Page 16 of Courting Miss Lancaster
“Then why amIdealing with him?” Adam demanded. “You are supposed to be sorting all this out and leaving me out of it.”
“I confess I hadn’t anticipated a letter,” Harry said, barely managing not to chuckle. “And I cannot prevent others from trying the same approach.”
“I’ll pack her up and leave Town,” Adam informed him, a promise blatant in his tone.
It was a tempting prospect. If Athena was not in London making her bows to society, she would not be snatched up, and he, Harry, would not have to endure losing her. But Athena, he knew, would be devastated. As much as seeing her married to another would pain him, he could not bring himself to be party to anything that would so thoroughly disappoint her.
“Perhaps I ought to subtly spread word around the clubs that the Duke of Kielder will not endure impertinent letters from prospective suitors for the hand of his sister-in-law.” Harry smiled amusedly. It would not be the first time he had started whispered warnings amongst the gentlemen of society. He liked to think he’d saved many a rash man from the heart-stopping experience of finding himself on the wrong side of His Grace, the Dangerous Duke of Kielder.
Adam nodded. “But not subtly.”
“Not subtly. I shall be direct and obvious and will even manage to look pale with fright. The entiretonwill be too afraid to so much as send you an invitation let alone any actual correspondence.”
Adam gave him a look clearly communicating that for all of society to be so entirely overcome with fear would hardly be disappointing.
“Anything else I ought to warn our fellow men about where Athena is concerned?” Harry chuckled.
“Impertinence is annoying but endurable. However, I will not countenance fortune hunters,” Adam said. “I can practicallysmell them coming out of the sewers every time her name comes up. The size of her dowry is well-known. I will not have her snatched up by some pathetic excuse for a man who needs her money like Mr. Howard obviously needed a tutor. Let the gentlemen know I have certain standards where a suitor’s bank account is concerned.”
No glib comment came to mind. It was a directive. Adam had just expressly forbade any gentleman lacking in funds from courting Athena. Harry was officially and inarguably ineligible.
“Oh, dear. This appears to be a very serious discussion.” Persephone was standing in the doorway smiling.
“Harry is causing trouble,” Adam replied.
“For you as well?” Persephone said, stepping inside and looking on the verge of laughter. “Harry seems to have made quite a handful of enemies in this house today.”
“Who else is upset with him?” Adam asked, all outward appearance indicating he was entirely serious. Only the slightest hint of amusement existed in his voice.
Persephone crossed to the desk, tapping her lower lip with her finger as if thinking. Her eyes were twinkling mischievously. “Daphne is apparently put out over what she called Harry’s ‘shocking lack of punctuality.’” Harry was certain Adam almost laughed. “Artemis is upset because Daphne is back in the nursery, and she was ‘absolutely depending’ on an hour without her sister. Athena is looking daggers at this very moment and muttering about the unthinkable punishments she plans to heap on Harry’s head.” She gave Harry a pointed look that was both laughing and entertained.
“Why is Athena upset with me?” Harry asked, not nearly as diverted as he had been by the younger girls’ complaints.
“I leave it to you to find out.”
“Unfair,” Harry complained with a smile.
“But far more enjoyable.”
“Foryou.”
“Precisely.”
“And are you upset with Harry as well?” Adam asked Persephone.
“At the moment I am quite put out with him.” But Persephone’s smile had only grown.
“And why is that?” Adam asked.
Persephone sat on the edge of Adam’s desk, facing him, and reached out one hand to lightly brush a tuft of hair from his face. Persephone’s hand trailed down Adam’s face to rest along his jaw, her smile turning softer and far too intimate for Harry’s comfort.
“Harry,” Adam said authoritatively.
“Yes, Adam,” Harry said.
“Get out.”
Harry laughed and rose from his seat, moving quickly to the door. He glanced back before stepping out of the room only to be greeted with the sight of Adam pulling Persephone into his arms.Lucky dog.
