They were still kissing passionately when Skye found them behind the row of palms. “Why am I not surprised that you are already living up to the family legend, Ash?”
He might have ignored the cheerful question if Maura hadn’t broken off guiltily. Disappointed, Ash turned a baleful eye on his youngest cousin. “Can you not see we are occupied?”
Skye smiled sweetly. “I only wished to tell Maura how delighted we all are to have her join our family. I would have done so sooner, but I haven’t had a single moment alone with her since the ceremony.” Stepping closer, she took Maura’s hands. “I am overjoyed to have you as a sister in addition to a dear friend, Maura. And ecstatic for you as well. No one deserves happiness more than you.”
“Thank you,” she murmured with a heartfelt smile.
“I foresee a long and glorious union between you and Ash,” Skye predicted, “since we Wildes fall in love for life. Granted, we had begun to despair that Ash would never marry and fulfill our parents’ legacy, but now there is real hope for the rest of our generation.”
Katharine appeared just in time to overhear Skye’s last remark. “Yes, Ash,” Kate agreed in a provocative tone. “It seems my legendary lovers theory is not so preposterous after all. I expect a suitable acknowledgment from you. I was right about Maura being your destiny, you must admit.”
His mouth curved. “Very well, I admit it.”
His sister’s response was a self-satisfied smile. “Allow me to say I told you so.”
“Smugness does not become you, sweet shrew.”
Kate laughed. “I think I should be permitted to crow a little. You fought me tooth and nail at first, but you have now proved the possibility that a legendary lover could exist for each of us cousins.”
Ash slid a friendly arm around Katharine’s shoulders. “I trust your time comes quickly, sister dear.”
“I sincerely hope so also.”
“You mistake my meaning, Kate,” he replied with an affectionate squeeze of her shoulders. “I want you to find your match soon, because now that Maura and I are married, I prefer to have the house to ourselves.”
Katharine feigned a wounded look. “Are you actually saying my presence is unwanted?”
“No, only that you need to increase the pace of your hunt.”
“I am trying, I assure. I promised I would search for my own true love next. But unfortunately, my romantic prospects seem dim at the moment, despite my best efforts.”
Ash wasn’t surprised, since he knew of few men who could handle a lively spitfire like Kate.
“Kate,” Skye interrupted. “I gather you have discovered no prospective match for me yet?”
“I am sorry, Skye, but not yet. To be frank, I think it will be easier to find mates for the men in our family.”
When Kate glanced behind her at the ballroom floor, Ash knew she was eyeing Jack and Quinn. Not only had they attended the ball and remained the entire time, they were dutifully conversing with dowagers and dancing with wallflowers in a show of family loyalty.
“She has a Greek myth in mind for Quinn,” Skye said mischievously.
“Oh, which one?” Maura asked Kate.
“I imagine his tale will be Pygmalion. But Jack should come next, since his time is growing short.”
When Maura looked intrigued, Kate explained. “I have found a possible Juliet to Jack’s Romeo, but there are serious impediments to the union—namely, the long-standing feud between our two families and even worse, the young lady’s imminent engagement to a duke. No doubt her parents will vociferously object to Jack’s courtship, although in his case, having royal blood could be his saving grace.”
“Royal blood?” Maura repeated. “Oh, yes, I remember Ash telling me that Jack’s father was a European prince.”
“Yes. Jack is a love child, but he could claim the throne if he really wished to—which he says he does not. Either way, he must act soon or he will miss his chance entirely. Skye, you are closest to Jack. You will have to persuade him to at least meet his Juliet.”
“Certainly I will do my utmost,” Skye replied earnestly. “However, you may have an even more difficult challenge than his, since Aunt Bella asked you to find someone for her good friend, Lord Hawkhurst. You remember, Maura, he is the earl who breeds horses on the Isle of Cyrene? Hawkhurst is a widower,” she explained, “who lost his wife and young child here in England years ago. Aunt Bella believes he needs a new wife in order to be happy.”
Kate’s green eyes grew serious. “Hawkhurst is most assuredly on my list. I might even turn my hand to Uncle Cornelius.”
Maura appeared skeptical. “I thought Lord Cornelius was a scholarly bachelor who rarely leaves his library.”
“True. He is not a typical Wilde with a bent for passion and scandal, but he does have a romantic past of his own. Like Jack’s mother, Uncle Cornelius never married because he was thwarted in love. But he is a dear soul, and I want a happy ending for him.”