Page 28 of The Duke's Indecent Match

“At any rate, I do not wish to antagonize our friends nor their wives,” Christian said, returning to the topic of Miss Little.“But I must admit there is something about her.She’s beautiful, of course.”

“Of course.”

“Very easy to talk to.”

“Very,” Nathanial agreed.Too easy in some regards.

“Smart.And kind.”

“She is both.”

“However, I would also not want to marry a woman who one of my friends has atendrefor.”It was Christian’s turn again, but he was not looking at the billiards table; he was looking at Nathanial.“I would not expect my wife’s fidelity if I cannot give it to her as well, but it seems a terrible thing to have to worry she might prefer one of my friends to me.”

“I…” Nathanial started to speak, then stopped.He tried to meet Christian’s gaze, to reassure him that he held no suchtendrefor Miss Little… and he could not.“I cannot marry her.She is not the right bride for me.No matter my own emotions, my choice must be logical, not…” Not what his heart desired.The unspoken words hung in the air.He could not bring himself to say them out loud, could not bring himself to admit the truth.

Christian nodded slowly.

“Well, then.I am not sure I can marry her, either.”

Frowning, Nathanial looked at the floor.He did not like to think that he was denying Miss Little a ducal husband, merely because they were all his friends, and yet… Still.There were others she could marry who would give her family a high station.While it was unlikely her grandfather would unbend enough to acknowledge her family unless she married a duke, surely it could not be allthatimportant to gain one man’s approval.

Especially since it was more likely to be a begrudging acknowledgment rather than a true welcome back into the family fold.He could even be said to be doing her a favor, so she was not wasting her life trying to follow the strictures of a stuck-up old man who cared more about whether his sons followed his commands than if they were happy.Because it was clear that Mr.Little and his wife were very happy together.

That was what he wanted for his own sisters, their happiness.He was willing to pay any price for that.That the marquess could not for his sons was a defect in him, not in Miss Little or her parents.

Christian bent back over the table.

Something caught Nathanial’s eye, movement or a shadow, and he turned to look.The door was partway open, in case anyone wanted to come join them, but he did not see anyone standing there now.Perhaps someone had been walking by, or maybe he was mistaken in what he had seen.He was a mite distracted after all.

Kalina

Too wound up to actually fall asleep, Kalina lay in her bed and tried to concentrate on reading her book.

It was extremely difficult.

Her mind kept wandering.

To the Duke of Hereford.

The Duke of Montagu.

Was Christian courting her?Or was he merely being friendly?The significant looks some of the other ladies had shared with her indicated they thought he was courting her.That he had offered to take her up in the curricle both to and from the ruins would seem to indicate some kind of interest.

But how in earnest was he?

When he’d danced with her, he’d indicated he was helping her to draw others’ interest.Not that he was acting for his own benefit.Perhaps today had been more of the same.

Though none of the other dukes were stepping forward in the same manner, despite Christian’s actions.

Only the Duke of Hereford had looked twice at them this afternoon.

Who was the Duke of Hereford courting?

She blew out a long, slow breath.

A knock at her door made her sit up.

“Kalina, it’s me.”Her mother’s calm voice was light, but pitched to be heard through the thick door.If Kalina had been asleep, it would never have woken her, but her mother knew she rarely napped since they’d arrived in England.