Free The Duke's Christmas Greetings (Regency Christmas Summons Book 3) by Ava Stone, Rose Gordon, Lily George Page B

And they didn’t have her heart, the core of who she was. “No one is like her. No one has ever made me forget my own name, take in a kitten I could do without, or do foolish things like put my livelihood in jeopardy just to spend a few moments with her.”
    “Speaking of the state of your livelihood,” the man began, “I saw Danby last night and he is quite furious with you, I think you should be aware.”
    Matt had figured that out for himself. Who knew what was in store for his future in Yorkshire now? How could he even provide for Patience without Danby’s support?
    “He told me to tell you that you should not even think about attending his Christmas ball this year.”
    The duke’s Christmas ball. Matt had never gone before, though he’d been invited in years past. “I’m not really the waltzing sort.”
    A shadow of a smile tugged at Post’s lips. “Patience does love to waltz, that is too bad to hear.”
    Damn it all, Patience would be at that ball.  What if—
    “Danby said that if you dared to step over his threshold, that you could look for a different village, that your career in Yorkshire would be non-existent.”
    The breath whooshed out of Matt. He knew Danby was angry, but he hadn’t expected that sort of threat. The duke was generally reasonable, or at least he’d always found him to be so, but…
    Quentin Post reached into his jacket and retrieved an ornate envelope. Then he held it out for Matt.
    “What is that?” he asked, taking the heavy vellum.
    “Invitation to Danby’s Christmas ball.”
    Matt blinked at the man. “I thought you said—”
    “It’s my invitation.” He shrugged. “But I think you’re in more need of it than I am.”
    Was the man trying to help him? Or ruin his life? Help him catch Patience? But then have no way to provide for her? Was he always so masochistic? “Why?”
    “Because Patience in love with you. I’d like to know if you’re worthy of that love.” He pushed out of his chair and looked down at Matt. “And after I made a fool out of myself in pursuit of my wife, I suppose I’d like to think I’m not the only fool out there.” He started for the doorway and tossed, “Morning, Campion, best of luck with the rest of your day,” over his shoulder before striding out Matt’s front door.

    Lord Quentin Post dropped into a seat in front of the large desk and cracked a smile at the crusty old duke. “You are a master, I’ll give you that.” When Braden had written him and said the old man might possibly match one or more of their sisters with decent fellows over the holiday, Quent had thought the whole scheme was madness. But in Patience’s case, it had been pure genius, he had to admit.
    A twinkle lit Danby’s eyes. “So you liked him, then?”
    He actually did, surprising as it was. “Seems a very earnest fellow.” And concerned about Patience’s wellbeing, which was refreshing, especially after the nightmare that had been the late Earl of Kilworth. “I think he does love her.”
    At that the duke chuckled. “Of course he does. The man took in that rotten cat of hers.” As though Campion’s feelings for Patience had been sorted out so easily. “He’s not the sort of man who would do that for just anyone, Quentin. She captured his interest, his heart from the first moment. You can trust me on that.”
    Perhaps it was that easy, then. It hadn’t been that easy for Quent, but…then again, he’d been an idiot for an entire year, not that he’d readily admit that to anyone.
    Still, it was hard to believe that the Duke of Danby had worked all this out so quickly. “Tell me you didn’t have him picked out for her before she even arrived.” There were, after all, rumors that the old duke was omnipotent, and if he’d planned this entire thing weeks ago, Quent would never bet against the old man who had to be capable of damn near anything.
    But Danby shook his head. “She was the only one of the three I hadn’t heard any whispers