Page 42 of His Ruined Duchess

Selina scoffed. She imagined that was quite so, but she would not take the bait this time. She had given up trying to reach this man. Turning her back on him, she reached for the knob once more. Selina had better things to do in this house than entertain Hugh’s arrogance.

“What do you even know about him?”

The hurried clip of Hugh’s steps rushed up behind her just as Selina pulled the door open. He grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to turn around and face him.

“What was he talking about? Knowing his ‘situation?’”

She yanked her arm out of his hold, not even bothering to glare. The man was not worth the effort to pin the expression on her face, even if a fire still roared in her veins whenever the man was close. Anger, she assured herself. It was anger and nothing more.

“It is none of your business. I do not exchange gossip, Your Grace. Do not look to me for it.” Stepping just past the threshold, Selina held Hugh’s eyes. “I have accepted the Duke of Aldworth’s request to court me with the intention of marrying him. You have your suitable match. I will arrange for Bridget to act as our chaperone during the upcoming events. Good day.”

She did not wait for the man to respond. She did not wait to see the reaction on his face change as the fury no doubt got the best of him. She would not. Selinacouldnot.

Walking quickly, she went straight to her room and shut the door behind her. Too many thoughts buzzed through her head, a matted nest of feeling tangled in her chest and pressing against her edges. She needed… she needed to talk to someone about all this.

And the only person to whom she had given the details was Ethel, so Selina reached for her quill and a fresh piece of parchment.

Dearest Ethel,

I hope this letter reaches you well. I have yet to hear from you although I will admit that these letters have still helped me. I only wish I knew if you were indeed receiving them and if you are all right and not suffering from some ailment that has forced you to leave London. That is the word that continues to spread, of course.

Selina chuckled to herself, knowing that there was no call for her to begin the letter this way.

It appears that even in letter form, I cannot help but stall. In truth, I am dragging out the truth of why I have written you. You are aware that I have kissed the Duke, and there is so much more now.

So much has come about in just the past few days.

Our friends held a ball, a beautiful affair, and you truly should have been there. Dearest Ethel, you should be at all of them. I know that the troubles that plague me now would not be so grand if you were here to guide me. I have always relied on you too much.

The ball was lovely, and I was able to speak to so many eligible men about the marriage that is still demanded of me. I had also learned previously that Magnus is in search of a bride, but more to act as mother to Kitty. Cordelia, it seems, is not in good health, and he wishes to find a mother for her. Hugh made a terrible impression on him, but during this last ball, I was able to smooth things over.

I will admit, though?—

Selina’s quill hovered over the page, even writing the words difficult. She sucked in a breath and rewet the quill in the ink pot, tapping it gently on the edge to ensure she had not soaked up too much.

I flirted with a viscount who was in conversation with Hugh during the ball. He accused me of provoking him, and as much as I do not want to, I must admit that he is right. I did. I sought out that man with that exact purpose in mind. The Duke had been eyeing me all evening, and Ihadwished to get a rise out of him. I was not prepared for what came after, however.

Hugh and I?—

Again, Selina hesitated, and she considered hard what she might say and how.

…went to a dark hallway. Things grew rather heated from there, and I allowed him closer than I should have. I remain intact, as it were, but I did something I shouldn’t have. Worse, the Duke said nothing of what happened the next day. Hebarely spoke to me. We fought after that, and I even scolded him in his study.

It is a mess, Ethel. But I have solidified my resolve to remain away from him. Magnus came to the estate just today with the intention of courting me, and I accepted. We will likely be engaged in just a few weeks’ time.

This is how it is meant to be. Magnus has been a dear friend of ours, and I trust him to treat me well enough during a marriage. I must admit that I also hope he will remain distant as Easton did.

Yes, this is all for the best. I am sure of it.

Please respond when you can. I miss you terribly, Ethel, and if I am to get married, you simply must return. I will not do it without my dearest friend present.

Your friend,

Selina

Chapter Nineteen

“Why, thank you, Magnus.” Selina took his hand as he helped her down from the carriage.

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