Page 15 of The Duke's Indecent Match
It was similar to how her mother looked at her father.It was also something she was unlikely to ever have; therefore, there was no point in yearning after it.
“Miss Little, may I have the honor?”The Duke of Montagu stepped up, bowing as he held out her hand, making his request.
There was no polite way to tell him no, even if she wanted to.And she didn’t.Just because she wished another duke had asked first…
Kalina determinedly kept her gaze away from where Hereford was now walking toward the dance floor with Lady Nichole on his arm.She was running out of places to rest her gaze, so she focused on the Duke of Montagu.
The most handsome man in theton.
Blond locks over a wide brow, sparkling blue eyes that promised mischief and something… more.The hard lines of his jaw were softened by the curve of his lips into a charming smile that beguiled a lady’s senses and made her lose her breath, for just an instant.
Yet for all that, he did not have the same effect on her as Hereford.
“Thank you, Your Grace, I would love to.”Kalina put her hand in his and smiled in appreciation that he had asked her.
All eyes turned to them as he led her out onto the dance floor, but it was different from any other time she’d been asked to dance.Then again, she’d never been asked to dance by the extremely eligible, shockingly handsome Duke of Montagu.
“They are all going to pay attention to you now,” he said cheerfully as he turned toward her on the rapidly filling dance floor.The first few notes came from the piano as Lady Astrid ran her fingers over the keys.
Kalina frowned up at Montagu.
“All the other dukes?”
Leaning forward so he was almost scandalously close, he winked at her.It was like a wave rippled out from them, through the room.She did not need to look to see the reactions from everyone as the Duke of Montagu blatantly flirted with her in the middle of a ballroom.It did not matter that it was at a house party.It did not matter that he had not previously stirred her senses in the same manner as Hereford.
When the Duke of Montagu focused all of his attention—his charm—on her, it took her breath away.
“Everyone.”He whispered the word, and she was so distracted by his flirtatiousness, she had almost forgotten what she had asked.The music started, Lady Astrid had chosen to begin with a reel, and Montagu grinned as he straightened and began the movements of the dance.“You’ll have your pick of husbands,ma petite rose.”
The English habit of peppering French in among their conversation always took her a moment to process.
His little rose.Rose also meant pink.It was a masterful double entendre, and one she rather liked, considering her penchant for pink.
“But not you?”she asked boldly as she moved with him through the dance, spurred on by curiosity and his obvious desire to assist her in finding a husband.There was something very easygoing about him that made her feel like he would not judge her for being so blatant.
He laughed, and she felt the weight of the gazes watching them.The elder ladies in particular were agog with interest.She caught a glimpse of Lady Catherine Perkins, seated beside the Duchess of Ormonde, lifting her lorgnette to get a better look.It was obvious she was watching Montagu and Kalina, as were the rest of the ladies she was seated with.Even the Duchess of Ormonde had stopped beaming at her son and his betrothed and was focused on Montagu and Kalina’s dance.
“You do not want to marry me.”He shook his head.“And I would not dare marry a woman so close in friendship with my friend’s wives.I do not want them all turning their husbands against me when I inevitably upset my wife.”
“Why would you upset her?”
“I am afraid I will not make a very good husband.With so many ladies in the world, I find it hard to believe I will enjoy cleaving to a single one for the rest of my life.”He chuckled, but there was something melancholy in the sound, as if his self-deprecation had something more behind it than the desire for a variety of women.
“Well, I do not think it is inevitable,” she replied stubbornly.Even if he did not want to marry her, she did not like the idea of him going into marriage with the idea that he was bound to be a bad husband, as if he had no choice in the matter.“We all make our own destinies.You can choose to be a good husband if you want to.”
Montagu blinked, nearly stumbling over his steps before he gracefully righted himself, and Kalina had the satisfaction of knowing she’d discombobulated him.It almost appeared as if he’d never considered the idea that he could choose to be a good husband.
He looked at her again now, and something about the way he was looking at her had changed, though she could not put her finger on exactly how it differed.
“What qualities do you think would make a good husband?”he asked.Unlike before, when he’d been breezy with his tone, like he was going through the motions of conversation rather than truly paying attention, he seemed as though he was wholly focused on her answer.
One that would force her father’s family to acknowledge him.
But Montagu had not asked what she was looking for in a husband; he had asked what she thought would make a good husband.
“Someone kind.Like you.”She smiled at him.“Generous and thoughtful.A man who one can converse with and relax with.”Very much like she had seen with her parents growing up, they were most fully themselves when they were alone with each other and their children.“Someone who wants a partnership and is willing to work with his wife to create the future they both want.”
“What about desire?”He nodded toward the Duke and Duchess of Clarence as they danced together.“Love?”
