Miss Featherton's Christmas Prince (The Marriage Game Book 9) by Ella Quinn

and Mary, Meg would have been settled by now. Hawksworth is up to her weight and will make an excellent husband. Almeria, are you not some sort of relation to Somerset?”
    “A third cousin once removed, but we do not get on. Despite his animosity toward me, the boy’s mother insisted I stand as one of his godmothers.” Almeria agreed that Meg needed a strong man, and Hawksworth was just that. “Hawksworth stopped by to visit me yesterday, and I told him about Swindon and Tarlington. This will finally give him something to do other than visit his tailor and attend sporting events. I believe he is bored to death.”
    “Not unheard of for military men.” Lucinda reached for another biscuit. “It is a shame his father cannot give up the reins even a little. Having an estate to manage would be good for him.”
    Constance, who had been listening for the most part, finally asked, “Who else have you invited?”
    “Miss Riverton and her betrothed, Lord Darby, the Fotheringales, Lord and Lady Smithson . . .” She rattled off several other couples, and ended triumphantly with her greatest coup. “And the Marquis and Marchioness of Merton.”
    “Smithsons?” Constance frowned. “Why would you invite them?”
    “As a favor to Smithson’s great-aunt.”
    “Other than the Smithsons, the guests are unexceptional.” Lucinda clapped her hands. “But, Almeria, how did you convince the Mertons? They never leave their estate during the Christmas holidays.”
    “They will only be there for the first week. Then, of course, they have duties at home, but I am praying that is long enough. They will bring their son, and you know how the presence of a young child will turn a lady’s mind toward marriage.”
    “Yes, of course,” Constance said, nodding. “A brilliant scheme.”
    Even though Almeria had assisted in her friends’ other matchmaking efforts, for her this one was more important than all the others. Since Hawksworth’s mother’s death, it appeared as if the Duke of Somerset had lost interest in his firstborn and heir at best, or was actively hostile to the boy at worst. She wished she knew what had got into the man.
    If she fell in love with him, Meg Featherton would be the perfect wife for Damon. She and her family would provide him the familial stability he did not have at his own home.
    The problem would be bringing Meg around. Having the Mertons there would help, but Almeria was counting on the magic of Christmas to assist as well.
     
    The past month at home at Granby Abbey had been torture for Meg. Even though none of her sisters, brothers, or parents had said a word, she could feel their pity that yet another gentleman had turned out to be a cur. Meg pulled on her gloves before taking the large ermine muff from a maid. Hendricks had left earlier so that she would be at Lady Bellamny’s when Meg arrived.
    If only Kit and Mary had decided to stay at home for a while longer, but they had traveled almost immediately to Northumberland from London.
    Nevertheless, Meg, now dressed in a new Pompeian red cashmere gown with an ermine-lined red velvet cloak, was more than ready to depart.
    Having stated that the coach was comfortable, and she wanted the door opened as infrequently as possible, Mrs. Hiller and Amanda were waiting in the carriage for the journey.
    When Meg entered the coach, the first thing she noticed was the joy in her friend’s eyes. Amanda too must be glad for a break, but Meg sensed it was something more. Amanda had been in a very good mood since she and her family had returned from Town a little over a week ago. Every time Meg queried her, Amanda would only shake her head and say it was early days. Ever since Tarlington, it seemed as if she had grown more distant to Meg. If only she knew how to bring back their closeness. Maybe being together for Christmas would help mend whatever rift there was between them.
    The door closed, and Mrs. Hiller gave the order to start. “We should arrive late this