Free Guilty Series by Laura Lee Guhrke

wonder she dared to throw criticism back at Anthony. What woman would not retaliate for the comparison to a stick insect?
    â€œYou should have at least consulted me,” he tossed out at her as he continued to pace. “She had the gall to say she is leaving because she does not like me, Viola. Deuce take it, who is this chit to like me or not? Who does she think she is?”
    â€œA woman who is not afraid to tell you what she thinks of you, obviously.” As much as she hoped her brother could be made to revise his assessment of Daphne, she wondered if it would matter in any case. Daphne had been in love with him, Viola was sure of it, which made her wounded pride all the harder to heal.
    Bringing the pair together suddenly seemed a hopeless business, and Viola’s heart sank. Daphne was a warm and loving person, and she would make Anthony so much happier than Sarah ever could. “She is entitled to her opinion, Anthony.”
    He shot her an angry glance as he paced. “You are partly responsible for the entire situation. I expect you to retract your offer to the girl at once.”
    Viola folded her arms and gave her brother the stubborn look characteristic of their family tree. “I will do no such thing. If Daphne chooses to come to stay with me, I will not gainsay her.”
    Anthony stopped pacing and faced her with all that ducal intimidation. “You intend to defy me?”
    She stood her ground. “I intend to do what is right. Daphne deserves to find her relations and take her place in society. I have offered to help her in that task, and I have invited her to stay at Chiswick with me. I will introduce her into society, assist her to make appropriate acquaintances, and introduce her to eligible young men. I will not take back that invitation simply because you will be inconvenienced. If you do not want her to leave, I suggest you find a way to persuade her to stay. If you can.”
    The moment she said those words, Viola felt a ray of hope return. Anthony had never been one to refuse a challenge. As she expected, her brother met her gaze and replied, “I can, and I will.”
    â€œMight I suggest,” Viola added, smiling, “that in persuading her to stay, you make use of the charming aspects of your character? You might have better success in changing her mind if you remember that she is a woman with needs and feelings and dreams of her own. Though she might be an excellent antiquarian, Daphne is not a machine. If you got to know her, you might come to understand her, which would only serve to help your cause.”
    He did not react to having his own description of Daphne thrown back at him, nor did he seem to appreciate her advice. Instead, he started for the door. “I will keep your counsel in mind.”
    â€œGood. Then I think I will go on to Chiswick in the morning, so that I do not get involved in this any further.”
    â€œExcellent.” He paused in the doorway to look at her over his shoulder. “I shall be down to London in a few months, and will pay a visit to Enderby to see you then. In the interim, if Hammond does anything—”
    â€œI shall inform you at once.”
    â€œGood.”
    Viola watched her brother go, and she hoped her notion to bring Daphne and Anthony together would succeed. Matchmaking was a tricky business, but she thought this match at least had a chance. Granted, Daphne wasn’t beautiful likeLady Sarah, but she was attractive in her own way. She shared Anthony’s most important interests in life. She had the intelligence and good sense necessary to run the vast households of a duke with ease. She had passion and a warm, tender heart. Though he did not realize it now, Daphne was a woman who could make him happy. If it came about, theirs would be an excellent match.
    She summoned Celeste to begin packing her things. She had done all she could to ensure Anthony’s future happiness, and she would have to