Page 121 of The Duke's Indecent Match

Thankfully, after Stilton and his son left the Tremaine ball, the rest of the evening passed without incident.Not only that, but the tone of Society had changed.The gathered forces against Stilton and his ilk had been powerful, confident, and varied.

Suddenly, everyone wanted to speak to him and his wife.

Everyone was welcoming.

Thetonknew which way the wind blew.

Without realizing it, without intending to, he’d restored his family’s social standing by standing up for his wife.Considering the vagaries of theton, it could have easily gone the other way.Nathanial was not blind to the fact that the number of dukes and powerful figures within Society that had taken his side, while Stilton had had no one, had greatly contributed to that outcome.

Still.

He felt much easier now, knowing that there was no reason his sisters should not be successes when they debuted.

While he would never trust the majority of Society to stay firm if the wind blew against him and Kalina, tonight, he got to see who would stand beside them and the effect it would have.They would be able to weather every storm.

His sisters’ futures were assured, in every way they could be.

And he was in love with his wife.

He had not intended to make such a public declaration, but it had not harmed their standing.When gentlemen spoke with Kalina, they eyed him warily, as if he might punch their noses, too.A side effect he was not at all upset about.

Hiswife would never be one of the bored matrons of theton, taking lovers while her husband dallied with his mistress.Not if Nathanial had anything to say about it.

Once their social duties were done, he was ready to leave.

“Shall we?”he murmured in Kalina’s ear.

“Yes, please.”She smiled at him, appearing relieved rather than resigned to leaving the ball early.

Nathanial could only imagine how stressful the events of the evening had been on her.

They made the rounds of their friends, Kalina’s family, and the others who had stepped up to support them before taking their leave of the Tremaines.Lady Tremaine did not appear sorry to see them go.Nathanial suppressed a smile.They had not quite reached the levels of scandal the Baron and Baroness of Fife had, but he was certain that tomorrow, Lady Tremaine’s ball would be the most talked-about piece of gossip.

This time, he did not mind being the center of a scandal.

Getting into the carriage with his wife, Nathanial sat down beside her rather than across from her.With a soft sigh, she leaned her head against his shoulder as the carriage began to move, rocking them slightly.He reached out and put his hand on her lap, sliding his fingers over and between hers to hold her hand.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?”Turning his face to the side, he brushed a soft kiss over the top of her head.Her fingers were curled around his, and he swept his thumb against her soft skin.

There was a pause.

“Everything.”She laughed, a soft little laugh that made him smile.“But especially for how you handled my grandfather.And my uncle.They were…”

“Awful.”He supplied the word when her voice trailed off.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded.He felt the movement against his shoulder.

“They were awful.Which feels terrible to say of family, but it is the truth.”

“My father was also awful, so I understand.”

She giggled, but it only lasted for a moment before she quieted.

“I am glad my father did not reconcile with them.”

“I as well.”He was very glad that her father had put her first again, even when faced with the outcome that he’d returned to England for.It was not worth it for the man to grovel at the marquess’ feet, but some would have, anyway.They would have kissed the ring, toed the line, and put up with their wife and children being treated terribly, all for the sake of ‘family’.Nathanial sighed.“I suppose this means we’ll have to spend every holiday with him.”