Read Courting Miss Lancaster for Free Online Page B

approach Adam to ask for her hand, but, more importantly, because a lily-livered husband would inevitably ostracize Athena from her family. Adam had no patience with cowards and would make the hypothetical gentleman excessively uncomfortable whenever they were in company. In the end, it would mean estrangement between Athena and her sisters.
    “Miss Lancaster is dancing with Mr. Howard,” Dalforth said, motioning subtly toward the dance floor with his chin. “I do not believe she will thank you for that introduction, Windover.” Dalforth was smiling amusedly.
    Harry laughed in spite of himself. “I did not make the introduction in order to secure her gratitude.”
    Dalforth turned an inquisitive glance on Harry. “You wished to upset her?” he asked, censure lacing his tone.
    “Not at all,” Harry reassured him. Apparently Dalforth considered himself something of a protector where Athena was concerned. Harry didn’t like that thought one bit. “The young lady is quite inexperienced with the world,” Harry explained, “and knows little of people and characters. I believe she will benefit from knowing a variety of gentlemen, so she can make a more informed decision when the time comes to bestow her affections.”
    “And you felt she would benefit from making the acquaintance of an absolute bore?” Dalforth chuckled, his good humor apparently restored.
    Harry smiled. “So she would come to appreciate the importance of a gentleman who does have some of her same interests.”
    “Or any interests at all,” Dalforth added, laughter bubbling just below the surface. “Mr. Howard is something of a dull dog, but he is harmless.”
    “Precisely,” Harry answered, feeling an unasked-for rapport with the gentleman.
    “You seem to fit very naturally into the role of avuncular guide.”
    Avuncular? The irony of that word choice was enormous. His feelings for Athena were as far from that of a fond uncle as seemingly possible. But Dalforth’s words proved Harry was putting a convincing face on his interactions with her.
    His eyes followed Athena as she and Mr. Howard passed down the line of dancers in their set. The look of confused surprise most people wore around Howard momentarily crossed her features, and Harry wondered what the man had said to bring that look to her face. Perhaps another tree? Harry smiled at the thought.
    Howard was making more than one point on Harry’s behalf. Being conversant was all well and good. But the ability to engage in conversation that was intellectual on even a minimal level was far preferable. Athena, Harry was certain, was beginning to see that.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Harry spotted the very person he’d been on the lookout for all evening. Mr. Cameron Peterbrook met all of Athena’s expressed requirements. As the younger son of a viscount, he was certainly a gentleman. He was unattached and socially acceptable and, therefore, eligible. Harry knew he was reasonably intelligent, not averse to conversation, and not overly serious. Everything Athena could possibly wish for, it would seem.
    Harry held back a mischievous grin and strode across the ballroom.
    * * *
    Harry appeared to be in a good mood. Not that Athena had ever seen him in anything but good spirits. He simply seemed to be smiling even more than usual. Perhaps, she thought to herself, he was simply happy for her. This ball—the second of her Season—had been a far better experience than her first.
    Just as he had at the Debensham’s, Harry had claimed her supper dance and was, therefore, accompanying her and Persephone to the supper room. “Thank you, Mr. Windover,” Athena said as he laid her plate in front of her. Formality was needed in a social setting unless their voices were lowered enough not to be overheard. “Most especially for the macaroons.” She smiled.
    “I seem to remember they are a favorite of yours,” Harry replied, his eyes laughing. “Artemis, you will recall, has predicted you will die