He shook his head. “I don’t believe it would do any good. There are too many people and too many grabbing hands. Chances are, someone already has it tucked into their reticule.”

“Reticule?”

“Oh yes,” Devon said, smiling ear to ear. “Somewhere at this ball is the woman my brother Marcus is going to marry.”

Kat looked impressed. “But…how will he find her? Or the ring?”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but when the ring wishes to be found, it is.” Devon took his future bride’s arm. “Meanwhile, let us talk of more important things. What do you think of an elopement? Something with a lengthy honeymoon on the continent. You may bring your lads with you, and we can gaze at stained glass to your heart’s content.”

“A trip abroad? Really? But…what about your brother? Won’t he need help finding the ring? And his future bride?”

“Never fear, my dear. I’m certain your brother will give us a copy of the guest list for the ball. Marcus can begin there.”

“But…there are over four hundred people here!”

“Then he had better get started quickly. He’s almost forty, you know, and it is high time he found a wife. Perhaps it will liven him up some; he has gotten to be quite a tyrant of late. Meanwhile, you and I, my love, have some dancing to attend to.” And with that, Devon swept his lovely bride-to-be onto the dance floor, though in the back of his mind, he was already composing the letter to his brother:

Extractletter

Dearest Marcus:

Life is oft full of ironies. This is one I’m sure you will enjoy…

About the Author

KAREN HAWKINS was raised in Tennessee, a member of a huge extended family that included her brother and sister, an adopted sister, numerous foster siblings and various exchange students. In order to escape the chaos (and whilst hiding when it was her turn to do the dishes), she would huddle under the comforter on her bed with a flashlight and a book, a habit she still embraces to this day. For more information about Karen, or pictures of her chasing a box of donuts while training for a road race, visit her at www.karenhawkins.com or write to her at Karen Hawkins, P.O. Box 5292, Kingsport, TN 37663-5292.

By Karen Hawkins

AND THE BRIDE WORE PLAID

HOW TO TREAT A LADY

CONFESSIONS OF A SCOUNDREL

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

THE SEDUCTION OF SARA

A BELATED BRIDE

THE ABDUCTION OF JULIA

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