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

Amanda and Mrs. Hiller.
    Meg moved over to the closest fireplace, stretching her hands out to warm them. Lady Merton was at the other end of the room in close conversation with a tall, scholarly looking man.
    “Mama,” Amanda said, “do you know who is with Lady Merton?”
    “That is Lord Bellamny, my dear.”
    “I’ve never seen him before.”
    Neither had Meg, and she had been to Lady Bellamny’s townhome many times. “Why does he not come to Town?”
    “He chooses to remain here or on one of their other estates. When I came out they were held up as the perfect example of an arranged match between people with contrary interests. They had been wed several years at that time. My mother told me that he was fascinated with Lady Bellamny and did attempt a Season or two, but truly disliked London. She was such a social being that he would not refuse his wife her pleasure.”
    “How selfless of him.” Where, Meg wondered, were gentlemen such as Lord Bellamny now?
    “Yes, it is, but you mustn’t think she has all the benefit. She is quite devoted to him and spends a great deal of time in Town advancing his scientific ideas through her political entertainments.”
    The echoing of a carriage coming up the drive, then the front door opening, reached the drawing room. A few minutes later the Marquis of Hawksworth was announced.
    Meg froze, not daring to turn around. This could not be happening to her. The one gentleman she wished to avoid was here and would be living in the same house for weeks!
    Oh God. Could fate be any more contrary?
    Miss Hiller nudged Meg’s elbow, and she turned to curtsey, but her gaze was glued to the extremely broad smile on Amanda’s face. Had she known he would be present? Was this the reason for her happiness? Meg could not allow her friend to fall for a man such as Hawksworth. A man who must have dangerous secrets he was hiding.
    Hawksworth leaned down, whispered in Amanda’s ear, and she giggled. Had it been possible, Meg would have dragged her friend out by the ear. She glanced around, wondering why Mrs. Hiller didn’t do something, yet the lady barely appeared to notice his entrance. Well, someone needed to stop Amanda from making the mistake of her life.
    Meg straightened, marched forward, and curtseyed. “My lord.”
    Damon’s gaze had immediately been drawn to Miss Featherton; however, Miss Hiller had reached him first, and he had a message for her from Throughgood. Damon squeezed Miss Hiller’s fingers, handing her the note that had been folded into a triangle. Throughgood and his family had been invited to dine with Lady Bellamny, and he had wanted Miss Hiller to meet him early in the drawing room. Damon had agreed to pass the message. After flashing Damon a shy smile, she moved out of the way, grasping the precious message in her closed hand.
    After the Feathertons had left Town, he, Throughgood, and Miss Hiller had become more than merely good friends. After seeing them together, Damon apologized to Throughgood for not thinking that Miss Hiller was a good choice for him. The two complemented one another perfectly. They had also pledged their help in bringing Miss Featherton around.
    Now here she was before him, and looking extremely militant. For the life of him, he could not think what he had done to get on her bad side.
    He bowed. “Miss Featherton, it is always a pleasure to meet you again.”
    “Thank you.” Her lips moved twice or three times, as if she would say something more, but as Lady Bellamny was almost upon them, Miss Featherton made a strategic retreat back to the fireplace.
    She was obviously not going to make getting close to her easy, and he had not been able to formulate a scheme to approach her. Nevertheless, he’d always loved a challenge, and when he won her, this one would be exceptionally sweet.
    His godmother embraced him, kissing him on both cheeks. “I’m glad you arrived before the weather got any worse.” Linking her arm in his, she led him to