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

cut the connection with her. He is now in Paris pursuing an American heiress. The plain fact of the matter is that his pockets are to let. His father and grandfather ran the estates down, and he must find a way to build them back up. Under the circumstances, marrying an heiress is his best choice.”
    Bloody hell. “I understand.”
    “That is not all.” Her lips had thinned to the point of disappearing.
    “Isn’t that enough?” What else could the man have done?
    “Last spring, Swindon was courting her.”
    “I’m not familiar with him.”
    “Doesn’t run in your circles. He is violent with women.”
    “He beats them?”
    “He is a flagellant and almost killed his last mistress.”
    Bloody, bloody hell! “I gather she discovered that as well?”
    Lady Bellamny gave one short nod. “Yes.”
    His blood began to boil. “Did he touch her?”
    “No. He is not stupid enough to do anything before marriage. When Featherton found out what the man was, he made it clear that if Swindon ever attempted to court another gently bred lady, his reputation would be destroyed.”
    Thank God for that. No wonder Miss Featherton didn’t trust Damon or men in general. He demolished the last biscuit, then rose. “Thank you.”
    His godmother looked up at him. “What do you intend to do?”
    “Win her trust. It will be hard, but at least now I know what I’m up against.”
    After a few moments she said, “I would not object to the match. She will be at my house party.”
    “So I have been given to understand.” He leaned down and bussed her cheek. “Thank you, Godmamma. Be assured that no matter what happens, I will never hurt her in any fashion.”
    Lady Bellamny patted his cheek as she had when he was a boy. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
    Damon strode out of the house, wondering how to approach a lady who had been betrayed in two such brutal ways in a matter of months. Well, he had just over thirty days to formulate a plan of attack. Something was bound to come to him.

CHAPTER FIVE
    T he next afternoon, Almeria poured tea, passing the cups to Constance and Lucinda. “I have sent an invitation to Lady Grantville and her family for most of the outings and events I have planned. They live so close there is no reason for them to stay with me. Their oldest son, Throughgood, is such a nice young man. I am sure he will get on well with the younger people.”
    “What a wonderful idea.” Lucinda selected a cake from the plate. “It will also allow the Grantvilles to start meeting people. It is a shame they did not come for the Season, but I understand trying to accustom oneself to a new life.” A gleam entered her eyes. “I believe Throughgood is interested in Miss Hiller. At least, I saw him with her in the Park a few times. I do wish my daughter-in-law had not decided to hie off to the country so soon. Getting out around Town would have done Meg more good than sitting at home licking her wounds.”
    “A shame she is taking the business about Tarlington so hard.” Constance’s tone was gruffer than usual. They had all been affected by Meg’s disappointments. “I thought she might come around more quickly than she is.”
    Since last Season, Lucinda had favored Hawksworth for Meg. But until Almeria and her friends had discovered that Tarlington was almost bankrupt and had a longtime mistress, Lucinda was content to allow her granddaughter to select her own husband. “There was no help for it, and we were obliged to warn Meg. She would never have simply accepted her father’s decree that she not wed the man.” Lucinda’s lips thinned and anger flashed in her fine blue eyes. “It is Swindon I’d like to run through.”
    “Indeed.” Constance thumped her silver-headed malacca cane on the carpet. “Men such as he should not look for wives, or not innocent ones. However, I believe Hawksworth will do splendidly for her.”
    “I have thought so since he returned to England. If we had not been so busy with Kit