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

it.
    Once the maid left, Lucy helped Amanda out of her gown, and she washed her face and hands.
    “I thought you were not due down until quarter to five?” Lucy asked as she laced Amanda’s gown.
    “Lord Throughgood will be here at half four.”
    Her maid’s eyes widened. “You’d better hurry.”
    She shrugged off the temptation to tell her maid that was what she was trying to do. Lucy was the daughter of a senior maid and had been raised around the estate. Although she was terribly clever with Amanda’s clothing and hair, Lucy could be rather slow in other areas. Amanda had always thought it might be because her maid cared only about fashion, which was no bad trait in a lady’s maid.
    “I’ll have your hair done in no time.”
    Minutes later, she began to rush toward the stairs, but a voice from Meg’s room brought Amanda to a halt. Her friend was engaging in an angry tirade about Lord Hawksworth and her. What could that be about?
    She took a step toward the door. After a few moments, her friend stopped talking, and Amanda continued to her meeting with Lord Throughgood. As she entered the drawing room next to the dining room, he turned and smiled. She would have to discuss what she had heard Meg say, but it could wait.
    She walked forward, meeting him half-way. When he took her hands and kissed them, she almost cried with happiness.
    His deep blue gaze captured hers. “I have missed you.”
    “I missed you as well.”
    He squeezed her fingers, but the feeling was much different than when Lord Hawksworth had done the same. This time warmth filled her hands and heart. “I hope you do not mind, but I met with your father before leaving Town and asked permission to court you.”
    “Did you?” He nodded, and a heat that had nothing to do with the fires or her shawl surged through her, and even though it was dark outside, the sun shone over her. “Perhaps it is time that you call me Amanda when we are in private.”
    “Only if you call me Chuffy.”
    “Chuffy?” She couldn’t help giggling a bit. “Is that your real name or a nickname?”
    He grinned ruefully. “Charles is my true name, but my father is Charles, so I’ve always been Chuffy.”
    She twined her fingers with his. “I think it is a wonderful nickname. It fits you somehow.” She paused, thinking about their courtship. “Does my mother know?”
    “I haven’t given it any thought. I would assume your father informed her. Naturally, I told my parents. My mother is planning to have you visit our home even more times than we had thought. I believe arrangements have been made with Lady Bellamny.”
    Amanda’s brow had creased, but it cleared when Chuffy explained what was planned. He was sure she was the right lady for him, and had not wanted the delay. But as she had suspected, Mr. Hiller had insisted that Mrs. Hiller and Amanda meet Chuffy’s parents before a final agreement to wed was made. He found himself chafing under the delay, but was not so rash as to oppose his future father-in-law, and therefore presented the proposal they had discussed before Amanda had left Town.
    “Yes, that will do nicely—if they get along, that is.” The crease on her forehead had returned.
    He led her to a small sofa. “Having been out of the country for so long, my family is a bit unusual. They are not ones to stand on ceremony at home and among friends.” He began to wonder if their families would like one another. “Will your mother mind?”
    Amanda tilted her head to the side. “I do not believe so. However, the only way to find out is when they meet.” She gazed into his eyes and smiled. “In any event, I do not believe they will need to be the best of friends in order for us to make our decision.” That was exactly what he had wished to hear. “I do hope they get on well. It will make our lives easier.”
    “As do I, but my mother and grandmother could barely stand the sight of one another. Then again, they were a continent