Page 23 of His Ruined Duchess

Magnus cocked a brow, regarding her. “Oh, is that so? Because I seem to recall you comparing a full household with them to a barnyard during mating season?”

Selina chuckled, nodding as she gestured in agreement with Magnus.

“I did say that, yes. Perhaps I was being a bit too harsh on them. They are still so young after all.”

Together, they looked across the room toward Lydia and Myra, where they stood with their mother. The girls were having a terrible time listening to a lord’s words, Bridget resorting to elbowing each of them in the ribs so that they would pay attention.

“Though perhaps not.”

Magnus joined Selina in a laugh and then swept his arm out toward the adjoining room.

“Would you like to accompany me to acquire a refreshment?”

Selina grinned, taking Magnus’s offered elbow. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”

The man had seemed to relax somewhat. He was such an uptight sort of fellow, but at least now that Charlotte was settled, and the matter of their “secret” was not quite so dire, he appeared to be happier which suited him.

As they walked toward the servants, offering trays of full goblets, Selina lowered her voice to whisper to him.

“I hear that you are in search of a wife, Magnus. Is this true?”

Magnus faltered only briefly, taking two glasses from the attendant and delivering one to Selina. After clearing his throat, he took a sip of his wine and nodded. His expression was rather grim, however, and Selina took note of it.

“I am looking for a bride, yes. But I am not—I am not looking for anactualwife.” Magnus kept his voice especially quiet. “I require a woman who might be a mother to Kitty. Charlotte has too much on her plate, despite what she might say, and it would be best if Kitty had undivided attention after everything that she’s been going through with her birth mother. I fear that poor woman won’t make it longer than a few months.”

“Oh, Magnus. I understand, and I know that you and your sister have done a great deal for them. It is a sorrowful future ahead of the young girl, to be certain, but you are right. A home, a mother, it could be exactly what she needs to prosper.”

Selina put a hand on his shoulder, offering Magnus a soothing glance. She also knew that the prospect of being a steward over a child she did not have to bear was a more appealing fate than finding herself wed to a man looking formuchmore.

“In fact,” she began, taking a moment to sip at her wine to steady her nerves, “the Duke of Soulden has set forth a requirement that I marry myself. In a rather short time frame, I might add.”

Magnus’s eyes flicked to hers, and she could see the understanding in his gaze. He was calculating the same outcomeas she was, aware that this might be the best way for both of them to get out of their rather prickly situations.

“I see.” He nodded at her, squinting his eyes.

The breath of possibility surrounded them, and Selina allowed herself to smile genuinely, without any performance. This could be it. She might finally have the?—

“Your Grace, how lovely to see you.”

Selina’s thoughts faltered as Magnus spoke over her shoulder, and she squeezed her lips together, refusing to turn around. The blasted man had an incredible way of interrupting things, and she honestly could not believe that he’d stumbled into their conversation right when Selina was about to propose the arrangement with Magnus.

“Evening.” The weight of the Duke’s presence forced Selina to turn around, and she was met with a stern glare. “Selina.”

Magnus coughed slightly again, clearly struck by the fact that the man before them insisted on using Selina’s name as opposed to her title even though they were obviously not on friendly terms. Selina did her best to put on a smile, ignoring the irritation that flared through her.

“Your Grace.” She ducked her head. “I was just having an important conversation with the Duke?—”

“About what, I wonder?” the man cut in, rudely interjecting himself into a private discussion.

Selina didn’t respond to his inquiry, instead glaring across at the Duke as she clenched her jaw. Magnus adjusted on his feet near her, stepping closer so that he might put a bit of distance between Selina and the source of her foul mood on her behalf.

“It appears that so much is to be discussed with the impending arrival of the Blackfords’ new child. I am thrilled for them.” He tilted his head at the Duke, gesturing with his wine glass. “And another grand change. How abrupt it must have been for the Dowager’s family, her young sisters, to be met with yourself, Your Grace.”

The look that Magnus gave the Duke was nothing short of scathing dislike, and Selina rolled her lips between her teeth to keep herself from laughing at the display. Still, the Duke glared at Magnus, the harsh intensity of his verdant stare like a blade of emerald directed at his opponent.

“Perhaps it is best if you keep your thoughts to yourownhousehold.”

Magnus stepped forward, challenge in his eyes, and the Duke met it sneer for sneer. They were going to tear each other apart like wild dogs fighting over a scrap of meat. It was utterly ridiculous.

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