Excerpt of Matronly Duties by Melissa Kendall

My body shakes at the thought of what could have happened to me yet again. I’ve heard
stories about the slums, and I have to take a few deep breaths to calm myself.

“I was silly running away, I get it. I just couldn’t stay in your home any longer.”

Howard sighs. “Just because my parents raised us with traditionalist values doesn’t mean
we are anything like the Trads. You accused us of being a drain on society, but you don’t
even know us.”

“You’re right, I don’t. But you don’t know me either. If you did, you would understand
why it’s hard for me to understand your way of life. It goes against every law, moral,
and convention I’ve been taught. So I can’t be sorry for what I said, even if I’m sorry I
ran out of the house.”

Howard takes a deep breath, then exhales long and slow. The expression on his face looks
a bit like pity but with a dash of guilt mixed in. “Look, maybe I’ve judged you unfairly
based on preconceived notions, but—”

A loud bang echoes outside. Howard glances at me with a panicked look on his face, and
then pulls me off the crate onto the floor behind. I sit up, and turn to yell at him, but
male voices outside keep my mouth closed. I instead huddle closer to Howard as he puts
his hand around my shoulders. He pulls me in until I’m tucked against him.

“Did you see where she went?” a man’s voice asks.

“Nah, she just vanished.” The voice of this one sounds young.

“Damn, the boss isn’t going to be pleased about this.”

The crunch of shoes against pavement indicates they are on the move again. The sounds
trail off until they’re no longer audible. I sigh in relief, all the tension fleeing my
body.
“Are you okay?’ Howard asks, rubbing my shoulder.

I glance up, only then noticing how little space is between us. His blue eyes have flecks
of grey in them, and there’s a smattering of freckles covering his nose and cheeks. His
warm breath tickles my cheek almost like a caress, and his jaw has the barest hint of a
five o’clock shadow. He really is captivating.

“I’m fine,” I eventually say, the words a mere whisper.

The butterflies in my stomach return with a vengeance. Howard licks his lips as they turn
up ever so slightly in a smile.

“Good.”

I can’t stop the sigh that slips past my own lips. Howard leans forward a little, then
moves closer still until his mouth is pressed against mine. I don’t dare move. A zing of
something, I’m not sure whether it’s pleasure or fear, shoots through me. His lips are
soft and wet, and the sensation is unlike anything I’ve felt before. I can’t even decide
if I want him to continue or stop. When he pulls away though, a feeling of disappointment
bubbles up inside me.

My first kiss.

Goosebumps cover me from head to toe, and unbidden, my fingers move to my lips. Glancing
at Howard, he stares at me for a minute, then moves to sit further away.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

I shrug. “It’s okay.”

Howard frowns and then looks across the room.

Part of Matron training is learning not to form close relationships. It doesn’t mean it
never happens. I’ve heard the odd story here and there from the other women, and I
realise that’s probably what Gail was trying to tell me at breakfast the other day. But
in all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I had real physical contact with anyone,
above all with a man.

We sit in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Tension rolls off Howard in waves.
“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Come on,” Howard whispers. “We need to get to the house before those guys come
back.”