Page 20 of The Duke's Indecent Match
She sighed again.
On the list.Still.
His hot and cold behavior nonetheless did not disqualify him.
Three dukes to try to impress were better than two, which narrowed her chances of securing one.She had come to the party, being unsure if there were any she might be realistically able to set her cap for, but she was feeling buoyed by the successes of last night.
Even the setback of Hereford returning to ignoring her after their waltz did not necessarily indicate failure.Perhaps he was still deciding as well and trying not to show a preference.
Though if she were to admit a preference…
A shiver went down her spine as she remembered the way his body had felt against hers.Moved against hers.His leg parting hers and stepping between them in a manner that had felt utterly indecent and given her sudden understanding of why the patronesses at Almack’s felt a young lady needed their permission to dance the waltz.Understood why it was considered a touch scandalous, a little indecent.
She’d felt indecent as she whirled in his arms across the floor.
Her mother had explained to her what happens between a man and a wife.Kalina knew, theoretically, how marital relations worked.She understood the basic concept of desire.
Held in Hereford’s arms was the first time she’d truly experienced such a thing for herself.Even now, her skin felt extra sensitive when she thought of it, her inner muscles clenching when she remembered his hard thigh between hers, and the way her breasts felt as though they’d swelled and ached as his chest brushed against hers.
Breath catching her in throat, Kalina squirmed, pressing her legs together as the ache between them intensified.
The sound of her door opening made her jump in place, immediately ceasing her motion, and she sat up as Margaret quietly entered.Seeing her, the other woman smiled and relaxed.
“I was not sure you would be up yet, Miss,” she said, closing the door behind her.“Would you like me to open the curtains wider?”
“Yes, please, Margaret,” Kalina replied, trying to relax and pretending that her heart hadn’t leapt up into her throat at being interrupted.She could hardly tell Margaret what she’d interrupted.
“Such a to-do last night,” Margaret said, bustling over to the curtains to pull them further open.“I expect you slept through it as usual, though.”
Having already thrown back the covers, Kalina frowned, pausing where she sat on the edge of the bed.
“A to-do?”
“Yes.”Margaret sent her an amused glance.Kalina’s ability to sleep through even the loudest noises had always entertained her maid.She would wake up if someone touched her, but otherwise, she was a very deep sleeper.“I woke because there was so much noise in the servants’ quarters.Last night, all I knew was that something was going on.This morning, I learned Lady Johanna left in the middle of the night, with her companion.”
“What?Why?”Kalina sprang to her feet.Lady Johanna’s room was almost directly across from hers; she’d learned last night when the dancing had ended, and everyone had made their way to their rooms.Often, she did not mind her ability to sleep through the loudest commotions; today, she inwardly cursed it.
“I do not know why.”Margaret gave her a sly glance.She was clearly hoping Kalina could get more information and share it with her.
Kalina snorted, getting to her feet.
“Help me get dressed.”She smiled.“The pink cambric, I think.”A suitable day dress of dark pink flowers on a lighter pink background, it was one of her favorites.Flattering, without being overly showy.
It was the fastest Margaret had ever done her hair; the lady’s maid practically shoved Kalina out the door in her haste to know what the gossip was.Though by the time Kalina did, she was sure Margaret would have ferreted out more information herself.Or perhaps not.It was likely her maid had already tried.
Kalina was also wildly curious and more than a little worried.A middle-of-the-night departure from a house party signified nothing good that she could think of.
Entering the dining room, she was relieved to see that she was neither the first nor the last to arrive, but solidly in the middle.The elder set was at one end of the table, while Lady Astrid, Tiffany, and the Duke of Clarence were at the other end with Lady Astrid’s younger brother.Rupert looked up when Kalina came in and brightened for a moment before realizing that Ashwin was not with her; then he sighed and slouched back down again.
She hid the amused smile from her lips.It seemed her brother had found a true friend here as well.
Lady Astrid, Tiffany, and the Duke of Clarence all lifted their heads to see who the new arrival was, and Lady Astrid immediately waved her over imperiously.The gowns the two ladies were wearing immediately reassured Kalina that she had made the correct choice in her own; they were very similar in style if not in color.Tiffany’s sky-blue day gown was trimmed with pale yellow ribbon, making her almost appear like sunshine on a bright morning, while Lady Astrid had chosen a flamboyant orange that, combined with her red hair, made her appear like a sunset.The colors were quite striking together.
“Good morning.I am sure you are wondering what was going on last night,” Lady Astrid said as Kalina sat down.
One of the maids immediately arrived at her elbow to pour her tea while a footman fetched a plate of food for her.
“Actually, I had no idea anything had happened last night until my maid came in to tell me this morning,” Kalina admitted, causing all three of her friends to blink in surprise.
