Sorry, a bit long:
Perhaps the skirt is symbolism on how he makes her feel feminine; she would wear a skirt for him if he asked her to. I do also want her to keep her manly ways but the moment was painted as her baring her true feelings and subsequently asking for acceptance from her. She is vulnerable, something she normally isn't. She's had crushes and admired men before but this may be the first time she is actually feeling love. She's been mopey because she knew she could not act upon her feelings nor ignore them.
Quite different from the duke, whose vulnerabilities are ruled by a mix of anger and fear. He tried to protect himself from emotional pain and Lindsey chose the opposite. If he validates her, she still has to leave but they win this emotional landmark. If he rejects her for being a woman in disguise, she will be forced out and potentially grow emotionally stronger from the ordeal.
If they do get to that reveal at all, I don't think there is an immediate chance he will reject her. He most likely won't think as to why she has mascaraded as a man until they have had their full validation of mutual feelings.
In the beginning she was visibly upset over having to cut off her hair because that's how she showed her femininity. She brought this up, she's tall and muscular but she's still femine and wants to be seen as a girl. Also now that her is short dresses are the way to go if she wants to be seen as one.
I was thinking more on this and i think youre right. Its been a very long time since i read the beginning but i think when she had a fantasy of dating the prince she was dressed very cutely and it was a romantic scene. I really hope she wont lose her strength and manliness, but i do see the dress as less out of the blue now. Also if any of those scenarios you mentioned happen, it would be so exciting so now im kinda hyped for the next chapter
Agree with you 100%. For me, the dresses weren't out of scene at all since it was hinted many times that she wanted to be seen as more feminine yet sacrificed her wishes for the prince's requests and to stay by his side
Ok im sorry but why is Lindsey's inner self so girly? She never wore dresses unless undercover and she has always described herself as manly, but she keeps acting like a damsel in distress in the later chapters. I wanted more heroism for her, not to slowly become a pretty noble lady