Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore Read Free Book Online Page A

skirmish near Badajoz. Pointless, really.”
    Lord Featherstone nodded his head knowingly and stroked his fuzzy lip. “One may think that, sir. However, even the smallest engagements are important. As the poet said, ‘But what good came of it at last? Why that I cannot tell, said he. But ’twas a famous victory.’”
    Meg’s head whipped around. Her eyes met the colonel’s, and she saw that he was every bit as appalled as she. The man did not only misunderstand Shakespeare, but Southey too. She clenched her fists, digging her fingernails into her palms, and hurried from the room before her mouth got the better of her and she corrected the man again.
    Lucinda waited for her in the hall and linked arms as the two walked to the drawing room to wait for the men to finish their port. “I should like to provide a bit of advice, Meg. I hope you will not take offense.”
    “Of course not,” Meg said, knowing she would likely do just that. Although she had only known Lady Lucinda Poulter for a matter of one meal, she had already surmised her to be the calculating type of female that other young ladies ought to be wary of.
    “Perhaps it is not the case in America, but in Britain, a lady does not correct a gentleman. You would not want to give the impression that you are a bluestocking.”
    Meg’s skin tightened. It was one thing for Lady Vernon to give her never-ending tips on lady-like decorum, but Lucinda too? “Perhaps I simply wanted to give the impression that I have an intelligent thought in my head.”
    She felt Lucinda cringe. “ That is even worse.”
    ***
    When the men joined them, they played at cards and listened to Helen perform on the pianoforte. Meg did her best to avoid Lord Featherstone. She did not wish to speak to a person so completely unfamiliar with classical works, although she could not help but notice that he watched her throughout the evening. Though he did not say or do anything inappropriate, the way he watched her made the hair rise on the back of her neck.
    Two hours later, the members of the party began to separate and bid one another good night. Meg and her brother walked through the great hall toward the staircase.
    Daniel glanced behind him to ensure that they were not within earshot of the others then leaned in to begin a conversation. “What did you think of the earl? He is handsome, is he not?”
    “I suppose,” Meg said, the image of wispy facial hair lingering in her mind. “He certainly does not know his poetry.”
    “One cannot have everything,” Daniel said, winking as they began to walk up the stairs. “And Helen is such an agreeable young lady. And very pretty, don’t you—”
    They were interrupted by Lord Featherstone calling to Meg as he hurried to catch up with them.
    Meg and Daniel descended the few steps to the base of the staircase.
    The earl stopped and gave a small bow. “Miss Margaret Burton, I wondered if you might accompany me tomorrow for a ride in my chaise. That is, with your brother’s consent, of course.” The earl looked to Daniel for permission.
    Daniel nodded. “Certainly.”
    Meg did not know what to say. Why would the earl ask to take her for a ride after she had apparently insulted him? Either he was unaffected by her words or was not one to carry a grudge. She was still formulating an answer when the earl spoke.
    “Very well, shall we say eleven o’clock?” Lord Featherstone bowed quickly and took his leave.
    Daniel bumped Meg’s shoulder with his and waggled his eyebrows as they turned back to the stairs and climbed to the upper floor. “I told you no man could resist your smile. This is going to be easier than we had supposed.”
    Meg’s head began to ache, and she wondered whether it was the trout they had eaten or the thought of spending time with Lord Featherstone and his horrific grasp of literature that made her stomach queasy.

Chapter 4
    The next morning when Meg awoke, she was delighted to see the sun shining through the windows