Traveling Matchmaker

A dead employer's legacy of five thousand pounds allows spinster Hannah Pym to resign from housekeeping and find adventure traveling the English countryside by stagecoach. But adventure soon finds Miss Pym traveling with Miss Emily Freemantle, a spoiled violet-eyed beauty fleeing an arranged marriage to a rake she has never met. When the girl's darkly handsome betrothed boards their stage, Miss Pym is certain Emily was rash to bolt from this aristocratic catch! So, as soon as the travelers repair to an inn, Miss Pym begins her matchmaking. Although Lord Ranger Harley complains he'll not marry an ungrateful minx, Miss Pym suspects once she's marshaled the couple into sharing intimate household chores, all romantic knots will be untangled!

No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage market. When the coach founders near Baddell Castle the dashing Marquis of Frenton comes to the rescue, and Miss Pym decides to give Fate a hand. Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances toward Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!

On the coach to Portsmouth, Miss Pym faces her most difficult matchmaking challenge yet. The lovely Miss Penelope Wilkins, daughter of a rich merchant, would be the perfect match for the handsome Lord Augustus, a nobleman whose fortune is almost depleted. Would be, that is, if the two were at all compatible. Though strikingly beautiful, the too-practical Penelope seems to stand on quite the opposite cliff from the carefree Lord Augustus. But when the undaunted Miss Pym enlists their help in untangling an intrigue, and Lord Augustus steals an astounding kiss from the shocked Penelope, Miss Pym is convinced her matchmaking expertise will soon bridge any chasm between the reluctant lovers!

Lady Beatrice Marsham has quite the problem. No sooner is she widowed from a brutish gambling husband, than her heartless family is forcing her into another horrid marriage. Fleeing by stagecoach to the Brighton seaside, the proud beauty meets Miss Hannah Pym, who is determined to find her a proper match. The handsome and kind Lord Alistair Munro would be perfect. Unfortunately, he is convinced of the town gossip that proclaims Lady Beatrice a cruel flirt. Miss Pym, however, is not worried. The lady's hard heart has softened much since coming to Brighton, and though Lord Alistair disapproves of the old Lady Beatrice, by Miss Pym's clever design he is sure to fall in love with the new and improved model.

Destined for Dover, Miss Pym has her matchmaking work cut out for her when she encounters the pretty but hoydenish Lady Deborah Western. Encouraged by an unruly twin brother, the spirited, golden-haired Deborah seems set on dressing and acting the tomboy, much to the dismay of her handsome neighbor, the Earl of Ashton. To Deb, the Earl is a dull stick, always lecturing on the behavior of a proper lady. But her desire to fish, hunt, and ride is quickly replaced with more romantic notions when the tall, green-eyed Earl challenges her to a horse race and wins himself an unforgettable kiss. Miss Pym is certain the stunned girl is quite ready for more feminine pursuits; and with the help of her clever maneuverings, Lady Deborah will soon be well and truly matched-perhaps even to the Earl himself!

The shy Miss Yvonne Grenier, a beautiful fugitive of the French Revolution, is quite terrified when a dangerous enemy boards her stage to York. Luckily, Miss Hannah Pym is also on board. Ever the matchmaker, Miss Pym sees the answer to Yvonne's plight in the hands and heart of another passenger-the Marquis of Ware. Handsome and tailored to perfection, the marquis' birth and fortune are armor enough to defend Yvonne. Although the girl is of the French bourgeoisie and below him, Miss Pym is certain that Yvonne's Gallic graces and quick-witted tongue have more than piqued his interest. Miss Pym will propose a plan that enlists the Marquis' aid-and soon he will be proposing! After all, a maiden in distress is irresistible-even to a confirmed bachelor!