Courting Miss Lancaster Read Online Free PDF

list had become a little more specific—precisely what he had hoped for. But it was hardly specific enough to prevent a catastrophic misalliance . The question remained: which absolutely essential character trait ought he to convince her of next?

Chapter 4
    Obviously, it had been a bad idea.
    Athena tensed, watching Adam out of the corner of her eye. He was not happy. At all. They were moments from departing for another ball, one Adam had no intention of attending. It had seemed an opportune time for Persephone to bring up a very touchy subject. But it hadn’t worked as well as Athena and her sister had hoped.
    “Every young lady making her debut must have a come-out ball, Adam,” Persephone said quietly but firmly. “And it would be exceptionally badly done of us not to host it for her. You are her guardian, her brother-in-law, her sponsor in society. It falls to us to give Athena her ball.”
    “I danced with her at Debensham’s,” Adam replied curtly. “Society will not expect more of me.”
    Athena was close enough to them in the drawing room to overhear Persephone and Adam’s conversation but far enough away to be unnoticed by them. Feeling tense and worried, Athena sat on a straight-backed chair and lightly rubbed her fingers against her forehead, closing her eyes and willing the disagreement to end swiftly. Persephone had been so certain Adam would agree to the ball. Athena didn’t want to push him beyond his limit. She had heard of the duke’s infamous temper. Though she had not personally been witness to any violence on his part, she did not doubt that he was every bit as harsh as his reputation painted him.
    “Do not declare defeat yet,” Mr. Windover said quietly from just beside her. He had listened to the proposal of a ball at Falstone House but had not joined the ensuing debate. “Adam did not say no outright. He would have if he were absolutely set against the ball.”
    “But he is so obviously unhappy about the idea,” Athena answered quietly. As always, Mr. Windover’s presence was calming. “I don’t see how we can ever convince him to agree to it.”
    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.
    “And 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