Page 9 of Courting Miss Lancaster
She glanced at Mr. Windover. He was smiling as usual. And there was a look in his eyes she had learned to recognize as she’d come to know him better. It was silent laughter, not at anyone’s expense, but from an inherent enjoyment of life. He obviously felt himself equal to the task of convincing the society-shunning duke to invite hordes of the Upper Ten-thousand into his home. Athena gave him a look of silent challenge, daring him to live up to the promise in his expression. Harry’s smile turned into something resembling both a smirk and a grin.
“You realize, of course, Adam,” Mr. Windover interrupted the conversation between husband and wife without the slightest hint of remorse, “you will be obligated to extend an invitation to our esteemed prince when you begin the arduous task of making a guest list.”
Adam’s head snapped in Mr. Windover’s direction, his expression hardened and fiery.
“Mr. Windover,” Athena whispered urgently.
“Have some faith, m’dear,” Mr. Windover said under his breath. Full voice, he continued addressing Adam. “I, for one, will be waiting on tenterhooks to see if he will attend or not.”
“You think the prince would dare refuse the invitation?” Adam threw back.
“Do you wish him to attend?” Mr. Windover asked.
“I would rather walk stark naked through Hyde Park.”
“Adam,” Persephone scolded, throwing a quick glance in Athena’s direction. She probably ought to have been scandalized. But the time she’d spent with her brother-in-law had taught her to not be surprised by anything he might say. Frightened, perhaps, but not surprised.
“Yet if the prince does not attend the ball—” Mr. Windover continued.
“I’ll call the ball of mutton out,” Adam announced firmly.
“And therein lies the entertainment value,” Mr. Windover explained, smiling and leaning back casually in his chair near Athena. “Our prince will receive an invitation he dare not refuse but is terrified to accept.”
Adam was silent. And absolutely still. Athena’s eyes flicked between everyone in the room. Persephone was watching Adam, her expression hopeful. Mr. Windover wore his usual look of casual amusement. Adam looked intensely thoughtful.
“Georgie was irritatingly rude at the last drawing room,” Adam said. ByGeorgie,Athena assumed he meant the prince, though she had never heard him referred to that way.
“Heart-stopping fear can do that to a fellow,” Harry observed.
Athena held back a smile.
“The spineless lump of dough deserves a moment of abject humiliation,” Adam declared as if insulting one’s prince was quite a normal thing for a person to do. “Plan your ball, Persephone,” Adam ordered. “But allowmeto word the royal invitation.”
“Let us leave your sister to express her gratitude,” Mr. Windover suggested quietly and offered Athena his hand to help her rise. As they passed Adam, Mr. Windover said, “I will see that Miss Lancaster has her wrap and ascertain whether the carriage has been brought around.”
“You practically live here, Harry,” Adam said tersely. “If Ihave to listen to the two of youMisterandMisseach other for the rest of the Little Season, one or the other of you is not going to live to see Christmas.”
Athena tensed. But Mr. Windover laughed. “So for our health, if nothing else, we should endeavor to be on a Christian-name basis in family settings.”
“There is noendeavorabout it,” Adam said. “You will do so.”
“But you never have called me out, Adam,” Harry answered. “And you have promised to do so many times.”
“Do not tempt me.”
“How shall I spend my excessive free time if I abandon one of my favorite hobbies?”
Adam’s eyes narrowed. Athena tugged on Mr. Windover’s arm, concerned that he’d finally pushed Adam too far.
“Harry, do step out,” Persephone insisted. “I have no desire to bid my husband farewell with you in the room offering a running commentary.”
Mr. Windover laughed his infectious chuckle and led Athena from the room. The door was firmly closed behind them.
“They are a little nauseating, aren’t they?” Mr. Windover said.
“I do not understand them,” Athena confessed. “Adam is so surly and unapproachable, and Persephone is so obviously in love with him.”
“Surly and unapproachable.”He seemed to be weighing her word choice. “I do believe that is the tamest set of descriptors I have ever heard attached to Adam’s name.”
