A butler stepped forward. In loud sonorous tones, much louder and more sonorous than he had introduced Elise and her family, he said, “His Grace, the Duke of Winderton, and Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Winderton.”
The duke had arrived.
Everyone around Elise seemed to be taking this arrival with a seriousness one would save for a king. Mothers pushed daughters forward. One almost tripped and fell.
Michael shook his head. “It is about time Winderton showed his face. He’s been missing for months.”
“Where has he been?” Dara asked.
“No one knows.” Michael made a scoffing sound. “I met him over a year ago.”
“And?” his wife prodded.
“He was another spoiled, petulant aristocrat who was not interested in helping with any bills before the Lords, including those on agriculture. He’d rather drink.”
Dara made a disgusted sound. “Dukes are a disappointment.”
“Some aren’t,” Michael answered. “Heis.”
Gwendolyn joined them from the dance floor. Her partner had rushed the niceties and hastily left her with her family so he could edge closer to the door. Perhaps he wished to be one of the first to greet the duke. “What in the world is happening?” she asked, confused.
“Winderton has arrived,” Michael said with great drama, making his wife and her sisters laugh.
And then he was there.The duke.
Elise saw movement by the door, but she couldn’t catch a glimpse of the special guest because so many others were welcoming him. Even the musicians slowed their playing. Apparently they, too, wished to see this mighty Winderton. However, after what Michael had said, Elise’s interest had waned. That is, until a woman swooned.
Several arms caught her before she fell.
Gwendolyn sent a look to Elise. “Can you believe this?”
“I’m curious now,” Elise had to admit. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over the crowd—
She caught a glimpse—but it was enough.
Kit was here.She saw him.
She started forward, forgetting her sisters, forgetting where she was. This duke meant nothing to her. The man she wanted, the one who was important, was in the crowd by the door. She’d seen Kit.HerKit.
However, she didn’t know if she could reach him. He was in the deep knot of guests welcoming the duke. She’d have to wend her way around them and she didn’t know if it was possible.
Because everyone had shifted to the door, the space at the center of the dance floor was empty. She moved to it and waited. Kit would find her here. He would see her and come to her. She clasped her hands in anticipation.
And then the crowd seemed to part and Kit walked forward...
He had never appeared so fine. His hair hadbeen cut. She noticed that immediately. And he was clean-shaven. He wore black evening attire. His waistcoat was red brocade.
Those were the changes.
Everything else about him was exactly as she recalled. The loose-hipped walk. The crooked smile. Gray eyes full of humor, understanding...and love. So full of love. Elise launched herself toward that love. He caught her up in his arms as if he would never let her go.
Kit still carried the scent of the forests and the rain and adventure. She held him tight, reveling in the feel of his body against hers.
And then she looked up at him and noticed faint bruises. And his nose—
“He broke your nose,” she said with concern.
“It is nothing,” he assured her. “It is practically healed.” He smiled down at her. “The things I do for you.”
