “I am not sure. Why?”

  Noel’s eyes widened. “Because he is walking towards us, and he has not taken his eyes off of you since he entered the ballroom.”

  Gemma glanced up to see Ralston striding toward them, his intentions clear. Once he reached them, any words she might have spoken got stuck in her throat at the storm brewing in his eyes. Ralston being so near affected Gemma so strongly that she didn’t hear what he asked. Noel nudged her elbow, her head tilting toward Ralston, who stood waiting for Gemma’s answer.

  “Yes,” she squeaked.

  “Excellent.” He held out his hand for Gemma to place her gloved palm in his and led her to the dance floor.