Page 43 of Her Duke By Accident
“Won’t you play us something?”
“Like what,” Miss Ayles snapped, “a silly country line dance?”
Alicia shrugged. “Haven’t you heard of the waltz?”
The governess gaped at her. “I will not play a waltz for a young unmarried lady. She won’t dance to that at balls!”
Lucy tilted her head. “Why not?”
“It’s considered lucrative,” Alicia said with a laugh, “for its unexpected closeness. The country dance just won’t do with only two of us.”
“Let us waltz!” Lucy shouted, jumping from the sofa. “Oh, please, Miss Ayles. Play us a waltz!”
The governess eyed her student, giving the duchess a glare, before she sighed and walked to the pianoforte. Alicia grinned, grasping Lucy’s hand and pulling her into the middle of the room. A series of giggles erupted from the young lady, even when she tried to keep a straight face.
Miss Ayles inhaled deeply and let her fingers run amok over the keys. Music filled the air, and Alicia grasped onto Lucy, trying to remember how a man led the waltz.
Lucy squealed over the music. “Are you supposed to step on my feet?”
“I’ve never led before!” Alicia shouted and laughed.
They twirled and bent, Alicia holding Lucy around the waist and swinging her round the room. Lucy held onto the duchess’s hand, but barely paid attention, only jumped and clamored and shouted. As Miss Ayles played on, the girls bumped together at a turn, and tumbled to the floor.
“Oh, good Lord,” the governess grumbled as she stopped playing. “Look at you two, dancing as if all you had were left feet!”
Her rants could barely be heard over the laughter that ensued. Lucy was lying flat on her back and crying. Alicia sat up, rubbing a sore spot on her elbow as her laughter drifted off. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement blur by the door, steps fading into the hallway.
“Your Grace!” Alicia shouted, stumbling to her feet and lifting her skirts. She ran to the hall as the dark clothes Matthew wore became a blur in the shadows. “Your Grace,” she said, calling out to him.
The duke stopped at the end of the hall. He turned, giving her a short bow. “Your Grace,” he said. “I was just?—”
“Join us,” she interrupted, breathless and sweating.
He raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry?”
Alicia extended a hand. “We were trying to teach Lucy how to waltz,” she said with a laugh, “but as it turns out, I don’t lead very well.”
Matthew stared at her silently, a look of dismay on his face.
“Are you truly too busy to spend a few moments with us?”
“I— he stopped himself, clenching and unclenching his fists. “If you insist,” he finally said with a curt nod of his head.
Alicia clapped her hands together, elated and surprised at him. “Lucy,” she called out as she reentered the room, “I found you a better dance partner.”
The duke entered slowly behind her, unbuttoning his jacket before draping it across a chair. “It has been some time since I’ve waltzed,” he said, rolling his cream-colored sleeves up to his elbows. “Forgive me if I’m not as skilled as you expect.”
A grin engulfed Lucy’s face. “You’ll dance with me, Matthew?”
“Yes, Lucy,” he said softly, taking her hand. “As long as you promise to pay attention.”
She giggled. “I promise!”
With a nod to the governess at the pianoforte, Matthew wrapped an arm around his sister, and they floated along to the music. When he spoke, it was quiet and gentle, low enough for only Lucy to hear. She would nod and sway, following his steps but never leaving his gaze.
Alicia stood back, hands pressed together as she watched in amazement.
“You’re a natural,” Matthew said loudly to be carried over the music.
