Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden Read Free Book Online Page A

ill-fitting jacket or a poorly tied cravat or a inferiorly shod foot could spell social disaster for one less well-versed in such things as I.” He smiled that devastating smile Athena had first noticed as he’d taken his seat at their table.
    “You are considered something of a leader in the world of gentlemen’s fashions,” Harry acknowledged.
    “Quite right,” Mr. Peterbrook answered. “It is one of the few distinctions of which a gentleman may be truly proud.”
    “Indeed?” Athena replied, unable to entirely hide the disbelief in her voice.
    Mr. Peterbrook smiled at her as if she had wholeheartedly concurred with him.
    “I believe the Duke of Kielder is considered to be a gentleman of significant influence in Parliament,” Athena said. “Do you not consider that a distinction of which he might be proud?”
    Athena thought she saw Harry force back a smile but did not look away from Mr. Peterbrook long enough to know for sure.
    “As His Grace is always quite well-togged, being influential in the government while impressively attired could, I suppose, be considered an accomplishment worth noting. Though, one cannot overlook the fact that he could never be considered handsome.”
    “You place a great deal of importance upon appearances, Mr. Peterbrook.” Anyone who truly knew Persephone would have recognized the ice in her tone. Adam’s face was badly scarred during his childhood, which was, no doubt, the reason behind Mr. Peterbrook’s declaration of Adam as not handsome. Persephone would never take such a comment lightly. But Mr. Peterbrook, as Athena was coming to expect was usual for him, took Persephone’s words as a compliment.
    “What could possibly be more important, Your Grace?” he asked with a broad and probably well-rehearsed smile.
    The man was as shallow as a puddle. What could be more important than appearances? Could he actually believe that? It very much seemed he did.
    “And I further feel,” Mr. Peterbrook continued, oblivious to the lack of enthusiasm among his companions, “that when one is blessed with excessively good looks”—another flashing white smile—“one is, not to put it too lightly, required to complement such physical beauty with those things that will enhance the nearly flawless handiwork of nature.”
    “Nearly flawless?” Persephone repeated, the ice in her tone joined by a hint of barely repressed laughter.
    “So I have been told.” Mr. Peterbrook straightened his unwrinkled sleeve.
    Athena spoke, almost as if she could not help herself, as if the absurdity of what Mr. Peterbrook was saying absolutely forced her to seek some degree of understanding. “You must have an opinion, then, of who shares with you the distinction of being ‘nearly flawless.’”
    “There are many,” he replied, “who come close.”
    “But do not equal your level of . . .” Athena searched for the right word.
    “Perfection,” Mr. Peterbrook supplied without a hint of hesitation.
    “Is there no one, sir, who can equal you, then?” Athena asked, beginning to feel her dislike of Mr. Peterbrook’s character surpassing her admiration for his very handsome countenance.
    Mr. Peterbrook’s gaze turned speculative and evaluative. Athena stiffened under his gaze, knowing she was being sized up. “Miss Lancaster,” he said, approval in his tone, “should you acquire a carriage dress of green in a shade matching that of your eyes, I daresay I would not be at all ashamed to be seen riding out with you. Indeed, I do believe that should we be seen together—you in green and I in the deep blue that so complements my own peerless eyes—we should be considered quite a handsome couple. And being in my company could only raise your appeal in the eyes of all who see us together.”
    Athena had no idea whether to thank the man or to be affronted. As it was, she simply sat, mute and confused, as Mr. Peterbrook smiled approvingly.
    “You certainly have a very unique way of bestowing a