Page 69 of Her Duke By Accident
“Yes, Lucy,” he said. “And days it will be.”
Pulling himself up, Matthew cleared his throat before he turned to the duchess. “Your Grace,” he said, gesturing towards the door, “might I have a word with you in private?”
Alicia opened and closed her mouth a few times before she nodded, leaving the room first. Matthew followed, shutting the door gently behind them. They walked down the hall a few paces, and Matthew watched Alicia tuck her hands behind her back, messing with the ribbons on her dress nervously.
The duchess suddenly stopped, turning to face him but not meeting his eye. “I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
“Why?”
“For the ruckus I caused,” she muttered. “The mess in the halls, paintings knocked over. I fear I even snapped at Miss Ayles in the heat of the moment. I told Lucy not to ride Periwinkle, she looked so small compared to the horse. I–I should've been more persistent, Your Grace, I know.”
“I already said that no one was to blame,” he quietly said.
Alicia kept her head lowered but raised her eyes to him. “I know.”
“I would like to repay you, Your Grace.”
She scoffed. “Lucy might as well be my kin. There is no need.”
“Kin or not, carrying a girl up a staircase is quite a feat.”
“That is very kind of you,” Alicia whispered. “But I insist.”
Matthew sighed as she avoided looking at him. “Alicia.”
Her head shot up.
“Please,” he said. “I would like to repay you.”
Alicia stared at him with wide, green eyes. A rosy tint slowly engulfed her cheeks, spreading across her nose. She never pulled away from his gaze, even when she bit on her lip deep in thought. “Alright,” she breathed.
He smiled, and held his arms behind his back. There was only one thing he thought she would request. Holding a ball at their Mayfair lodging. Finally, after too much arguing, he became ready to give her the permission she had begged for just days before.
Alicia stepped closer to him. “I’d like to dine with you.”
“Wh–what?”
A smile slipped onto her lips. “You look surprised.”
“Well, I suppose I am.” He narrowed his eyes. “That’s all you want?”
“Yes, Your Grace. A private dinner, just the two of us.”
He swallowed, remembering the conversation he’d had with Danvers back at Lew’s and Crake’s. “Very well,” he said. “I will inform Ms. Crawford that we dine elsewhere this evening.”
Alicia’s lips spread into a wide smile.
Matthew stepped aside as she left the hall, leaving him standing there with only his rapid heartbeat to keep him company.
CHAPTER 17
Juliet spun around Alicia’s bedroom, holding up a golden colored dress to her shoulders. A soft melody whistled through the room from Juliet’s lips, getting higher and lower as she twirled around the bathing tub. Alicia giggled from her seat at the bed, watching the show while her stomach twisted into a painful knot.
“A real gown,” Juliet mused as she fell against the bed, the dress draped across her stomach.
“Careful, now,” Alicia warned playfully. “I do still plan on wearing it this evening.”
“Oh, I know, Your Grace.” The lady’s maid sighed dramatically, draping a hand over her forehead. “I only needed a minute or two to dream.”
