Page 117 of The Duke's Indecent Match
Nathanial had noticed that about her.
He supposed that was why, when her father noticed thatshewanted something—that something being Nathanial—he’d acted so precipitously.
When he looked at it that way—being wanted so badly by Kalina that her father had trapped Nathanial into marriage with her—it was almost a compliment.One that completely ignored Nathanial and Kalina’s choices and any sense of agency in their own lives.
But a compliment.
He needed to grasp whatever reasons he could for forgiving his father-in-law.That was the whole point of coming here today.
Taking a long sip of his brandy, Nathanial leaned back in his chair.
“How is Kalina settling in with your sisters?”Mr.Little asked.
“Very well.They love her and she dotes on them.”Any worries he’d had about Kalina’s ability to guide them through thetonhad dissipated.Anything his wife did not know, her friends would be able to assist her with.She might not have the same social standing as a lady whose parent was not estranged from their titled father, but she had social allies.Strong ones.“My youngest sister in particular, Fiona, adores her.”
Slowly, Nathanial settled as he and Mr.Little conversed, starting with Nathanial’s sisters, which led to Mr.Little sharing some memories of Kalina when she was a child, which led to them talking about India.They skirted any sensitive subjects, such as Mr.Little’s family, Nathanial’s father, and anything financial, but it ended up being a rather enjoyable and revealing conversation.
They would certainly be able to be in each other’s company in the future after this.By the time Nathanial left the Littles’ house, he was fairly certain he would eventually even be able to forgive his father-in-law.
Eventually.
Acknowledging that they would see each other at the Tremaine ball later that evening before Nathanial left, he headed home feeling rather chuffed.He would be able to surprise his wife tonight by being able to speak with her parents without antagonism.Something that should make her happy.
Which, along with making his sisters happy, was all he wanted now.
43
Kalina
Clinging to her husband’s arm, Gregory and Tiffany trailing behind her, Kalina greeted Lord and Lady Tremaine.Their daughter, Louisa, stood beside them.A stunning beauty, she appeared to be pouting as she looked between Gregory and Nathanial and sighed before dipping into a curtsy of the appropriate degree.It was not the first time a debutante had looked at her husband in such a way.
The Season had begun with six eligible dukes—technically seven, but Northumberland was still in mourning and had not joined the social scene yet.Now, two of them had married, one was practically engaged with the announcement expected any day, and half of the opportunities for this Season’s debutantes to marry a duke were gone.
Lady Louisa must have had hopes.
Kalina could not help but feel for her.She heard Tiffany graciously greeting the young woman as Nathanial led Kalina away and into the ballroom.
It was a crush, of course.
They were announced and began their descent down the staircase when her husband stiffened.Kalina glanced at him, but his gaze was off to the right of the ballroom.She started to look, but could not tell what had caught his attention when he kept moving again.It did not escape her notice that he escorted her to the left when they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Whatever he had seen, he did not want to bring her near it, which only piqued her curiosity even more.
She craned her neck, trying to find what he’d been looking at without being obvious that she was looking.It only took her a moment to give up.There were far too many people, and she had no idea what he’d had such a reaction to.She felt fairly certain the cause had not been her parents, as he’d informed her earlier in the evening that he’d visited her father, and they’d had a good discussion.
Which she had been delighted and relieved to hear.Also touched that he’d gone and done such a thing for her.
It had led to a rather wicked encounter in his study where she’d used her mouth onhimfor the first time.That had mussed her hair to the point where they’d arrived at the ball later than intended, as she and Margaret put it to rights.
She knew she looked rather splendid now, her hair piled up in a complicated knot on her head, shimmering with pink diamonds that matched the ornate necklace around her throat and jewels dangling from her ears.Twin bracelets decorated each wrist, adding to the sparkle.Her dress was several shades darker than her diamonds, which accentuated their color, and was trimmed with an even darker pink ribbon that matched Nathanial’s waistcoat and pocket square.
No one would ever guess that a few hours ago she’d been on her knees in front of her husband, doing such wildly perverse things.
It did make one wonder about the things other couples got up to behind closed doors…
Did others in thetondo such scandalous things?
She could not imagine.
