They were almost in sight of the house when Willa said, “I’m glad you told me of the blackmail. It explains much.”
“Do you think I should leave it be?”
She looked at him. “I think each of us has to do what we individually think is right.”
He didn’t believe she was talking about Hardesty.
The strength of his parents’ love for each other came to mind. It had been an unbreakable bond. One that he’d longed to have in his life. He knew it had called for great trust between his parents. Or had they just been lucky? There was the mystery.
He’d thought he’d found that strong a love once, and now, because of his own foolishness—no, weakness—he felt sad that he might not have it with Willa.
If Matt had his way that evening, he would have stayed home. He and Willa. Their conversation had unsettled him. He didn’t like the way he felt about himself.
However, he also needed to introduce his duchess to Society. Minerva was correct in announcing that it would be a good event for him and Willa to attend.
He gave the bedroom over to Willa and Annie. They, too, understood that this evening would be the Duchess of Camberly’s debut in Society. The primping went on for a good two hours.
However, as Willa made her way down the steps to join him waiting with Minerva in the front hall, Matt could say their time had been well spent.
Willa was always lovely to him but, tonight, with her hair piled high on her head and wearing a dress of cream gauze trimmed in gold ribbons and lace, she was spectacular. She wore a delicate, long gold chain around her neck and kid gloves up to her elbows. Her every gesture was feminine grace.
Watching her, something deep within him began to open.
“See?” his grandmother said quietly behind him. “I would not suggest just anyone for you to marry. Not for the title.”
How like one of his grandparents to take full credit for the marriage, and yet, it was true. She’d prodded him to ask for Willa and now he could confirm it was the wisest decision of his life.
He met Willa at the stairs, taking her gloved hand. “Every man will be jealous of me this evening.”
She blushed, and he wanted to take her right back upstairs and have his way with her.
Most of all, he wanted to turn back time to before they’d been so honest with each other.
They set off for Evanston’s home. There was a queue of coaches and vehicles waiting to release their passengers at the front door. Matt’s driver and footman shouted to make way for the Duke of Camberly. Evanston’s servants quickly waved them forward. The other guests whose places they had supplanted craned their necks as if trying to look into their coach. Matt knew they were anxious to claim the first glimpse of his duchess.
A servant opened the coach door at Evanston’s front step. Matt jumped out and then helped the ladies.
Inside, the ballroom was a crush of people. It took a good ten minutes for Matt and his ladies to make it from the step to inside the front door and the receiving line.
Lady Evanston was considered a leading hostess. She was a willowy woman with a slender face and a braying laugh. She happily informed Matt’s party that she had christened the evening “an Adventure in Greece.”
To that end, giant Greek boats made of paper, wood, and glue had been hung from the ornate ceiling so they seemed to float in the air above everyone. More than one gentleman whispered that he prayed they didn’t come close to any candles. Meanwhile, male servants in Evanston livery wore Minotaur masks that covered their whole heads and shoulders, as if they were hairy beasts.
The room hummed with the voices of men and women greeting one another while musicians readied themselves for dancing.
Minerva immediately noticed a group of her friends. She turned to Matt. “I’ll see you at supper.” She referred to the light meal that would be served around midnight to fortify guests at a ball such as this. Matt could only imagine how much food it would take to feed this army of guests.
“Well, now we are free to do whatever we wish.” He let his hand find Willa’s. “How many points for a dance?”
“Three.”
“I wonder if I can earn at least fifteen points this evening?” he asked.
Willa shot him a sly look. “It might be possible. I understand the duchess is overly fond of you.”
He laughed, and suddenly realized he could fall in love with her. It would be different from what he’d felt for Letty. Their liaison had been filled with drama and secretiveness. There had been anticipation and heady excitement. What he was feeling for Willa was vastly different.
Matt kissed the back of her hand, a gesture, he noted, that was caught and then catalogued by many around them for possible gossip on the morrow.
