Page 5

A STRID HAD NEVER BEEN so embarrassed before. Her nipple was on display. She was horrified. The worst part was that it felt as though time had slowed down and all of her thoughts and movements were lagging.

If only that drunk idiot hadn’t called attention to it, perhaps no one would have noticed. Instead, multiple pairs of eyes had firsthand knowledge of the distinct amber color of her areola.

If Michael had been the only witness, she might have recovered quickly enough for him to not even notice.

She could have turned away and set her dress to rights.

But in the chaotic string of events between pulling the thread, the drunken announcement, and the heads popping in, she had nowhere to turn without an audience.

Her body rounded to the place that felt most safe. Michael.

It was his eyes that were on her body. His gaze taking in the sight of her nipple. The chill in the air doubled with the intense desire she saw in his eyes drew her nipple taut, and she knew he caught sight of her aroused state before she tucked herself back in her dress.

With mortification, she finally found her voice. About to say something to the curious crowd, Michael stepped up. He pulled her close to his chest so that her back was facing the onlookers. His arm was latched around her. Safety.

“There’s nothing to see here. Go to bed. Now.” His ducal tone held the authoritative sway to move the mass of people back into the corridor and off to their rooms. What few grumbles she heard were lost on her ears. They didn’t matter. Only Michael’s opinion of her was of any consequence.

And he was protecting her. She had only known him for such a short time, yet she knew her intuition about him was right. He was a good man. Humble. Stable. Honorable. Responsible. Protective. And…passionate. At that thought, she noticed again the burning sensation on her lips from their kiss.

It felt right to be tucked against his chest knowing he would take care of her. She could trust him.

“Thank you,” she said shyly, with her chin tucked against his body.

“Let’s go.” She couldn’t read the tone of his voice as he gently turned her around and led her out of the room.

She knew to be quiet while they walked together.

It wouldn’t do to be caught alone with him at night.

One scandal was enough. She could only hope the gossip wouldn’t be too vicious.

It had merely been a wardrobe malfunction.

But who had seen that? Who had really seen the whole event from its innocent start to its scandalous end?

Had Michael witnessed all of it? His reaction indicated that he didn’t place blame on her.

Though, if she really thought back on it, it wasn’t all that reassuring. It was commanding…but was it kind?

“Michael—” she started to explain what happened, forgetting where they were.

He hushed her softly, looking straight ahead.

It only took a minute more for them to reach her chambers, and she knew she needed to explain herself to him.

She wanted his good opinion of her. She couldn’t bear it if he lost faith in her.

Which was crazy to think. It had only been hours, but so much had happened.

The dance. The kiss. The…wardrobe incident.

Everything had happened so quickly, but sometimes love was like that, wasn’t it?

Love? Was that what had happened to her?

Being caught up in another world in a dance with him. Being transported by passion in his embrace. And finally, experiencing his power and protectiveness. She could envision him proposing. He was an honorable man. He would do right by her.

A betrothal? Her head swam at the thought.

When they reached the door to her chambers, she slowly turned the handle and motioned for him to follow her.

Giddiness bubbled up inside of her. It was a nervous tension building within, like when she would wait to see what mark she had received on a test that she had studied for with diligence.

And wasn’t it true that she had been studying her whole life how to be a lady and secure a husband?

Wasn’t that the social structure she had been trained for?

Hadn’t her family and governesses worked hard to rein her in?

Tame her? Her, a bucking, wild horse. Pent up with dreams for herself and doing good for the world around her, especially children.

And now all of her training was going to be worth it.

Isaac could stop worrying about her, and she could start living the life she wanted to live.

After she had a husband, doors would open for her.

Doors of passion inside her heart. But also doors of freedom to the outside world. No more chaperones. No more taming.

She looked up at him with a foolish grin, feeling only a little bit sheepish that he might be able to read her thoughts.

“Michael?” She asked it as a second invitation because maybe he had missed the first one. She wanted to talk about this kiss. Or just kiss again. She wanted to talk to him. Or just be near him. It had been a perfectly chaotic day, and she didn’t want it to end here.

“I cannot be seen in your chambers, Lady Astrid.”

And then she noticed the rigidity of his spine. And the darkness in his eyes was no longer desire, but…contempt.

Nothing could kill affection quicker than contempt.

Jarred, she pulled her hand to her throat. His eyes followed her movement, lingered on her lips, and flicked back up to her gaze.

“I was wrong,” he said. Then he turned and left. Too aghast to speak, she leaned against the wall and watched as he walked away. His room was next to hers, so he didn’t go far.

Thinking perhaps he might turn around and cast her another glance, she watched his every move. His body paused in front of his door, his hand resting on the door handle. Surely he would look back now. He didn’t.

And then he was gone.

I was wrong. I was wrong. I was wrong.

The words rang like a bell in her head. Wrong about what? About his actions? His choice? And if he was wrong, why wasn’t he apologizing? Did he feel guilty? That he should have done more. Said more. Knocked out the drunken idiot. Called him out. What was he wrong about?

Or had he meant something else? That he was wrong about her? Astrid shuddered as her mind absorbed the truth.

He was ashamed of her. He wasn’t protecting her as much as he was shielding himself from gossip.

The quicker he could get them out of that situation, the better.

He intended to distance himself from her, not draw as close as socially possible.

Marriage. Ha! What a fool she had been. She thought she could trust her intuition. What an absolute disaster.

Had she really thought that love could bloom in blazing passion and honorable intentions?

Love was not like that. Love at first sight was not real. True love didn’t exist like that. Astrid’s heart crumpled.

If the gossip got out, it could destroy her. But who knew for how long. She might not be shunned from society, but she would be its new pariah.

On the outskirts of society, her actions would be fodder for gossip, regardless of what she did now. If she acted with propriety, they would say she was just covering up. If she acted with even the barest hint of impropriety, they would call her wanton.

No matter what she did, the gossip would forever be painted in light of the incident.

So Astrid made a decision.

Buck society. Buck society and all the people in it. She would live for herself.

Never had she been so wrong about a person.