Page 8 of His Ruined Duchess

Dammit, I need to move. I—Hell!

As if it might help, Selina hurried toward the bookshelves, pressing herself into a corner and covering her face with her hands. Peeking through the gaps in her fingers as she risked turning over her shoulder, the anxiety strong enough to swallow her whole, Selina watched helplessly as the Widow Darrington spun around and fled from the room.

In some miracle, however, the woman had flattened her hands to her face. Darrington tore from the library without so much as looking up before she flung the door shut behind her, leaving Selina unnoticed as she stood against the books, attempting to make herself as small as possible.

And then it was quiet.

It dragged on, moment after moment, until Selina was forced to turn around—curiosity and embarrassment and the need to know what the hell was going on battling within her like titans. When she did, of course, she was met with the ardent stare of the Duke once more, and once more, she found herself unable to move when he looked at her like that.

Images and memories of the study swam in her mind, colliding with the present as Selina faced off yet again with the Duke. If anything, the way the man looked at her now was all the stronger, all the darker, and more unhinged than it had been then. What had she done by stumbling into this room… and not leaving it as she should have?

Why didn’t I just go? Ugh, I need to get out?—

“Come here, Selina,” he spoke, his words interrupting her tirade of thoughts.

The way he stared, and that blasted use of her name, had Selina moving before she could think better of it. It was as if she’d had too much to drink. And while it had been some time since she’d allowed herself to fall into that trap, Selina still remembered the feeling of intoxication, the way it made her mind fuzzy and her skin buzz. This was no different, and she feared that the results would be just as devastating.

When she at last stood before him, cognizant enough to keep at least a foot between herself and the Duke, Selina let out a shuddering breath, and the man’s pupils visibly dilated.

“Look at that. She can obey.”

Selina’s irritation flared beneath the heady feeling of arousal and embarrassment. She wanted to speak up, to challenge his blasted attitude, but her mouth could not form the words. Selina’s pulse rushed, the heat and feverish beat felt in every inch of her flesh, screaming through her ears. This was ridiculous after all. She’d caught the man in here in a highly inappropriate situation.

But before she could gather herself to speak, the Duke closed in on her, putting his hand on her waist.

It was as if he’d struck her with a lightning bolt. Selina jumped, a squeak leaving her as the heat in her cheeks flared hotter and hotter.

“What are you?—”

Again, the Duke shocked her, pulling Selina against his chest. And God, the feeling of him. He was hard muscles against her, the firm stance of his body impressive and slightly terrifying. She felt dwarfed by him, and the Duke held her there so firmly that she couldn’t simply slip away.

“You’re rather flushed, Selina.” The man had the gall to lean forward, brushing his lips against the sensitive flesh of her ear which made goosebumps flicker to life all over her. “Did you like what you saw? Have you been standing there, imagining me pressing you against me like I am now?”

How could he be saying these things? The Duke just had another woman in his arms, and though he’d told her he was not interested, and though he had been staring at Selina the entire time, this wasn’t right. Still, she was distracted by the feeling of him against her. Everywhere their bodies touched, a silent scream in her brain begged for more.

“Or perhaps you were even imagining more. Hmm, Selina? Was that pretty little head of yours swimming with ideas?”

The insinuation shocked Selina enough to snap back to reality. She pushed the Duke away, yanking herself backward to put some much-needed distance between them. She was still roiling with internal fire, her face burning as her breath came and went in tiny needy puffs.

“How dare you,” she managed to squeak out. “I am a lady, Your Grace.”

More of Selina’s confidence returned, and she shook her head, glaring at the man before her with unrestrained fury. He had put her into a terrible situation, and she knew precisely what kind of man he was now.

“And it appears that you are nothing but a rake. What on earth were you doing in here with that woman? Did you truly wish to-to bed her right in the library? I willnothave it. And I am nothing like that. I have imaginednothing.”

Selina’s voice had increased steadily in volume as her mind came back to her, and she stomped a foot at the end of her tirade, ever more furious with the man who stood so smugly before her.

“Careful, Selina. That voice of yours carries.” He narrowed his eyes on her, the Duke’s striking green eyes still twinkling. “I hardly think it will matter to anyone that you are over there. They will see us alone in the room together. Is that what you want?”

Selina clamped her mouth shut, seething as she considered the Duke’s words. It was true that no one would bother with the details. Rumors would spread about them in moments. That was the way of the ton, and she knew that better than most, considering what had happened with dear Amelia.

“And not that it’s any of your business, but I was conducting a private matter in a private location. You are the one who bargedin.” Selina scoffed, but the man kept right on going. “Should I have entertained Darrington’s proposal in the dining room, then?”

“That is not what I said, and you are well aware of the fact that the door was open. I was merely checking on the status of my own home.”

The Duke smirked. “Oh, were you then? I see. But you did not leave, Selina. You remained right there.” He gestured with his head at the floor. “I should think that it is you who are the scandalous one. A voyeur peeking in on a confidential moment.”

Selina’s mouth dropped open, and she bristled from head to foot. The animosity between them ticked up all the higher, and she raised her brows, ready to tear into the man for implying such things about her.

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