It was a practical matter, he told himself. He simply did not care to have his own wife made a spectacle of.
However, his surrender to his wife did not end there. That evening, he turned not to his estate accounts but to something more urgent.
“Is that all?” he asked his private runner, a man named Timothy, who had several connections in London and was the only one he had ever asked to come to the house so late at night.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Timothy replied.
Kenneth inspected the papers he received from his runner. It was a list of names, amounts, and dates. He took a long, deep breath as he realized the full extent of Harleigh Quinten’s problems.
The figures were astronomical. No wonder he was thrown into the Thames. Madeline’s father would not be able to pay such an amount, not when he had already gambled away even his daughters’ dowries while he continued to engage in ruinous gambling. Harleigh should be taught a lesson, but his daughters did not deserve such worries weighing on their shoulders.
“Come back to me tomorrow evening. I will have the amounts ready for you to pay these creditors. Be discreet,” he instructed.
“You know my work already, Your Grace,” Timothy said. “I am always discreet.”
The following day, his accountant came for his regular visit. He had Mr. Gresham collect money from the bank for Timothy to pay Harleigh’s creditors.
“Are you certain about this, Your Grace?” Mr. Gresham asked, looking concerned.
“I know I do not usually move such large amounts unless I am paying for property, but this is necessary, Gresham.”
So, by the next morning, Kenneth was certain that every penny of debt Harleigh had incurred had been secretly settled. While his practical self said it was a matter of peace of mind, he knew he was doing it for Madeline.
He would not have his wife be whispered about behind her back at her sister’s ball.
Chapter 20
Finally, the night of the dreaded ball arrived. Despite his dislike for social gatherings, Kenneth dressed himself in his best coat and trousers. He was all in black, with not a lock of hair astray. He was clean-shaven and prepared, somewhat, for a night of hobnobbing with people who only cared about his title.
Still, he stood by the base of the grand staircase, ensuring his cuffs were neat. For the first time, even his well-suited clothes felt too tight. There was a feeling in his chest he could not understand. It felt too warm.
Kenneth knew he should put a stop to it. He and Malcolm agreed that a fall could be catastrophic. But he could no longer explore the thought when he heard the clicking of heels on the steps.
He looked up, and all the breath in his chest was gone. The world had stopped as Madeline descended the stairs, wearing a gown of silver with blue lace and silk. Her hair was swept up and kept in place with pearls, exposing the lovely neck he had kissed until she whimpered. This woman radiated ethereal beauty.There was a time he thought that he would be too good for any wife he chose. Madeline had proven him wrong. Now, he wondered if hedeserved her.
“You look…” Kenneth breathed, words again failing him whenever he was in front of her. Several words scrambled in his head. Ravishing. Beautiful. Dazzling. However, his self-control gripped him. He had to return to his old self before it was too late. “You look well. We should depart now, so that we can arrive on time.”
Madeline’s bright smile flickered. He could see it tighten at the edges as disappointment surfaced on her face.
“I look well?” she asked, her pitch too high. “Thank you, Your Grace. The flattery may be too much for me.”
The sarcasm was not lost on him. For the first time, Kenneth actually wanted to arrive at the ball as quickly as possible, so that he could escape her questioning eyes.
The carriage ride was quiet. In contrast, the ball was all heat and noise, and he remembered how much he hated such occasions. However, he knew what he had agreed to.
“Maddy!”
The explosive shriek made Kenneth’s eyebrow twitch. There was not enough time to prepare himself for the onslaught that descended upon them.
Portia and Selina almost flew across the ballroom, likely knowingly disregarding proper decorum as long as they could get close to their sister. Tight hugs and air kisses followed.
“You came! We thought you would be locked away in Huntington House forever!” Selina exclaimed, much to Kenneth’s shock. The youngest Quinten seemed unapologetic about what she had just said. “Oh, good evening, Your Grace.You look absolutely handsome and terrifying tonight.”
“Hush, Selina!” Lady Marlow gently scolded as she rushed to the group, apparently hearing her granddaughter from a few feet away. “Your Grace! What an absolute honor for you to be here. You both look positively glowing! Your Grace, you must take some punch. The Earl of Sussex is near the punch bowl, but do be wary. He is droning on and on about his horses.”
Kenneth felt overwhelmed. The Marlow women could make someone feel as if they were caught in the middle of a storm with their constant chatter and open affection.
But when he looked at Madeline, all traces of bewilderment and annoyance were gone. She was completely transformed. Her smile was soft and dazzling as she conversed and laughed with her sisters. Her cheeks were flushed with genuine joy that she had not shown him in the quiet halls of Huntington House.
