Page 36 of His Ruined Duchess

Though he’d been trying to adhere to the rules of polite society, Selina could hardly believe that he wouldn’t toss them aside whenever it suited him.

The music paused to allow those dancing to refresh themselves and obtain a beverage. Selina slipped from the dance floor to the small balcony that sat just outside the room. The curved structure was almost cramped, but it was perfect for someone—or perhaps a couple—to steal out into the night air and cool their heated skin.

“Not once,” she grumbled to herself, “not once has he tried to speak with me about the park.”

Selina was alone with no one to hear her complaints, thankfully, and her mind spun as she considered how abruptly things had changed beneath that wisteria tree. She’d lost herself to the feeling of Hugh’s lips on hers, and then, nearly as quickly as it had started, he’d yanked himself back from her and fled without a word.

Something plagued him. Whether it was illness or a malady of the mind, Selina did not know. However, he sent her mixed messages that she was still reeling from hours later. Selina was desperate for her friend Ethel’s return. She could not speak toanyone about her current predicament, and it felt incredibly lonely to carry the weight of it by herself.

Selina considered speaking with Charlotte about all this. They had grown quite close, but her friend’s life was already becoming overwhelmingly busy with her new husband. She didn’t wish to burden her. And that went double for Amelia.

I must do something. But what? What will get that man to either say something or…combust since he continues to send his fiery gazes at me?

And then an idea formed in her mind, wicked and risky, but Selina was through being stared at while no words were exchanged. She was done with allowing that man to decide how and when anything might or might not progress between them. She was seizing control for herself.

Spinning on her heel, Selina strode out of the balcony’s private space and straight back into the ballroom. She walked with purpose as she circled the room, spotting the Duke standing near the back of the room. He was speaking with one of the viscounts with whom she had not danced yet.

Perfect.

Striding up to the man, noting that he was nearly ungodly tall with fine blonde hair that curled around his ears, Selina put on her most effectual grin and stopped a few feet shy of where he stood near the wall. Selina put her back toward him and then“accidentally” bumped into him as she placed her right foot behind her.

“Oh my goodness!” Selina let shock play on her face, clasping her hands in front of her mouth as she looked up at the Viscount. “I am terribly sorry. How terribly clumsy of me.”

Righting himself, the Viscount smiled gently down at her, dropping his conversation with the Duke mid-sentence.

“Oh, nothing to be concerned over, Your Grace. There was no harm done that a bit of sherry cannot fix.” His smile was warm enough, the scent of sweet drink flowing off him in waves.

“You are too kind,” Selina offered smoothly, curtseying gracefully before rising and offering a very particular type of grin. “Viscount Beaumont, correct? It is lovely to see you this Season.”

He looked pleasantly surprised that Selina had remembered him. In truth, she could only recall seeing the man at a few gatherings the previous year, but it was hardly the first time she pretended to recall someone more than she did.

“Why, thank you, Your Grace. It is a lovely evening. Such wonderful, spirited dancing. I shall make it a point to join during this next round.”

Chuckling melodically, Selina leaned forward, playfully patting the Viscount on the arm.

“Oh, please do! It is marvelous to skitter about the dance floor, and I am looking for several more fine gentlemen like yourself to fill up my dance card.”

Just out of the corner of her eye, past the Viscount, Selina could see the Duke standing just a foot or two behind the man. He scowled so hard she was sure his face might remain that way permanently if he did not blink or smile in the next few moments. Her plan was working.

“I do hope that I might findmyselfon your dance card, Your Grace.”

The Viscount put his hand over hers then clasped it with both, a clear invitation of interest. And then, quicker than Selina could blink, the Duke swooped up to her side, sliding his arm beneath hers and hoisting her away from the Viscount and toward the door to their right that led out into the hallway.

“Excuse us,” he growled though she couldn’t be certain if the Viscount had even heard him.

Hugh’s expression was fire and frenzy as he led them out of the ballroom and into the hall. Guests lingered there, making idle conversation. He dropped her arm but continued forward down a long hall that stretched around into the shadows somewhere unseen.

Well, he’s certainly upset. Ugh, I shall go smooth it over.

Sighing to herself, Selina made sure the few people around her didn’t notice as she followed the Duke down the hall. The entry to this secondary hall was still visible to the others, so she walked down further to where the lightning was almost non-existent.

Just as she rounded another turn, Hugh grabbed her by the shoulders and pinned her against the wall. She let out a tiny gasp which he covered with his hand, staring down into her eye with a terrifying yet intriguing glare.

“And just what did you think you were doing?”

Chapter Sixteen

Hugh’s blood boiled in his veins, the lingering memory of the Viscount laying hands on Selina searing into him with the force of a terrible blaze. He’d touched her, and escaping with Selina to this secluded hall was all Hugh could do to keep himself from throttling the man within an inch of his life.

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