Page 3 of Courting Miss Lancaster
Something in the wording of that appealed to Harry. Dispatching the less-than-deserving. He couldn’t have her forhimself, he understood that. But he could see to it that she found a gentleman who would treat her well, who would care for more than her dowry and connections. It would be torture, no denying that, but there would be at least a measure of satisfaction in the undertaking.
“Perhaps you should define ‘less-than-deserving,’” Harry ventured.
Adam gave Harry the look he reserved for moments when Harry didn’t live up to Adam’s standard of intelligence. “Philanderers, divorcés, rogues and rakes, anyone whose standing is not at least among the gentry, anyone too old or too young. Certainly no one stupid or cowardly. Absolutely no member of my extended family.” Harry actually smiled at that. There were few people in Adam’s extended family, and Harry knew Adam heartily disapproved of every last one of them. “And under no circumstances should she be permitted to be courted by a fortune hunter. A fortune hunter is one thing I will absolutely not abide.”
And that was the death knoll to any flicker of hope Harry might have had. While he cared little for Athena’s dowry, he knew himself to be pathetically short of funds. In the eyes of the world, even in the eyes of his best friend, Harry would be seen as that most despised of creatures: the dreaded fortune hunter.
“I believe I can steer Miss Lancaster clear of any undesirable types,” Harry said, resigning himself to a torturous few months—weeksif Athena was as popular as he expected she would be.
“Then let us hope she does not descend upon you with demands and ideas.” Adam shook his head with weary disbelief. “Youwill hardly be rid of her through the Little Season.”
Hardly be rid of her.
A smile crept across Harry’s face.
A few weeks with Athena. The few hours he’d spent with her after Adam’s wedding had been more than pleasant. He’dspent time with her again over the Christmas holiday. Athena and her sisters had arrived at Falstone Castle that spring several weeks before Harry’s departure for London. The sweetness of her disposition had been obvious—another trait she shared with her sister—but so had her keen mind and witty sense of humor. It had only deepened his attraction to her.
“So when do I begin my duties?” Harry asked, feeling a surge of anticipation.
“As soon as the ladies are content with her wardrobe. Heaven knows that could take time.”
Harry nodded absently. The next few weeks would be the most acutely torturous of his life, and he would relish every moment.
Chapter Two
VW
A well-bred young lady doesnot cry at a ball.
Athena Lancaster knew that very basic rule. She knew every rule, basic or otherwise, that governed society. She had fastidiously practiced every country dance she’d ever heard of, mentally reviewed the movements of the minuet, though she truly disliked it. She was well-versed in the many intricacies and nuances of wielding her fan and the message each movement was meant to convey. Athena had studied the copy of Debrett’s she’d found in her brother-in-law’s library—having slipped into that room when she was absolutely certain His Grace was away from home—and was confident she could place every member of the aristocracy into their respective families. She had trembled through her presentation and had managed not to disgrace herself before the queen. She was gowned in the first stare of fashion, her gold ringlets coiffed flatteringly.
And Athena was moments from sobbing.
She had pictured her first ball hundreds of times as a young girl. She had imagined standing poised and confident, smiling bewitchingly at the fashionable gentlemen she would meet. Athena had danced in her dreams with confidence and grace. Never in all her imaginings had she seen herself sitting on an exceedingly uncomfortable chair watching the dances slip past without a single soul soliciting her hand.
“Such a beauty,” she had heard countless people say over the years. “With her sweet nature and lovely countenance, MissAthena will make a grand match.” She had rather counted on being a success, but not in a preening or self-absorbed way. Indeed, she had often seen that forthcoming “grand match” as the answer to all her family’s problems. A well-heeled gentleman who loved her enough to marry her without a penny to her name would certainly possess enough generosity to save her loved ones from the threat of poverty. She had planned on it.
Athena glanced around the glittering ballroom once more. Couples glided through the steps of a country dance. Athena knew the movements by heart. How she had practiced and reviewed! Just that morning she had spent a full hour studiously covering every dance she might possibly be called on to perform. She ought to have rehearsed being rejected; that would most certainly have proven more useful.
The attempt at wit helped keep the tears at bay for the moment.
At least, Athena told herself, she’d danced once upon first arriving. Her brother in-law, the infamous Duke of Kielder, had—no doubt at the request of his wife, Athena’s older sister, Persephone—stood up with her for the length of an entire quadrille. Immediately after which he had taken up his post just behind Athena’s chair. Adam, as His Grace had suggested she call him when they were at home—again, probably at the suggestion of his wife—was not overly fond of going about in society. And society, Athena was fairly certain, rather supported him in that preference. He frightened people. He terrified Athena.
Around her the music was coming to its conclusion, another dance ending. With a mighty effort, Athena kept the tears at bay as she cast her eyes about, hoping a gentleman would magically materialize and request her hand for the next set. She had been at the Debensham’s ball for nearly two hours. The next set was the supper dance. Many gentlemen had approached. Athenahad offered a tentative smile. And, every time, moments before reaching her side, each gentleman’s expression had turned from approval to dismay, and they had simply walked past her. One had actually turned on the spot and walked back in the direction from which he had come. Athena felt heat stain her cheeks as she remembered the embarrassment of that moment.
She closed her eyes for a moment, forced a calming breath, and silently uttered yet another prayer. She would survive. No matter what else went wrong, she would survive. The Lancasters were nothing if not persevering.
“Miss Lancaster.”
The sound of a gentleman’s voice so near her startled Athena. She opened her eyes, afraid her sudden nervousness would be embarrassingly obvious. Her discomfort slid away in an instant.
“Hello, Mr. Windover,” she said with palpable relief. Mr. Windover was unfailingly kind and could be counted on to lighten even the most difficult of situations. At that moment, he was a godsend.
“About time you got here, you worthless maggot,” Adam said behind Athena. She tensed at his voice, the way she always did.
“I missed you too, Your Grace.” Mr. Windover grinned up at the single most dangerous man in the room. Only Mr. Windover could have done as much.
Athena very nearly smiled for the first time in hours. Adam was less frightening when Mr. Windover was nearby.
