With her family, she looked lighter. Her eyes danced as she fixed Portia’s crooked hair ribbon. There was mischief in them as she whispered something in Selina’s ear.
Kenneth’s chest tightened as he watched his wife. There was a strange ache inside him. He wanted to protect her in every way, but did not yet know how to make her smile or laugh the way she was doing at the moment. Having her spend a night with her family made the ballroom much more bearable.
“Grandmama, please give Kenneth a moment to breathe,” Madeline requested, as she slid her hand into Kenneth’s arm, squeezing him. “He is not used to our noise and rapid conversation yet.”
“Nonsense, Madeline!” the older woman declared, waving her hand in dismissal. “His Grace is family now! Now, come along,girls, let us talk to some of the guests.”
Madeline turned to Kenneth, her face full of concern. “Will you be all right for just a moment?”
Kenneth opened his mouth to protest. Social gatherings made him bounce back and forth between anxiety and boredom, all while looking like a placid snob. All he could give his wife was a stiff, resigned nod.
“Please do not be long,” he said in his usual monotone.
“I will not,” she promised, smiling brightly at him.
When Madeline joined her grandmother and sisters, Kenneth felt completely exposed. He stood there, trying not to meet anybody’s eyes even as guests milled around, openly gawking at him.
Later on, he let Lord Marlow corner him while his wife moved across the ballroom with her sisters. The old man had too many stories up his sleeve and could talk for hours, even though he could not hear the replies.
“Then, one of the horses tripped. It dragged the carriage down, and I fell out of the side door and came face to face with a badger!” the old man bellowed.
Lord Marlow had to talk loudly to hear himself, and thus, Kenneth had to endure the ringing in his ears.
“That is quite fascinating, Lord Marlow,” Kenneth said formally. “I myself have never been in contact with a badger. Until now.”
However, it was not a badger that sat on his foot. The soft but solid weight belonged to Lord Marlow’s prize ginger cat. It was chubby and furry, and rubbing its face on his shoe. It was tooclose, close enough for him to feel like he was about to sneeze. His throat began to itch, and his eyes watered. Still, he could not tell Lord Marlow that felines had this effect on him. When Madeline turned to look their way, he even bent down and patted the cat.
What am I doing? Petting the beast that is tightening my windpipe shows I have lost my mind!
In another corner of the ballroom, Madeline stood with Cathy, Portia, and Selina. She shared her disappointment about the past few days.
“My plans have been an utter failure so far,” Madeline whispered, fidgeting with her gloves. Her usual optimism faded as soon as she was able to mingle with her sisters alone. “I thought the dessert and the picnic would change things. But look at him. He barely speaks to me, and not just because this is a social situation. He has been like that at home for the past few days.”
“He is a duke, Maddy,” Cathy said, fanning herself. “They are not well known for displays of emotion in public. However, the situation at home can be resolved. He must be terribly occupied with his ledgers.”
“Or overwhelmed by your beauty,” Selina added, with a little smirk.
“No. I do not think that is the case,” Madeline grumbled. “I made an effort to dress like this tonight, and all he said was that I looked well, as if I had just recovered from illness. Now, he isback to being a handsome statue.”
She paused, swallowing hard. A heavier realization had settled over her. While she felt she had failed to elicit emotions and inspire love in her husband, she could not deny that they had become closer.
In the dark, as soon as the doors closed behind them, Kenneth’s mouth and hands were warm on her skin, his touch and kisses urgent. There was no denying that his body craved hers, just as she craved him. However, as soon as they were out of the bedchamber, he was back to his cold self.
Perhaps that was all it was to him. He was a man, after all. Perhaps he was only interested in a physical relationship. Ultimately, he would require an heir unless he was willing to pass on the Dukedom to his brother and Alexander. What if she had merely thrown caution to the wind for something purely physical? She should not have given too much and too easily when she knew she would be the only one affected. And yet... She could not resist him.
“Maddy?” Portia asked softly. “Are you all right?”
Madeline realized she had gone quiet, completely consumed by thoughts of Kenneth.
Madeline smiled tightly, smoothing her skirts. “Oh, yes, I am fine. I am only realizing that some walls are harder to climb or breach.”
The sisters were thoughtful for a moment until Selina decided to break the silence.
“May I be excused?” Selina asked.“Dancing is about to commence, and my card is full.”
“Of course! This ball is partly to ensure you meet some eligible bachelors, Selina,” Cathy said.
Not long after their youngest sister had left, they saw several young men headed her way.
