Page 48 of Married to the Forbidden Duke
As Alice engaged the young man in more conversation, speaking with far more presence than he once would have presumed her capable of, Frederick thought back to what he knew of the boy—which was little.
He was the younger brother to Lord Henshaw, a gentleman approaching thirty who had done little with his time or title other than drink and make merry. Everyone knew him well as a rake. He, too, was here somewhere, his connections having gotten him an invitation. But as far as Frederick knew, Mr. Kingsley, as was often the case with younger brothers, was a far more sensible man. He had to be, given his future was not assured.
The army certainly was a respectable position for him, and if he did well for himself, it would be a comfortable life. They would not have above two horses and one carriage, he imagined, andwould not be able to afford a permanent residence in London, but he doubted Helena—a girl whose nose was always in a book—would care much for that regardless.
He could certainly see her doing worse for herself than a captain, provided he was granted the position.
“I have another question, sir,” Alice suddenly said, her heart-shaped face open as she looked up at Mr. Kingsley. “Are you a man of constancy?”
The man flushed. “I like to consider myself so, yes.”
“And if you were to come back as a captain and Lady Helena had not married?”
“Alice,” Frederick murmured. “Don’t embarrass the man.”
Alice smiled kindly. “I’m on your side,” she explained. “I think one should marry for love if at all possible, and when there is love, I believe the best course is to follow where it leads.
“If you feel that strong affection for Lady Helena, and she returns it, and she is content with the life you can provide her, then I see no reason why you should not marry. But tell me, in two years, will you feel the same way? Because where there is no love, it is foolishness to throw oneself into a permanent institution.”
Mr. Kingsley paled, but he offered her a stiff, formal bow. “My heart and mind will remain unchanged no matter how much time passes, Your Grace.”
Alice grinned. “Excellent. Come, Your Grace.”
Frederick bowed his head to the other man and followed his outspoken wife to the table of refreshments. She turned to him, a glass of punch in her hand and an expression of unusual openness on her face.
“What do you think about him?” she asked. “Do you think he would make for a good husband?”
“I think you near scared him out of his wits.” Frederick folded his arms and leaned against a pillar. “He doesn’t even know you.”
“When one marries, they must defend their choice to the world at large, and they cannot know everyone in it,” Alice pointed out. “Besides, if I am to help her, I should know that he will treat her well.”
“And do you think he will?”
She hesitated, and music started up. Frederick glanced at the line of dancers. A waltz—a relatively new addition to drawing rooms, but one that would allow them some opportunity for private conversation. And, if he was honest, he wanted to gethis wife in his arms again. This seemed like the best excuse to achieve that.
He held out his hand. “Dance with me?” he asked, and she looked up at him, eyes magnetic, lips slightly parted.
He yearned to kiss her.
He yearned to do unspoken things to her when they got back home. But for now, he would settle for a dance.
“I can’t,” she murmured after a second. “My leg—”
“We don’t have to get the steps perfect.”
Slowly, her fingers curled around his. “Catch me if I fall?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alice knew she shouldn’t be dancing with her husband, but she couldn’t stop herself.
As he swung her into his arms, she felt as though the world had shuddered to a stop and it was just the two of them. Just his arms around her, one clasping her hand and the other at her waist, holding her to him. Indecently close, she supposed, but he had the added excuse of her leg. She couldn’t do the steps, but he didn’t seem to require it from her, just gently gliding to the sway of the music.
Her body tingled every place they touched. Her temptation was to move away, but instead, she moved closer. He tilted his chin at her.
“Well? Do you think William Kingsley is the right man for Helena?”
