“I’m not getting cold feet. I am simply questioning the intelligence of this idea. I cannot transform into something I’m not.”
“Something you’re not? What’s that? A gentleman? Your mother would weep to hear such an admission.”
His jaw tightened. “As much as I loved her, my mother is dead.”
“But you’re not, and you’re responsible for living up to your potential. The invitation has been issued; Dahlia Balfour will leave this house attached to someone. Whether that someone is you or not is entirely your—and her—decision.”
The white lines around his mouth told Margaret how furious her words had made him, but he did not leave. Indeed, he stood rooted to the floor as if every word she’d uttered had nailed him in place. That’s promising.
Margaret turned away, leaving him to collect himself as well as he could. “Then we are understood, Lord Kirk. You will put yourself in my hands for the next two months and by the time Miss Dahlia Balfour arrives, you will be ready to meet her, a new—and vastly improved—man.”
There was a long silence and then he snapped out, “Fine. I will admit that I need some polish. I’ll return home and make arrangements to spend those two months here, but beware, for I will not be turned into a fop!”
“Oh no,” Charlotte said. “We could never hope for that in two months. Just a gentleman of address. That will have to do.”
Kirk didn’t seem much impressed with this, either, and with a stiff and abrupt farewell, he left.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Margaret returned to her seat and dropped into it, her gown fluttering about her. “Good God, but that was ridiculously difficult!”
Charlotte nodded. “He looked as if he could breathe fire.”
“He’s furious, there’s no doubt, but he asked for my help and now he will take it.” Margaret stretched her feet before her and plopped them on a small footstool. Feenie rose and jumped into her lap.
“Do you think Kirk can learn what he must in such a short time?”
“He has to or the fairy tale will be quite offset.”
“I hate an offset fairy tale.”
“Don’t we all? Fortunately, we have a secret weapon.”
Charlotte’s eyes brightened. “We do?” She waited. When the silence merely grew, she sighed. “You’re not going to tell me what it is.”
“In due time, Charlotte. In due time.”
Charlotte reached to remove her book from where she’d tucked it away and began to search for her place. “Fine. Whatever your weapon might be, I can only hope it will tame our Beast before Beauty arrives.”
“So do I, Charlotte. So do I.”
© Michael Cairns
KAREN HAWKINS is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen wickedly funny historical romance novels set in Regency Scotland and England. Her wildly popular MacLean Curse series was followed by the enchanting Hurst Amulet series. In addition, Karen is the author of two sassy contemporary romances set in the little town of Glory, North Carolina. Visit Karen’s website at www.karenhawkins.com, join her at www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenHawkins, or follow her on Twitter @TheKarenHawkins to see pictures of Karen training for the Krispy Kreme Challenge race; for information on her favorite crush/actor, the incomparable Hugh Jackman; and to enter ridiculously easy contests to win free books and other fabulous prizes!
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COVER ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN PAUL
Also by Karen Hawkins
The Duchess Diaries Series
How to Capture a Countess
The Hurst Amulet Series
One Night in Scotland
Scandal in Scotland
A Most Dangerous Profession
The Taming of a Scottish Princess
The MacLean Curse Series
How to Abduct a Highland Lord
To Scotland, With Love
To Catch a Highlander
Sleepless in Scotland
The Laird Who Loved Me
Contemporary Romance
Talk of the Town
Lois Lane Tells All
Other
Much Ado About Marriage
Princess in Disguise
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by Karen Hawkins
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First Pocket Books paperback edition June 2013
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ISBN 978-1-4516-8520-6
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Duchess Diaries [2] How to Pursue a Princess Page 30
