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

through the music, but at Miss Hiller’s last words, stopped. “What kind of scheme?”
    “A good one.” She pressed her lips in a prim manner, reminding him of his sisters’ governess. “Do I mistake the matter, or are you still interested in courting Miss Featherton?”
    “My love!” Throughgood uttered in a shocked tone. “You can’t ask a man something like that.”
    “Indeed I can. I think he cares very much about her. Yet she has been hurt so badly she doesn’t believe she is able to love anyone ever again.” She gazed up at Throughgood. “And I must warn you not to—”
    “Your instincts are correct, Miss Hiller,” Damon interrupted before the conversation could ramble off in other directions. “I am very much interested in Miss Featherton.”
    How Miss Hiller’s smile could have become broader, he didn’t know, but it did. “I knew it. Well, she thinks that I am interested in you.” A low growl emanated from Throughgood. “Of course, I am not at all.” She took Throughgood’s hand twining her fingers with his. “But she said she will do anything to protect me from a rogue such as Lord Hawksworth.”
    Damon wasn’t sure he liked what he was hearing, but... “This is what caused you to develop your plan?”
    “Yes.” She said the word with all the aplomb of having made a great discovery. “She is going to save me from you by allowing you to pay her attentions.”
    He found himself staring at Miss Hiller, not quite understanding how this would help him.
    Fortunately, Throughgood echoed Damon’s doubts. “But how will that help Hawksworth?”
    She glanced from him to Throughgood as if they were lacking in intellect. “Meg and Lord Hawksworth will have to spend a great deal of time together, and she will come to know him. Before long, she will see that he is just the right gentleman for her.”
    Damon considered the idea. Be that as it may, he was not sure that in protecting Miss Hiller from him, Miss Featherton would open herself up to him. On the other hand, he didn’t have a better idea, and it might work. Lowering as it was, somehow Miss Featherton had come to the conclusion he was not to be trusted. He was not so stupid as to believe that he could succeed with her as long as she was set against him. On the other hand, Miss Hiller had a point. If he was able to spend time with Miss Featherton, he could put her mind at ease. Not immediately. That would defeat his purpose, but over the course of several days. “I think it will work. No matter her misgivings, if she believes she is saving you, she must spend time with me.”
    “Precisely,” Miss Hiller said in a tone that reminded him of his tutor when he gave the correct response.
    Throughgood kissed her lightly on the lips. “You are brilliant, my love.”
    “I agree, Miss Hiller. Your idea is splendid.”
    “Now,” Throughgood said to her, “what were you going to warn me about?”
    “I had almost forgot.” She colored a little. “Meg thinks that she would like to wed a man who is undemanding and easy to please. Someone with whom she will not fall in love.”
    “A dead bore,” Damon said, not at all pleased. “She would be leading him around by his nose and not enjoying it at all.”
    Miss Hiller nodded. “I believe you are right. But the thing is that”—she looked at Throughgood—“she thinks Chuffy would do for her.”
    Throughgood’s mouth dropped open. “I—I am almost speechless. I know I have put on some weight, but . . .” He pulled a comical face, then the full ramifications of what Miss Hiller had said seemed to dawn on him. “Good Lord. I must not be around her at all. The embarrassment she would suffer when she discovered the truth would devastate her. Amanda, cannot you tell her about us now?”
    “No, my love. That would not do at all. If I did that, she would have no reason to be in Lord Hawksworth’s company.”
    “Ah yes.” Throughgood grimaced. “Hawksworth, I sincerely trust you