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

have been given strict instructions not to keep you long. It is time we joined the ladies.”
    So Damon had been right about what Lady Bellamny’s earlier look had meant. Needing no further prompting, he rose. Someday he hoped that he and Miss Featherton would come to the point where no words were needed for such communications.
    Smithson quickly drained his glass and reached for the bottle, but the other gentlemen abandoned their seats, making it impossible for the man to have another drink. As it was, his nose was already red.
    Sir Randolph Culpepper, the elderly man who had escorted Mrs. Smithson into dinner, grinned. “Always happy to join my lady. She makes more sense than most people I know.”
    Smithson had frowned, but Damon now had another goal for his marriage. Miss Featherton was one of the most intelligent and clever people he had met. He could easily envision wishing to spend all his time with her.
    Already at the dining room door, Throughgood caught Damon’s eye and waited for him. “Miss Hiller has something she wishes to say to us concerning Miss Featherton. We won’t have an opportunity before Lady Bellamny’s announcement, but afterward we should meet somewhere.”
    The music room was next to the drawing room. “I hope Miss Hiller is musical, as I shall suggest to Lady Bellamny that she give us a few minutes to look over the music before she opens the connecting doors. I sincerely hope you either play or sing?”
    Throughgood grinned. “I do both, but my voice is not as good as I recall yours being.” A sly expression appeared on his face. “We should discover if Miss Featherton is of a musical bent as well.”
    “Excellent idea.” Throughgood and Damon began to stroll out of the dining room. “Do you know if we are the only younger guests?”
    “There are four others, but they might have been held up by the weather, in which case they will not arrive until to-morrow.”
    Damon nodded. The only question that interested him was whether or not that would help him with Miss Featherton. If any of the guests were single gentlemen, he would find a way to deal with them.
    After the guests had gathered in the drawing room and been served tea, Lady Bellamny tapped her spoon against her cup. “We have a few more guests arriving to-morrow, but that need not stop us from visiting the local fair. I believe you will be impressed by the offerings.”
    A fair sounded interesting. Shopping was an activity designed to interest females of all sorts, and there would be sufficient time for Damon to court Miss Featherton.
    A few minutes later, he approached Lady Bellamny with his musical idea.
    “If you can talk the young ladies into performing, I shall agree. Having never been able to carry a note myself, I will not force them.”
    “Miss Hiller is willing. Perhaps if she finds some music that Miss Featherton knows, she will be able to convince her to join us. Throughgood and I shall perform as well.”
    “Excellent. I’ll leave you to it. Open the doors when you are ready.”
    Damon hid his smile. “I shall.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    D amon gathered Throughgood, and thus Miss Hiller, with a glance. They left the drawing room by way of the terrace and re-entered the house through the music room.
    Miss Hiller’s color was high, and she looked as if she would burst with her news.
    “My love.” Throughgood drew Miss Hiller protectively into his arms. “Have you been shocked by someone? If it is Smithson, I shall ensure he is removed—”
    “No, no, nothing like that, I assure you.” She focused her gaze on Damon. “Earlier this evening, I was passing Miss Featherton’s chamber. Although it would not normally occur to me to eavesdrop, I heard my name and thought she was calling me. After a few moments, it became clear that she was speaking to herself. What she said gave me an idea!” She beamed with satisfaction. “I have a scheme that will help you win Miss Featherton.”
    He had been absently thumbing