Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan

That was your underhanded way of contriving an encounter between me and Miss Collyer.”
    Kate had the grace to look a trifle guilty then. “Yes, but I knew better than to tell you of my plan beforehand, Ash. You would have scoffed and told me to go to the devil.”
    “Which is exactly what I mean to do now. You can’t seriously expect me to play the role of prince to her Cinderella.”
    “I only want you to keep an open mind.…”
    When he didn’t immediately respond, Kate’s tone turned imploring. “Truly, Ash, she could be your perfect mate. You know Maura is nothing at all like theyoung misses who drive you to distraction with their witless chatter. She has brains and beauty and spirit, and she can ride like a centaur,” Kate added, singing her friend’s praises. “She is far ahead of her time, managing a breeding stable, and independent enough that she would never chase after you for your fortune and title.”
    Nothing like other young ladies indeed
, Ash thought, remembering Maura’s unconventional actions earlier tonight.
    “Moreover, she is an orphan, like we are.”
    “Is that supposed to arouse my sympathy?”
    “Yes, of course. We Wildes know how painful it is to lose our dearest loved ones.”
    In self-defense, Ash tried a different tack. “If you are so convinced of the brilliance of your theory, Kate, why don’t
you
go first?”
    “Because your tale presented itself first. It is staring us right in the face. Besides, you are the eldest. You have more than fulfilled your duty as head of the family, Ash. You’ve taken care of all of us for years, and it is time you looked out for yourself.”
    “I
am
looking out for myself.”
    “Not well enough. You have never given love a chance, but you need to do so now.”
    “So says the spinster.”
    Despite being the wealthy daughter of a marquis, Katharine was considered practically on the shelf, having turned down countless offers of marriage because, she claimed, she had never found the man who could prove her match and she wouldn’t settle for anything less than true love.
    “Yes,” she countered, “but it is not for my lack of trying. I simply have never met the right candidate. And you haven’t either. I know you will never agree to look for a bride from among this Season’s crop of insipid debutantes. You would certainly never have to worry about Maura being insipid.”
    Ash glanced at the others. Quinn had relaxed upon realizing he wasn’t the immediate target of Katharine’s madcap schemes, and amusement wreathed his mouth. Jack also appeared more sanguine and seemed to be enjoying seeing his elder brother under the gun.
    Skye spoke again, giving Ash a reprieve. “You said you have tales in mind for the rest of us, Katharine. What is your legend to be?”
    Katharine made a face, followed by a self-deprecating smile. “I expect I will have to settle for Shakespeare’s comedy,
The Taming of the Shrew
. You know my temperament. And my name is even spelled like the Bard’s Katharine.”
    Jack leaned over and pulled a lock of her flame-dark hair from her elegant coiffure. “And whom do I get for my match?”
    “Oh, I have the perfect candidate in mind for you,
mon frère, Jacques
. But you probably won’t like it,” Katharine warned.
    “I expect I won’t. I know you too well. But enlighten me anyway.”
    “Well, then, it is
Romeo and Juliet
.”
    “The devil I will,” Jack responded roundly. “I’m not playing the role of the tragic lover who dies.”
    Katharine gave a short laugh. “Of course you won’t die in your ending. What kind of ideal romance wouldthat be? But trust me on this, Jack, you will reconsider once you meet your Juliet. She is quite beautiful.”
    “Who is it?”
    “No, I am not telling you. Not when you are so mulishly determined to be closed-minded.”
    “What about me, Katharine?” Skye asked curiously.
    Kate looked to her cousin. “I haven’t determined your tale yet, Skye, but I am working on it.