Chapter 5 #2
“They are all going to pay attention to you now,” he said cheerfully as he turned toward her on the rapidly filling dance floor. The first few notes came from the piano as Lady Astrid ran her fingers over the keys.
Kalina frowned up at Montagu.
“All the other dukes?”
Leaning forward so he was almost scandalously close, he winked at her.
It was like a wave rippled out from them, through the room.
She did not need to look to see the reactions from everyone as the Duke of Montagu blatantly flirted with her in the middle of a ballroom.
It did not matter that it was at a house party.
It did not matter that he had not previously stirred her senses in the same manner as Hereford.
When the Duke of Montagu focused all of his attention—his charm—on her, it took her breath away.
“Everyone.” He whispered the word, and she was so distracted by his flirtatiousness, she had almost forgotten what she had asked.
The music started, Lady Astrid had chosen to begin with a reel, and Montagu grinned as he straightened and began the movements of the dance.
“You’ll have your pick of husbands, ma petite rose. ”
The English habit of peppering French in among their conversation always took her a moment to process.
His little rose. Rose also meant pink. It was a masterful double entendre, and one she rather liked, considering her penchant for pink.
“But not you?” she asked boldly as she moved with him through the dance, spurred on by curiosity and his obvious desire to assist her in finding a husband. There was something very easygoing about him that made her feel like he would not judge her for being so blatant.
He laughed, and she felt the weight of the gazes watching them.
The elder ladies in particular were agog with interest. She caught a glimpse of Lady Catherine Perkins, seated beside the Duchess of Ormonde, lifting her lorgnette to get a better look.
It was obvious she was watching Montagu and Kalina, as were the rest of the ladies she was seated with.
Even the Duchess of Ormonde had stopped beaming at her son and his betrothed and was focused on Montagu and Kalina’s dance.
“You do not want to marry me.” He shook his head. “And I would not dare marry a woman so close in friendship with my friend’s wives. I do not want them all turning their husbands against me when I inevitably upset my wife.”
“Why would you upset her?”
“I am afraid I will not make a very good husband. With so many ladies in the world, I find it hard to believe I will enjoy cleaving to a single one for the rest of my life.” He chuckled, but there was something melancholy in the sound, as if his self-deprecation had something more behind it than the desire for a variety of women.
“Well, I do not think it is inevitable,” she replied stubbornly.
Even if he did not want to marry her, she did not like the idea of him going into marriage with the idea that he was bound to be a bad husband, as if he had no choice in the matter.
“We all make our own destinies. You can choose to be a good husband if you want to.”
Montagu blinked, nearly stumbling over his steps before he gracefully righted himself, and Kalina had the satisfaction of knowing she’d discombobulated him. It almost appeared as if he’d never considered the idea that he could choose to be a good husband.
He looked at her again now, and something about the way he was looking at her had changed, though she could not put her finger on exactly how it differed.
“What qualities do you think would make a good husband?” he asked. Unlike before, when he’d been breezy with his tone, like he was going through the motions of conversation rather than truly paying attention, he seemed as though he was wholly focused on her answer.
One that would force her father’s family to acknowledge him.
But Montagu had not asked what she was looking for in a husband; he had asked what she thought would make a good husband.
“Someone kind. Like you.” She smiled at him.
“Generous and thoughtful. A man who one can converse with and relax with.” Very much like she had seen with her parents growing up, they were most fully themselves when they were alone with each other and their children.
“Someone who wants a partnership and is willing to work with his wife to create the future they both want.”
“What about desire?” He nodded toward the Duke and Duchess of Clarence as they danced together. “Love?”
“I do not know much of desire,” she admitted.
Other than the way her body tingled when she was near the Duke of Hereford, but she was not going to think about him right now.
“And there are many kinds of love. I do not know if one can require a specific kind for marriage. The ability to be together and enjoy each other’s company would be the most important qualification, I would think. ”
“I see.”
The Duke of Montagu was looking at her now as though he’d never seen her before, a strange light in his eyes. Kalina did not have the chance to try to find out what he was thinking, because the music ended. They separated, and he bowed as she made her curtsy.
“Christian, Miss Little, Lady Kari and I thought to trade dance partners.” The Duke of St. Albans and his partner had turned toward them. Lady Kari clung to his arm, her gaze flitting back and forth between Montagu and Kalina with fascinated interest.
“Of course.” The Duke of Montagu’s breezy, lackadaisical manner had returned.
He held out his hand. “Lady Kari.” The young lady looked thrilled as she stepped forward to take it, releasing her hold on the Duke of St. Albans, who reached out his hand to Kalina, bowing as he asked her to dance.
She smiled as she took it, wondering if this was what Montagu had meant by her gathering all the attention.
Though she rather thought it was Lady Kari’s desire to dance with the Duke of Montagu that had prompted the trade, rather than any desire on St. Albans’ part to dance with her.
The handsome duke seemed genial and rather relaxed, as though he was just there to enjoy the moment.
His charcoal black suit was set off by a mauve and grey waistcoat and a lacy white cravat that emphasized his strong jawline.
It really was unfair how attractive all the attending dukes were… and yet none of them stirred her attention the way the Duke of Hereford did.
“Miss Little. How are you enjoying your evening so far?” St. Albans asked, getting into position beside her as Lady Astrid began the next song.
“Very much. Are most house parties like this?” she asked, following him in the steps and mentally blessing her father for the dance instructor he’d hired the first day they’d landed in London. Her body went through the movements by rote, allowing her to move while focusing on the conversation.
St. Albans laughed.
“Not at all. Lady Collette’s suggestion of dancing tonight was inspired; it’s already livened things up in a manner that usually takes days to achieve. I am glad Lady Astrid accommodated her.”
“I see,” Kalina replied, smiling, even though she was not sure that she did. After all, she had nothing to compare it to.
As they turned and St. Albans put his arm around her, her gaze moved across the room, and she sucked in a breath as the Duke of Hereford’s dark look crashed into her. He was glaring at her for some reason.
Quickly, she looked away, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she mentally ran through her actions, wondering where she had misstepped.