The Marquess and the Wallflower

THE MARQUESS AND THE WALLFLOWER MATCHMAKING ON THE MARRIAGEMART TAMMY ANDRESEN CONTENTS The Marquess and the Wallflower Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 The Duke I Wished For FREE book alert!! About the Author Also by Katherine Ann Madison THE MARQUESS AND THE WALLFLOWER This Marquess will not be caught in a marriage scheme… Which is why when his mother plans a house party, he’s determined to confront the dowager marchioness’s chosen bride, one Lady Marissa, and make certain she knows he’s not a man to be trifled with. Too bad for him, the eligible lady he thinks is the bait hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about. And then there is the minor detail that she’s exceptionally beautiful, smart, and kind. Perhaps marriage wouldn’t be so bad after all. But now, he’s got another problem. She is certain he’s crazy…which, with the way he’s acting, might just be true. CHAPTER ONE The Marquess of Farthington sat behind his desk, tapping his finger on the highly polished top of his walnut desk. Ben had been contemplating how to proceed for an hour or more, but he was no further along in planning his escape. One might think that having reached the station of marquess there wouldn’t be any situation in which he’d have to tactfully extricate himself. One would be wrong. Because even though Ben was a marquess, his mother and her friend, Lady Greenburg, seemed intent upon matching him with an eligible lady. The two women were notorious matchmakers, and this winter house party was surely their attempt to do precisely that. And as both of his sisters had wed the prior year, he was certain their keen eyes had fallen upon him. A handful of families had been invited to his home at his mother’s bequest. A house party before the official season had begun. Among the guests were three eligible ladies: two sisters, daughters of a baronet, and a family friend, Lady Marissa Templeton. A few other lords had been invited as well. His mother was sly enough to cover her tracks, but Ben knew when the matron had matchmaking on her mind. Just the choice of additional lords confirmed his suspicions. Neither were heirs and both were in need of funds. Clearly both men were chosen to make him appear more appealing. But what his mother failed to consider is that he was determined not to marry. Not yet, anyway. The past five years had been duty after duty. First to his title and then to his family. He loved them dearly, but finally, he’d settled into the role of marquess and both his sisters were happily wed. Now was his chance to relax a bit. Enjoy. Have some fun before he settled down with marriage and a family. His finger tapped again. He could grin and bear it through the weeklong party. Be polite to the girls rather than encouraging. Push them off with a polite disinterest. That was a simple enough answer, except for one critical detail…Lady Marissa was exceptionally lovely. He grimaced even thinking of her. He’d seen her recently at his best friend’s wedding. She’d been in attendance with her parents and he’d been stunned by how beautiful she’d become. He’d grown near tongue-tied, which was ridiculous. At nearly thirty a woman hadn’t affected him so in well more than a decade. He’d been able to cover his gaffe well enough thanks to Marissa’s demure nature. Always quiet, they’d hardly spoken, but he found himself staring at her through much of the ceremony and the preceding breakfast. Which made feigning indifference for a week difficult. His hand brushed at piece of dust as he grimaced. No. He’d need a more direct approach. Should he speak with her father? Explain that he’d yet to experience real freedom? That he may be interested in his daughter at a later date? The idea didn’t sit well and his stomach churned. Did he talk to the lady herself? His finger tapped faster. It would be difficult to see the disappointment on her face, that was certain. He was regarded as a handsome man, coupled with his title and his lands, many considered him a catch. But directness was better than leaving a lady wondering, was it not? He let out a long sigh, scratching at his jaw. Then again, she seemed the sensitive sort. And much as he didn’t wish to wed, he also would never want to hurt any woman. Least of all, her. Her sweet nature had an appeal that he couldn’t deny, try as he might. Which was why he needed to keep his distance. A soft knock sounded on his partially open door, his sister Tillie poking her head into the room. “Hello.” “Hello,” he called back with a genuine smile. Tillie was not only vivacious but intelligent. She’d surely be able to help him. She looked him up and down, a crease appearing between her brows. “You look unusually out of sorts. What troubles you?” He shook his head. “I’d like to say nothing, but unfortunately you’re right. I am out of sorts. It’s this party. Mother. Lady Greenburg.” Tillie nodded sympathetically. “They are certainly planning something. Those two are thick as thieves and twice as devious.” He let out a long-suffering breath. “I know. And as you and Millie are already married…” Tillie wrinkled her nose. “It does seem likely that they’re intent upon matching you.” “I’m a marquess, for pity’s sake. I don’t need their help.” Tilled shrugged. “When did they ever consider what you might want or need? I’m fairly certain this is about their own desires to see you settled.” Rising from the desk, he glowered out the window looking down at the brown fields that lay beyond, made more morose by the grey sky and the wind rustling the bare trees. “What do I do, Tillie?” “You’re asking me? I attempted to avoid their