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Damon.
    “Yes, of course I shall attend.” At least he had received an invitation, although he had not answered it. On the other hand, he had discovered last Season that unwed heirs to wealthy dukedoms were never turned away. “Throughgood, I assume you will be present as well?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it.” His friend gave Miss Hiller a lingering look, and Damon began to feel as if he was missing out on something important.
    He held up his crop in a salute. “Until this evening.”
    Chuffy drove off, and Damon headed toward home. There was no reason to be in the Park if Miss Featherton was absent.
    He sent a prayer to the Deity that he had chosen the right house party to attend. The real question was how long would it take for her to recover from Tarlington, and what could Damon do to help her along?
     
    “My lord.” Amanda watched as Lord Hawksworth rode away. This was the perfect time to discover how Lord Throughgood felt about Meg. “What do you think about Lord Hawksworth’s interest in Miss Featherton?”
    Lord Throughgood was quiet for a few moments. “It is my belief that he has serious intentions.” He glanced at Amanda. “You are her friend. Do you like the possibility of a match?”
    She wished she could have been as direct as Lord Hawksworth had been, but uncertainty over Lord Throughgood’s feelings toward her made her parry. “Can you think of anyone better suited?”
    He grinned. “Not at present. Are you of a matchmaking disposition, Miss Hiller?”
    “Oh no.” Flustered, she pleated her skirts. “I mean, not usually. It is only that Miss Featherton is so sad right now, and I do want her to be happy. What do you know of him?”
    “We are old school friends and have not seen much of each other in recent years. That said, we have kept in touch . . .” He gave Amanda a glowing report of his friend. Then his lordship’s much larger hand covered hers, stopping the destruction of her gown. “I am of a mind to leave Hawksworth to the business of making your friend happy. What I would like to know is how you would feel if I were to visit you while you are attending Lady Bellamny’s house party. My father’s estate is only a few miles from it.”
    Her hands stilled completely, and tears of happiness rushed to her eyes. She blinked rapidly before gazing at him. “I would very much like to see you there.”
    “In that case, the moment I return to my rooms, I shall write to my mother and ask her to arrange invitations to some of the parties.”
    “How much longer are you in Town?” Suddenly, Christmas seemed very far off, and she wanted to spend as much time getting to know him as possible.
    “I have no plans to leave much before Christmas.”
    That was good. She glanced up from beneath her eyelashes. “Will I see you tomorrow evening?”
    “I sent my response immediately. I would not miss the opportunity to dine with you en famille . Will you grant me the supper dance at the ball? If you are not already spoken for, that is.”
    This was all Amanda had hoped for. She was sorry that he had lost his uncle and cousin, but glad the circumstances had brought Lord Throughgood home. She might never have met him otherwise.
    She felt as if the sun was shining directly over her, brightening and warming everything. “The dance is yours, my lord.”
    He grinned at her, completing her happiness. “Thank you. I will hope that the time between your leaving Town and the house party goes quickly.”
    “As will I.” Amanda counted the days and wondered how many of them she could spend with Lord Throughgood.
    Then she remembered poor Meg. Yet today had solidified Amanda’s conviction that Lord Hawksworth was the right gentleman for her friend. And that Lord Throughgood might very well be the perfect man for her. Now all she had to do was find a way to bring Meg around.
     
    Meg would never have believed there were still so many people in Town, but the ballroom could not possibly hold another person. She