Page 22 of The Duke's Indecent Match

“Perhaps we can send a package to her… something for her family if she’s unable to return to the house party, regardless of…” Her voice trailed off again.Regardless of whether Lady Johanna’s mother recovered.

Kalina nodded.

“I would like to contribute, if I may,” she said.She would find something she could include.

Tiffany and Lady Astrid both smiled brilliantly at her.Then the door behind her opened, admitting a small parade of people into the dining room.Keeping her ears open, Kalina attended to her meal.

As she’d predicted, the conversation was initially focused on Lady Johanna and her departure, the topic rehashed every time someone new arrived.Those who did not have rooms in the same hall had missed the kerfuffle.When Kalina’s family joined the throng, they were amused but unsurprised that Kalina had slept through it all.

Her father gleefully told the story about the elephant, much to the amusement of the Duke of Ormonde and Montagu, who had joined their end of the table.Hereford and St.Albans were farther away, which did not bother her in the slightest, even though Hereford appeared to be hanging on Lady Kari’s every word.

As the meal concluded, conversation naturally turned to the plans for the day.As the weather was clear, it was agreed that a ride to the nearby ruins would be ideal—for those young enough to be tempted.Kalina immediately knew her parents would join the elder Blackstones and others who opted to stay behind.

She was rather excited to see some of England’s history, though Lady Astrid described it as “a bunch of stones set atop each other, which have not yet toppled over.”The lady did admit that the scenery around the old church and buildings was picturesque, rather ‘gothic’.

There was only one problem.

“Ah… I do not know how to ride,” Kalina admitted when the conversation lulled, once she realized it would be necessary.What she did not say was that she did not know how to ride because she was afraid of horses, and the idea of getting on the back of one of the huge creatures was beyond her ken.She had not ridden elephants in India, either, though she was not as wary of them.

After seeing a horse roll over and nearly crush a young neighbor, Kalina had refused to even make the attempt.

“Oh, do not worry,” Lady Astrid said, looking about her expectantly.“I am certain one of the gentlemen would be happy to take you in the curricle.Drake has experience with our set of grays.”

“I was going to ride beside you.On my horse.”He bared his teeth at her in semblance of a smile, which she returned with equal false sincerity.

“I would be happy to take Miss Little in the curricle,” Montagu said, smiling at her.

She felt her heart lift with relief that she would not be left behind.

“Thank you,” she replied fervently.“I would hate to miss the ruins.”

“We certainly cannot have you left behind,” he replied with feeling.There was something about the way he said it… was he flirting with her?But not the blatant flirting he had done, that he did do, with all the women who crossed his path.This seemed more intentional.More focused.

She was not sure what to think.

But Hereford was glaring at her again.

8

Nathanial

He should have offered to drive a curricle for Miss Little.

No, I should not have.I am trying to spend more time with the other ladies and less time with her.

Doing so would be a kind of declaration I am not going to make.At least, not with Miss Little.

Was it a declaration on Christian’s part?Was he now pursuing Miss Little in earnest?Or was it one of his games?

Christian rarely took anything seriously, but something about the way he was acting around Miss Little now made Nathanial wonder…

As the horses were being saddled, he could not help but watch where Christian was helping Miss Little into the curricle.Did her hand linger just a touch too long?Was the way Christian was looking at her part of his normally flirtatious nature, or was there something more there?

Damnation, why the bloody hell had Christian offered to drive her in the first place?

“Your Grace, would you mind helping me onto my horse?”Lady Kari drew Nathanial’s attention away from the curricle, where Christian was now climbing in.He said something that made Miss Little laugh as he did so.

“Yes, of course,” Nathanial said brusquely, turning away from the view.It was no matter to him what Christian and Miss Little did or did not do.