Page 53 of The Duke's Indecent Match
“Good morning, miss,” Margaret said, her voice forcefully cheerful.
“Good morning.”Kalina said the words, though she did not truly believe them.Forcing herself to sit up, she blinked as Margaret opened the heavy curtains, revealing a gray and cloudy day.Perfect to go with her mood.
Margaret cleared her throat.
“I’ve been told to get your things ready to move this afternoon,” the maid said, looking nervously at Kalina to gauge her reaction.“Apparently, the duke has decided that you two will immediately remove to his estate following the ceremony.”
“I see.”Kalina rubbed her forehead.It made sense.Beginning their marriage under the scrutiny of Lady Astrid’s guests hardly sounded appealing.Especially since her father numbered among them, and she presumed that feelings between her soon-to-be husband and her father would be strained, to say the least.
But she also wished she had her mother and Tiffany nearby for support.
Tiffany had promised she would speak to Lady Astrid and Delilah about Kalina’s innocence in the entrapment of Hereford.She had also offered to stand for Kalina today, which Kalina would be forever grateful for.One friend standing by her side was more than she had hoped for yesterday morning.
“You will be coming with me?”Kalina asked Margaret, who nodded firmly, to her relief.She would have insisted if Hereford had tried to dismiss her lady’s maid, but she was glad not to have to add to their already rocky start.
“Just try to keep me away,” she said darkly, which made Kalina smile.Margaret’s protectiveness over her was very appreciated at the moment.Giving herself a little shake, the maid pushed a smile onto her lips.“Now, then.You need to look your absolute best today.I’ll send for a tray from the kitchen, then work on your hair.”
“Thank you, Margaret.”Filled with gratitude, Kalina got to her feet and pulled on her dressing gown while Margaret bustled around.
She managed to eat a little while Margaret brushed and began to curl and pin her hair.Though her stomach was decidedly uneasy, it did settle somewhat once there was something in it.By the time there was another knock at her door, her hair was perfectly coiffed, and she had on her erstwhile wedding dress.Margaret had just done up the last button.
Hurrying over to the door, Margaret stepped back.
“Lady Astrid, miss.”
Sweeping into the room, Lady Astrid gave Kalina a searching look.Immediately, Kalina bobbed into a curtsy, the way she would have before they’d become friends.The lady scowled.
“Oh, stop that.I am seriously displeased, angry even, but that does not mean you should go back to treating me as though we are not friends.”The lady’s tone was waspish, but Kalina was strangely glad to hear it because there was also some warmth to it.Unlike yesterday when she’d been so distantly cold.Especially because of what Lady Astrid was saying.
With how angry she had been yesterday, Kalina had assumed their friendship was over.Now, she was not so certain.
As always, Lady Astrid was intimidatingly resplendent, even more so than usual, as she was dressed for the wedding.Her gown was the deep orange of a sunset, patterned with thin stripes which were a paler shade of the same color, and trimmed with creamy lace.Rows of copper bands ringed the bottom of her skirt, adding another touch of decoration to the stunning assembly.Like Kalina, her auburn hair was pulled back, curled, and coiffed to perfection.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she glanced at Margaret, as if trying to decide whether to dismiss Kalina’s ladies’ maid.Rather than forcing the issue, Margaret seemed to decide that Kalina was safe with Lady Astrid and quickly sank into a curtsy before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.Leaving them alone.
Arms still crossed, Lady Astrid looked at Kalina, tilting her head as if trying to think of what she was going to say.Though Kalina could not see her feet, she got the distinct impression that Lady Astrid was tapping one of them.
“I spoke with Tiffany this morning.And Mei.Both of whom felt I misunderstood you during our last conversation.”Lady Astrid scowled.“You apologized for trapping Hereford into marriage.Yet Tiffany made some very astute points about the illogic of your actions if you were, indeed, involved in his presence in your room.Did your father act without your knowledge?”It was more than a question; it was a demand for information, for the truth.
Kalina hesitated because she hated feeling as though she was betraying her father, but she nodded.Hehaddone the deed.In some ways, it could be said that he had betrayed her first.
Lady Astrid sighed, dropping her arms.
“Then I must apologize for losing my temper yesterday and the way I spoke to you.”She smiled ruefully.“Tiffany thinks before she acts… or reacts.I have a tendency to do the exact opposite.And once I’d had more time to think, I had to agree with all the points she made.”
“There is no need to apologize,” Kalina said hastily.“You were upset, rightfully so.I also reacted poorly in the moment, and I did not know what to do to make things right.I also… I know my father’s actions were dishonorable, but…” She spread her hands helplessly.“He’s still my father.”
She wanted to protect him.
He was her father.Despite what he’d done, she loved him.
Lady Astrid huffed.
“Yes, well.Family can be complicated.”She smiled wanly.“Sometimes, we do incomprehensible things for their sake.”The way she said it made Kalina think that she was not actually talking about Kalina and her father, but about herself.Perhaps something to do with the fact that she was betrothed to the son of her mother’s closest friend, even though she claimed not to be able to stand the man.
“Thank you for understanding,” Kalina whispered, unable to speak any louder as her throat clogged up.She could hardly have enough water left in her body for a single tear, yet it felt as though she might cry again from sheer relief.
“I am sorry I did not take the time to listen to you yesterday.”Lady Astrid stepped forward, holding out her hands, which Kalina gratefully took, and they exchanged cheek kisses.When they pulled apart, Lady Astrid kept hold of her hands, and Kalina blinked back the threatening tears.“I believe you can expect Delilah to speak with you at some point today as well.She wanted to come with me, but well…” Lady Astrid shrugged.“If I must apologize for something, I prefer to do so without an audience.”
