Page 8 of How to Catch an Heiress

Chastity looked down her nose at the girl. "Miss Doncaster, I feel certain that you do not mean to imply that there was a ’need’ for my sisters and I to marry?"

The girl's eyes widened. The other young ladies looked at her in confusion.

"Need?" Lady Madeleine said, then her eyes widened as well. "Oh, my, no, Lady Chastity. We did not mean to imply that at all. We think it’s romantic."

"I was not addressing you, Lady Madeleine," Chastity said in frosty tones.

Miss Doncaster blanched. "Oh no, my lady, I did not mean to imply that at all. Please forgive the misunderstanding.”

"I advise you not to give anyone else that impression, even by mistake," she said. "The duke would not be pleased."

Miss Doncaster’s eyes widened even more. "Nae, my lady, of course not." She glanced at her friends. "Come, ladies, I cannot be long away from my mother.” She curtsied to Chastity. "It was a pleasure to see you, my lady." She whirled and hurried away, her friends in tow.

"Remind me never to make you angry."

Chastity jerked her gaze onto Sir Stirling. Unbridled male delight danced in his eyes. “You will make a brilliant duchess."

Chastity scowled. "That was your handiwork."

His brow shot up. "Mine? How so?"

"If you hadn't rushed my sisters to the altar, no one would suspect impropriety.”

"Forgive me, but I believe it was you who insisted on the month deadline."

"Only because I didn't believe anyone could accomplish such a thing," she muttered.

His expression turned downright wicked. "Now you know."

Chastity started. Aye, the man was dangerous.