Page 44 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

The ladies exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by this display of affection. Rowan remained frozen, his eyes fixed on Selina with an unreadable expression.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Lord Halston said cheerfully, “I believe Lord Marlow is signaling for the Duke’s attention.”

The group dispersed, and Felix grinned at them both. “Masterfully done. Though I believe Rowan may need smelling salts after that performance.”

Selina withdrew her hand from Rowan’s arm, suddenly embarrassed by her boldness. “Sometimes a demonstration is more effective than words.”

“You’re quite the actress,” Rowan remarked after several minutes of silence in the carriage.

“Necessity teaches many skills,” she replied, watching London pass by the window. “My first husband required a convincing show of wifely devotion at social gatherings, despite our private arrangement.”

“Private arrangement?”

Selina hesitated, then decided the truth was simpler than evasion. “It was a convenient match. Appearances had to be maintained.”

“I see.”

Another silence fell, less strained than before. As the carriage turned onto their street, Rowan spoke again.

“Thank you for your quick thinking with Lady Endicott. I’m not… accustomed to discussing my personal affairs.”

“I noticed,” Selina said dryly. “Perhaps someday you might share your actual interests with me. It would make future performances more convincing.”

A ghost of a smile touched Rowan’s lips. “Perhaps I shall.”

As he handed her down from the carriage, his fingers closed around hers a moment longer than necessary. The brief contact sent warmth coursing through her veins, a reminder of the spark that had ignited between them at the opera.

Whatever game fate was playing with them, whatever secrets Rowan kept, Selina could no longer deny the attraction that simmered beneath their careful distance.

And judging by the way his eyes lingered on her face before he turned away, neither could he.

CHAPTER 15

“So,” Felix said, bursting through the drawing room door with a newspaper clutched in his hand. “The gossip rags are having a field day with your performance at the Marlows’.”

Selina looked up from her embroidery, startled by the intrusion. Rowan, who had been reading by the window, merely sighed.

“Good afternoon to you too, Felix,” he said dryly. “Do come in. Make yourself at home.”

Felix ignored the sarcasm, thrusting the paper at Rowan. “Page three. Society column.”

Rowan scanned the page, his expression darkening. “Absurd speculation.”

“Let me see,” Selina said, setting aside her needlework.

Rowan hesitated, then passed her the paper. The column was bordered with an ornate design, the ink still fresh enough to scent the air.

“The Duke and Duchess of Aldermere made their first public appearance since their hasty nuptials,” Selina read aloud. “While the couple performed an admirable charade of marital harmony, this correspondent notes that their affection appeared rehearsed rather than genuine. One wonders what urgent circumstance precipitated such a match, particularly given the Duke’s mysterious year-long absence and subsequent determination to claim a bride who had already pledged herself elsewhere.”

She lowered the paper, her cheeks warm with indignation. “How dare they.”

“Society thrives on scandal,” Felix said, dropping into a chair. “And your situation has provided a feast.”

“Let them talk,” Rowan said, turning back to his book. “It will pass.”

“It will pass faster if you give them something else to talk about.” Felix leaned forward, his expression unusually serious. “You need to be seen together, behaving like an actual married couple rather than polite strangers.”

“And how do you propose we accomplish that?” Selina asked.

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