by marrying an heiress.” Kit’s gaze sharpened. “It’s not like you to save them. What are you up to?”
“I plan on ruining them.”
“Fucking hell. That’s why you need an heiress.”
Harrison didn’t bother correcting his friend. Admitting he had money would lead to explaining why he needed this house party—and Harrison was not ready to tell anyone of his plans for Maddie.
“Does anyone know?” Kit asked.
“No.”
“Not even Maddie?”
“I haven’t spoken to her since we played tennis the other morning. She’d call a halt to the house party if she knew.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. Jesus, no wonder you need an heiress quickly. Now I’m even more glad I came.”
They both turned back to the window, lost in their own thoughts for a moment.
“Good God,” Kit said suddenly. “Look at Red Dress down there. Bold thing, isn’t she?”
A woman in a red silk day dress had emerged from a carriage, her face obscured by a wide hat. An older lady trailed her, wringing her hands and speaking, looking as if she were almost pleading with the younger woman. Red Dress waved off whatever was being said and turned to the footman attending to the luggage. Whatever the young woman said made the footman’s face go up in flames.
“Well, well.” Kit clapped Harrison on the shoulder. “I think we have our first contender.”
“For a partner to warm your bed?”
“No, idiot. For your bride. That one is a bold mystery wrapped in delicate silk and lace.”
“That is your type,” Harrison said. “Not mine.”
The door opened after a brief knock. Maddie’s face appeared in the crack, her eyes narrowed to slits. “I knew I saw your shadows in the glass. Stop watching them. You are looming up here like a pair of unseemly specters.”
“Boo.” Kit waved his fingers dramatically.
“I am serious.” Maddie came in, and the door snapped shut behind her. She wore a cream dress with blue stripes, and Harrison tried not to notice the way the cloth hugged her curves as she moved—more curves than she’d possessed three years ago. She put her hands on her hips. “This is terrible of you both, making assumptions about them based on how they look. Harrison must get to know their personalities for this to work.”
“Which I will do over the next several days,” he said.
“Who was the woman in red?” Kit asked. “The one who just arrived.”
Maddie huffed in frustration. “This is exactly what I am talking about—and I am not telling you. Figure it out for yourselves.”
“Oh, he will,” Harrison murmured.
“You two are revolting. How would it feel if you were attending an important event and a pair of women were up here ogling you as you arrived?”
Harrison shrugged. “Wouldn’t bother me.”
“I’d like it,” Kit said. “I’d preen a bit, give them a proper show.”
“God, you are both hopeless.” Grabbing their elbows, she dragged them away from the window. “My friends are not here to entertain you. This is very serious for them. A girl’s worth in this world is determined by the match she makes. I won’t have you mistreating them or causing them discomfort.”
That comment gave Harrison pause. Was that why Maddie allowed the duke to court her, to prove her worth? It seemed unlikely, considering she was one of high society’s most popular girls. She could have her pick of any eligible man, title or not. He tried to appear apologetic. “We shall be on our best behavior.”
“Don’t make promises on my behalf,” Kit said. “I am not the one looking to get married.”
Maddie pointed at Kit. “Do not seduce any of them. Not one. They are off-limits, Christopher.”
Harrison smothered a smile. Maddie was as fierce as ever, in command and unafraid. Some things never changed, he supposed.
She continued, “You two had best be kind to these ladies. This is serious, not a circus for your amusement. Have I made myself clear?”
“Clear as glass,” Harrison said. “Should we come down?”
“No, stick with the original plan. My father will take you both sailing today while the heiresses settle in. Then you’ll meet everyone before dinner during cocktails.”
“All right.” Harrison shoved his hands in his trouser pockets and tried not to think about how much he wanted to touch her. How much he wanted to test the softness of her skin, the silkiness of her hair. To make her sigh and moan.
Soon.
Maddie misinterpreted his reaction because she said, “Harrison, this will be fun. I know these women, and I swear you’ll like them. Well, at least one or two.”
Doubtful, not when he