Page 35 of His Ruined Duchess

Hugh’s fingers dragged across her side, brushing the edge of her breast before they settled on her neck, pulling her toward him, beckoning her to give in, to enjoy another brief taste of him.

And she did.

Their lips met just as a breeze set the wisteria branches to dancing. Selina relished the way he tasted, the way he swept his tongue across the seam of her mouth before she eagerly gave him entry. This was far from proper, from advisable, and yet beneath this cloak of purple and green, the concerns over the world beyond faded into the background.

So, Selina remained there with him, stealing this moment of gentle caresses and kisses shielded from prying eyes and the light of day, the morning of their promenade.

Chapter Fifteen

Dearest Ethel,

Were you here, I have no doubt that you would chastise me. I have done something so horrendously foolish. Again. I have kissed the Duke. Hugh. It was beneath the branches of a wisteria tree in the park. We were meant to be on promenade and discussing the potential matches that I had found for marriage. And in truth, it did begin that way, but then…

I cannot believe how easily I fell into his arms. I am ashamed to say that I continue to be charmed by him, and I do not know how to correct my situation. Were you here, my dear Ethel, I know that you would have wise words to offer, no doubt delivered with a heaping dose of annoyance. You have never shied away from putting me in my place, and I fear I need that perspective now.

Please return my letter. I am deeply concerned about what the future holds, and I worry about you as well.

You simply must return home. Soon.

Your friend,

Selina

That evening, the entire estate was set to attend a ball held by Selina’s dear friends Charlotte and Frederick. Her sisters, however, had been informed by their mother that they must remain at home this time. They had been caught chatting with each other too many times during their tutoring sessions over the past few days, and the behavior had caught up with them.

So, it was Selina, her mother, and the Duke attended the ball, riding in the carriage as a group, which was decidedly preferable to the arrangement that had been nearly carried out before Selina knew that her sisters would be remaining behind. She could not sit alone in a carriage with Hugh.

Again, they had not discussed their moment of intimacy, and Selina had set her mind to keep it that way. It had been a grave error in judgment, and she needed to regain control of herself. The best way she could think to do that was to flirt and entertain as many eligible bachelors during the ball as possible.

That way, she would be focused on her actual task, finding a husband so that she could move away from Soulden estate—and away from Hugh.

The journey to the Mullens Estate did not take overlong, and Selina remained quiet through the entire trip. Once inside, she had begun her search for the first young man to whom she would acquaint herself, not looking back for even a moment. There was a host of viscounts and dukes in attendance and, of course, Magnus, Charlotte’s brother.

While their last meeting did not end well, Selina hoped that she might be able to smooth things over with her friend. He continued to be the best prospect. They were acquainted with each other already, both in need of marriage to solve a problem, and Selina had a feeling that he would not pressure her to perform wifely duties.

He truly was her best option.

Following their introduction, Selina sought Magnus out. She began to dance with him as soon as the first dance was called and the music started. She had taken it upon herself to get him to ask her which certainly went against the etiquette lessons she had instilled in Hugh, but she was desperate.

“Thank you for offering me a dance, Your Grace. It is lovely to see you again.”

Selina smiled at him, waiting for Magnus to respond when the steps of the dance would lead them back together again. It was only a brief few moments, but it felt like an eternity.

“It is. I apologize for how I left things when we spoke last. I know it was not you who wished for the encounter to sour.”

Spinning around and then meeting Magnus back in the middle of the line, Selina smiled and nodded.

“Of course not. I consider you a dear friend, and I know that we might be able to help each other quite effectively.”

Magnus’s posture seemed to relax, and Selina could hardly contain her relief. As they passed through the final steps of the dance, she cast a glance over her shoulder, feeling as if someone were sending invisible daggers into the back of her head.

Lo and behold, the Duke was watching her. She threw him a few glares here and there during the next dance which she also took with Magnus, but she was surprised to see that Hugh’s gaze remained fixed on her the entire time. There was not a second that passed that the man was not pinning her with his intense stare.

Will he not desist from sending his glares my way? The entire ballroom is sure to notice.

Selina’s frustration grew with each pass she made on the dance floor. Magnus was called after by some of his business associates, and she was forced to engage in several more rounds across the dance floor with a variety of partners. Each time she paused between dances or took a moment to laugh and flirt with the latest duke or viscount who sought her out, Selina would check over her shoulder at what expression Hugh wore.

It was clear that he was growing increasingly uncomfortable and irritated as she was, but he only had himself to blame for that.He could have come to speak to her at any time when they were at home during the day or even now. Hugh was fully capable of walking up to her and starting a conversation, and lord knew, the man did not care how it might look.

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