Page 20 of His Ruined Duchess

“Your late husband sent me this before his passing. You can verify the signature, I’m sure.” She looked back down at the words, still shaking her head. “So, as you can see, Easton requested that I assist you with finding a husband.”

“How did you get this?” Selina’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and despite everything, Hugh felt…somethingstir within him at the sight.

“It was delivered to me at the reading of his will. I was required to be there as the next heir, and it is clear that Easton knew of this. He had addressed this missive to me specifically. You can see for yourself that yourhusbandbelieved you should remarry after him.”

The woman’s eyes continued to scan over the letter, again and again. Hugh watched as she focused on the page, the tension within him screwing tighter with each passing second.

“I do not know you well. That is clear and not being disputed. But it is also clear that your husband did. He knew what you would require—what you deserved—going forward, and it was his wish to see his widow marry for love this time around.”

Her eyes snapped to his, and Hugh could see the content billowing within them.

“I cared for my husband immensely.”

Hugh cocked his head, his stare dropping to the floor between us. “I am not questioning your loyalty as Easton’s wife. He said so in the letter himself. You two were not married for love, and while the relationship grew to be one of respect and admiration, you were not in love with each other. He wished for you to have that chance.”

“You did not know him in life. I did. I know what he would think about your demand if he were able to give his input.”

She looked enraged, so on edge that Hugh actually wondered if she might burst into a fit of screams or tear across the room to strike him. It didn’t dissuade the Duke, nor did it make him think of Selina any differently. He had read that letter backwards and forwards before arriving at the estate. He knew the words and what her late husband had meant.

“Your husband knew you, Selina. He knew what was best for you.” Hugh cleared his throat, looking back up at her and meeting her eyes unblinking. “Selina is among the finest people in the world. She is valued and valuable for exactly who she is. We did not marry for love but for her duty toward her family. She is kind and will do anything for those she loves. It is her turn to be loved for who she is.”

A tiny gasp escaped her as Hugh recited the letter word for word. She crumbled into herself and dropped her head. Without thinking, Hugh crossed the room, quickly standing in front of her as the first tear spilled over. He lifted his hand gently, wiping it away before it could slide down her cheek.

Taking his hand and holding it back from her skin, Selina glanced up at him. The well of her eyes was fathomless and sparkling, still brimming with tears. A light pink filled her cheeks, coloring her fair skin. Despite the situation, despite the warnings that Hugh had already told himself repeatedly, when he looked at her like that, something stirred in his blood.

Once more, Hugh’s body and subconscious mind demanded things of him he would not submit to. Selina was distraught, overwhelmed, and it was hardly the moment to press his lips to hers again as they had been last evening.

It wasneverthe time to do such a thing in fact.

“Why did you not inform me of this? Why wasInot made aware of it at the will reading I attended? If my husband had wantedthisfor me…” Selina sighed, dropping Hugh’s hand and turning away from him. “I had thought you were mindlessly trying to get me to marry again for some ridiculous form of entertainment or the desire to force everyone from the estate.”

Hugh chewed on the inside of his cheek, physically biting back his words. He had been looking to get them all out of the estate, each woman currently under his care, but it was also true that Easton had wanted happiness for his widow. And that was undoubtedly a better motivator for her to acquiesce.

When Selina turned back around to face him, something new lingered in her eyes. There was confusion and reminiscence, of course, but there was also a novel softness that touched her with regard to him. Hugh stiffened under that look, his skin overly tight and itchy.

It was an expression he’d seen on many of the young women he would take to bed. The naïve sort who were just beginning to accept him, to trust him enough to allow themselves to feel intrigued and aroused.

Hugh knew precisely what he could do with that pliant attitude, the lengths to which he might go with Selina if she were to look up to him as a more noble man than he was.

“Must I truly remarry? I understand that Easton wished it, and I am so grateful that he thought to care for me even in his late years, but I am more than comfortable as I am. If it is truly my happiness that he was concerned about, then he would clearly see that I am quite happy with my life as it is.”

She believes I will bend to this all now. Selina sees me differently after the letter… I… could… No. That cannot happen here.

“You are under the misconception that I am more amenable to your desires now, but I assure you, I will still be carrying out this last order from your late husband. Viewing me in a favorable light will not serve you, Selina.”

Her expression dropped, and she shook her head. Hugh had to steady himself against the look.

“I don’t understand. If this letter?—”

“I am not capable of taking care of you and your family. I will be far too busy, and it is highly likely that I will not be staying in town. I have several affairs I must tend to.”

Selina’s look of defeat sank deeper, her shoulders drooping. It made Hugh uncomfortable, and he reached for his collar, pullingit away from his skin in an attempt to cool his feverish skin and lessen the strain he felt with each breath.

He could not understand his reaction to seeing Selina in this state, and it was time for their meeting to come to an end.

“I have several matters that demand my attention. Please heed your late husband’s wishes as I am, Selina. I do not wish to discuss this further unless it is to strategize or deliver the good news. You may go.”

The shock on her face flared before melting into a mask of indifference. She was furious with him. Hugh could tell as much, but he had to admit that he was rather impressed with Selina that she did not say anything aggressive or rude.

---