Page 52 of Seeking Ruin

Epilogue

Kitty stepped out of the carriage, nodding cordially at a slack jawed group of dandies passing by. She stared up at the impressive façade of The White Heather, anticipation thrumming through her veins.

“I find the excitement on your face rather worrying, Wife. I do hope you meant it when you said you wouldn’t truly gamble my fortune away,” Sebastian’s smooth voice drawled as he stepped out beside her.

She clutched his arm with a laugh, the sound of it making a pair of masked ladies jump on their way up the front steps of the club. Others began whispering excitedly to one another, no doubt scandalized by her unmasked presence. Kitty scowled at the sight. “I am not sure why I should be expected to disguise myself. Everyone knows I’m the only woman allowed to follow you about places.”

He looked down at her, heat hidden amongst his playful gaze. “I rather miss the mask, to be honest. It reminds me of Vauxhall.” There was no doubt about what part of that memory he referred to.

Kitty almost wished she had been able to squeeze into her pink gown, but their daughter had only been born a scant three months ago, and her breasts had barely fit into the garment before her pregnancy as it was. Though, Sebastian hardly seemed to mind her current attire, if the rather heated smolder he was giving her was any indication. “Behave yourself tonight,” she muttered with a teasing smile. “I’d like to see our friends for a while without you dragging me into a darkened corner somewhere.”

“As the duchess commands,” he replied with mock severity. From the twinkle in his dark eyes, Kitty knew she would have to be on guard tonight. Their time was limited as it was, her not wanting to be away from their little Georgiana for more than a few hours, even if the girl’s nurse was more than capable. She smiled in anticipation at the thought of reveling with their friends, for even Sophie had been convinced to come out tonight.

“Shall we be off then, my love?” Sebastian said, breaking her train of thought.

She looked up at his handsome profile, love and affection threatening to explode within her. “I would love nothing more, Your Grace.”