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

interesting.” He backed away from the carriage. “Have a safe journey home.”
    “It is not even a mile and the roads are well kept.” Chuffy snorted. “Our house is at the far north end of the property. One could walk there faster. Apparently the fourth viscountess wished to be closer to the town and her family.”
    “Family?” Hawksworth raised his brows. “Don’t tell me Lady Bellamny is a connection of yours?”
    “By marriage at least. I have always had the feeling she was connected to pretty much all of the great houses in England.”
    “That does not surprise me. She’s related to my father as well.” He grinned. “Although the last time her name was mentioned around him, he called her an interfering old besom. I shall attempt to avoid you to-morrow.”
    “Please do. Miss Hiller is feeling very guilty about Miss Featherton.”
    Hawksworth barked a laugh. “But not guilty enough to turn you down.”
    Chuffy grinned. “No. She is a loyal friend, not a sacrificial lamb.” Now, though, the thought stuck in his head. “Must ensure she doesn’t do anything like that.”
    “Good idea.” His friend saluted him. “I suppose I’ll see you soon.”
    “No offense, but not if I can help it. Better for me to stay away from here.” He gave his horses the office to start.
    There were enough stars to see the well-maintained road clearly, and as he’d told Hawksworth, the houses were not far apart. He would have to remember to have a conversation with his father about the marriage settlements and ask Amanda’s mother if she could discover when Mr. Hiller was due to arrive. There would also need to be a special license for the wedding; he wished to be wed sooner rather than later.
    Could he manage to have Amanda stay at Grantville until they were wed, then he need not be in Miss Featherton’s orbit at all. No. That wouldn’t work. His mother was hosting a dinner and some other entertainments to which Lady Bellamny’s guests were invited. Not for the first time, he prayed that their ill-run house would meet with Amanda’s approval.
    Chuffy reached home to find his parents had not yet arrived. He was just about to retire when he decided to write missives to them about his concerns. It was only right to give them a warning. Especially Papa. He was just now coming to understand the earldom’s assets and liabilities, and he would need to be conversant in order for the settlement agreements to be drafted.
    After Chuffy dismissed his valet, he poured a brandy. He should not borrow trouble, but he couldn’t rid himself of the thought that as much as Amanda loved him, she might defer to her friend. Then what would he do?
    Damn the devil. He had to do something to ensure she never gave him up.
     
    Meg awoke heavy eyed to the weak winter sun shining onto her face. She was tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. But Hendricks obviously wanted Meg up as soon as possible. Hence the reason for the open curtains.
    “Time you were awake, miss.” Her maid’s cheerful voice broke the silence.
    Meg wanted to complain that the room was too cold to rise, yet the one hand outside of the covers was not at all chilly. The banked fire had probably been stoked hours ago. “I do not understand the rush.”
    “The other ladies and some of the gentlemen are going into the village soon.”
    “I thought that was not planned until this afternoon.” Silence greeted her statement. What time was it? She never slept past nine o’clock. She rose, casting a glance at the mantel clock.
    Noon? Impossible.
    “That cannot be correct. I was in bed by eleven o’clock, as you well know.”
    “What I know, miss, is that you haven’t been sleeping well for weeks now. It was bound to catch up with you. I have your breakfast coming. Some of the ladies broke their fast in their chambers, so it won’t look strange that you did as well.” Hendricks threw the covers off Meg. “What will look odd is if you don’t go with them to the town.