Page 99 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
“I can go to the modiste while you are there,” Madeleine told her husband, pressing a hand to his chest, excited.
Alexander ghosted a kiss on her brow. “Let us go.”
The Kingswell ball was a thing of splendor and beauty. Garlands of flowers hung around upper balconies that overlooked the main ballroom below, and decorative vines wrapped around the wide pillars that upheld the higher levels of the residence.
The Kingswell crest had been painted onto the dancefloor, and Madeleine’s satin dress the color of champagne swept over it as Alexander led her deeper into the ballroom.
“Shall we take a turn around the room?” he asked her. Behind them, John followed, his chin high. He had been fitted with new formalwear for the evening, and with his hair trimmed from his travel back from the army base, he had cleaned up excellently.
“I think it is best,” she said. “It is also rather good practice, is it not?”
“You get better every time at handling these beastly aristocrats,” he told her, smiling at his own dismissal of theton.Now she understood his hatred for the entire society, whether it was to do with the underground workings of the criminals he had once dealt with, or the type of scum that had almost seen Madeleine out of a home and future after Donald’s downfall and death.
“Let us parade my brother a little,” she agreed finally. “John?”
“I am here,” he answered tightly. “Heavens, I forgot how many stares follow oneself. One would think I am a circus monkey and they are waiting for me to do something spectacular.”
“I think Lady Georgina in particular is,” Madeleine giggled, pointing out a dark-haired lady across the ballroom. “She looks rather pleased at your return. Tell me, did she not see you at a previous event the last time you were on leave from the army?”
“Yes,” John laughed. “I believe we had a splendid waltz.”
“Then you must speak with her,” Madeleine urged.
John shot a look at Alexander who shrugged helplessly. “You are an eligible bachelor once more. Leave the battlefield, John. Every eligible lady in here will be wanting to be your viscountess. Prepare yourself.”
John strode past them with a mutter but his posture was that of a fine gentleman. Madeleine was proud of her brother, how he seemed to be finding his feet within his role.
“He has always known how to be a viscount,” Alexander told her, noticing her watching him. “He was merely scared he was notgoodat it. That he could not handle the responsibility. Your father did not provide a good example.”
“He did not,” Madeleine agreed. “I am proud of him.”
“He is of you as well. He told me so only last night.”
“He did?”
Alexander nodded, smiling at her. “I wish to have you in my arms. I wish to ignore the rest of this pesky ball, and simply look at you.” Madeleine’s breath caught when he turned to her. “Dance with me, my wife.”
“I would be honored, now and forever.”
Her face was flush with happiness, even as she felt the usual stares on her. Yet they were not as potent as they once were. They were easier to ignore. Whether that was because the gossip revolved around the return of her brother, or the fact that she had a stunning gown on, or if it was simply because she was growing stronger once more, Madeleine did not know.
Alexander guided her to the floor just as the next song began to play. He lifted his hand to place against hers.
Madeleine gazed at him, at the neat beard that she ached to feel brushing against her skin, and the brilliant blue eyes that had her breathless no matter how many times she looked into them.
I will never get tired of looking into his eyes, she thought, as their dance began.
For a moment, she considered whether their children might inherit their father’s blue eyes, or her own, an indistinguishable hazel-green. Alexander claimed to love them, to find endless depths in them, but how could she ever compare to the piercing color of his?
“What do you think about?” he asked her, smiling, as they side-stepped around one another. Several rows down, John had invited Lady Georgina onto the dancefloor. Further down, Madeleine noticed Tessa and Colin, gazing starry-eyed at one another.
Madeleine hummed as the music was spun around them. “I was thinking that your eyes are beautiful.”
“Mine?” he laughed. “My darling wife, have you looked at your own reflection? If not, I should have you watch yourself in our chambers. It is most beautiful.”
Madeleine ached to press closer but she appropriately walked in a small circle opposing Alexander. His hand was rough against hers, the only hand in the world she trusted to catch her if she ever fell.
As her gaze caught his own and did not let go, Madeleine knew she truly had fallen for her husband. Their dance continued, and soon, it was time to transition into the next dance. John came closer with Lady Georgina, and Madeleine watched them for a moment.
