His Perfect Bride by Jenn Langston

Marquis of Stonemede, much to her mother’s displeasure. She sincerely hoped by the time the introduction took place, he would have already secured his bride, and she would have nothing to fear from him or her mother.
    Her luck had not been all good, however. She had also been unable to locate Mr. Richard, regardless of which event she attended. She had even gone so far as to take several trips to Hyde Park throughout the day and shopped incessantly, hoping to catch sight of him. With how well things were progressing with Mr. Gregory, she had hoped to cast Mr. Richard from her thoughts, but she found it impossible. There was something about him, and although their two encounters had been brief, they stood out in her mind.
    This obsession with him finally caused her to recruit some unwilling help. Ashley had been extremely reluctant to offer assistance until Brianna mentioned knowledge of her relationship with James. Since Brianna had begun to view Ashley as her friend, she had not wished to force her to cooperate, but desperation clawed at her, and she needed help from both Ashley and James.
    Brianna shoved the needle deep into her needlework, then disgustedly tossed it aside. Why was Mr. Richard making this so difficult for her? Ashley gave her a concerned look and then put her own needlework aside as well.
    “Lady Grace, that is beautiful. You have done a fine job today, and I believe you have earned a break.” Ashley turned to Grace with a warm smile.
    Seeing the joy such simple praise gave her sister, Brianna could not resist smiling, pleased they had not gone forward with their plan to run Ashley off.
    “Thank you, Miss Ashley. I didn’t think I would enjoy needlework this much.”
    “I’m glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. As I told you before, you will never know if you are partial to something if you don’t try it first.”
    “I understand that now.”
    “Good, now I believe Cook has prepared some of her muffins. Why not ask her for one?”
    “That is a good idea. Are you coming, Bree?”
    “Could you save me some? I believe I need more practice before my needlework looks as perfect as yours. Besides, I don’t suppose Miss Ashley will allow me a break until I have at least made an effort to achieve perfection.”
    “That is true,” Ashley assured Grace.
    “Well, I’ll be in the kitchen if you are ever released. However, I can’t promise I shall save you any.” Grace’s smile was mischievous as she turned and left the room before Brianna could comment.
    “What is wrong?” Ashley asked her as soon as the door closed. Brianna simply gave her a desperate look in response, to which Ashley sighed. “It’s Mr. Richard, is it not? Please tell me again why he is so important.”
    “As I said before, I really can’t describe it. I have only seen him those two times, but I, well, I guess I miss him.” Brianna placed her hands over her face, feeling miserable.
    “How could you possibly miss someone you don’t know?”
    “I can’t say. All I know is that I feel something different for him.” Brianna removed her hands and sat back in her chair, thinking of the wondrous feelings that swamped her when she was around him.
    “If he feels the same for you, he will eventually show up, and this nightly errand for James will prove pointless. Perhaps your Mr. Richard has been called off to an estate in the country,” Ashley suggested, hope infusing her words.
    “I don’t believe so. He has no title and most likely no estate.”
    “James has been monitoring different gentlemen’s clubs each night for an entire week, to no avail. What makes you think he is going to find him?”
    “Most gentlemen frequent those clubs, and if Mr. Richard decides to, James will find him,” Brianna declared with more faith than she felt.
    It had been James’ idea to check the clubs each night, and Brianna had agreed with his logic. Ashley had not liked the idea, but James seemed excited to go on surveillance.