Page 39 of His Ruined Duchess

Knock, knock, knock.

Hugh sighed, his shoulders drooping. It had been hardly any time at all, and he was already being interrupted. Standing from his seat, he crossed the study to the door and pulled it open.

“Yes, what is it. I am quite?—”

Selina stood before him, her hand still held aloft as if she might knock again, but this time on his chest. Her brows were up to her hairline. It was apparent that she didn’t think he would answer so quickly.

“Your Grace.” Selina kept her voice level, but he could see the thread of tension in her posture, in the way she narrowed her eyes at him ever so slightly. “I wished to inform you that I will be taking my sisters and mother into town. There is another event of the Season approaching, and we require attire.”

She’d come all this way to tell me that she was spending more of the estate’s money?Hugh bit back a groan, resisting the urge to roll his eyes, and instead he simply nodded at her.

“Very well. See that you all find something appropriate for the event.”

The rigid set of Selina’s spine stiffened all the more, and the look she gave him slowly melted from merely steely to downright upset. They had not spoken about last night, nor had they spoken about any of the times they had acted foolishly, and if he didn’t know better, Hugh would have said that Selina was angry with him about it.

He returned her glare. “Are you quite well, Selina? Is there more that you require for your outing?”

The Dowager’s lessons had paid off, and Hugh conducted himself as neutrally as she had instructed. His expression was calm, and he did not raise his voice. If it weren’t for the fact that they were both staring daggers at each other, it could have passed for a friendly exchange.

“That is all. That isallyou wish to say to me.”

So much for civility.

Smirking, Hugh sighed and turned his back on Selina, crossing the room back toward his desk.

“I had not thought there was more to discuss.” When he reached the wooden expanse that held his papers, Hugh spun around once more, leaning back on the edge. “Though I also would have thought you would have been in a better mood, considering that you were treated to a ratherpleasurableevening.”

Selina shot forward into the room but not without closing the door behind her. The pretenses were gone as she approached him, her anger plain on her face.

“How dare you.” Her eyes blazed. “Yes, I am upset. You stole me out of that ball and?—”

“And what? Gave you a release? Allowed you to reach a climax which had likely been the first of your life? There is no reason to be up in arms about it, Selina. Calm yourself.”

“Ugh!” she scoffed at him, her eyes wide as she reeled back. “You stole me from an interaction and seduced me into that hallway. And then you just left! I stood alone in that hallway, terrified of returning to the ball.”

He had left her there. Hugh knew this all too well. But he couldn’t remain. He had threatened her standing by taking her like that, and as much as it pained him to admit, Hugh didn’t wish to tarnish Selina’s reputation. In fact, the thought of doing so nearly brought him to his knees.

Get out of this, Hugh. Do not let her see. Get Selina to leave.

“Oh, come now. It was a bit of fun. Nothing to be overly serious about. And honestly, barging in here like this. I should punish you. After all, I have so much more leverage against you now, don’t I?”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Hugh regretted them. He had intended to come across as teasing. He had intended to distance himself from her simply. Selina could not be sullied by his own actions, but it was all wrong, and the utter shock and hurt on her face told him he was right.

“I…” Hugh could see Selina fight back a sob, her eyes glassy as she stared at him unblinking. “I am done with this. You cannot treat me this way. Like I am so insignificant with no care for my standing, my dignity, or my feelings.”

As much as he should have, Hugh did not expect the words, and they lanced across his skin like a slap. A defensive need rushed forward in him, his pride wounded by Selina’s words.

“When—” He had to swallow to ease the tightness of his throat. “When have ‘treated you soinsignificantly’?”

“Have you lost your mind?” Selina returned, her brows pinched together and low over her eyes. “That is all you have done. You have pulled me in only to push me away again. You interact with me as if I were just some item to be used for your entertainment or personal gain. You issue ultimatums before we have even met and then enforce them with malice when we have finally spoken. You make threats against my honor and reputation regardingcrimes that you are mostcertainlyguilty of yourself. I—I cannot. I am done.”

Hugh’s stomach clenched, revolting at the notion of keeping his breakfast within it. Every nerve in his body screamed silently, and a terrible pinch set up shop beneath his ribs. Had he not known that he was as fit as a horse, he would have worried about apoplexy.

But it was not that. He did not know what it was, only that it hurt. Terribly.

Moreover, Hugh knew at this moment that his first instinct had been right. He needed to have the women in this house out from under his control and responsibility as quickly as possible. It would not serve them to be under his care, not in the slightest.

He thought of the command he’d given Selina to find a match.

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