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“Courage,” she laughed, “You mean my desperation to gain interest from the men of society.”

“I would like to speak more of that,” Hugo answered quickly. “A friend of mine shared only a little information about you. I would very much like to learn more.”

Seraphina looked at him, surprised, and as she met his eyes, her feet suddenly rooted to the floor, and she found herself unable tolook away. There were scars on his face, yes, but they were not what had her so transfixed. It was his eyes. So green. So…sage in wisdom. As if he had lived a thousand years and had seen far too much.

“I already know that you are fearless. Is that what has these London men so intimidated?”

She laughed, to her own surprise, and looked away, feeling herself blushing.

“I would certainly not say that,” she replied, “My mother at times says I am simple-minded. Sometimes I believe she is right.”

“I do not believe that for a moment,” the Duke replied readily. “Though I am curious as to why you would.”

Seraphina shrugged, noting how relaxed she felt. No tension coiled in her stomach. No stiffness in her limbs. She suddenly smiled at the thought of it.Relaxedwas not a sensation she felt often. Or at all, really. And to feel it was…nice.

She almost told him as such, but she stopped herself. What did it matter? After all their time together would end definitively after this conversation.

“I suppose instead of hardening myself to the ways of theton,I continue to try to change it,” she confessed, pushing her other thoughts away. “I do not believe it serves anyone to be hateful, even when at times it seems warranted.”

Hugo smiled again, and she caught a glow begin in his eyes.

“As I said earlier. Fearless.”

Seraphina blushed harder as she tried to fight her own smile. But she knew she should not be flattered so easily. She needed to learn more about him.

“Your Grace. You mentioned your reputation earlier,” she noted, her tone gentle, “I have not heard specifics. Tell me, what makes it so horrible?”

An almost sad look briefly marred the man’s face as he glanced away.

“I suppose we would have gotten to that sooner or later,” he said begrudgingly.

A gasp filled the room before he could continue, and they tore their eyes from another to look toward the sound. Seraphina’s mood shifted the moment she saw the look on her mother's face.

“Mama,” she stammered, raising her trembling hand toward Hugo as he took two large steps away from her, “This is-”

“I know who you are, Your Grace,” Mary said icily, cutting her off. “I had been warned that you had returned to London and what you might look like.”

Seraphina balked at her mother’s ill manners, but Hugo seemed unaffected by her tone, and bowed toward her.

“A pleasure to meet you, My Lady,” He replied politely, “If I may state, I am-”

“I said that I am aware of who you are,Your Grace,”Mary said harshly, “and it is far too late for Seraphina to be receiving any more calls.”

Seraphina’s face turned crimson, this time out of embarrassment for her mother’s rudeness. But the Duke did not balk in the least, and instead somehow drew taller.

“Then you are aware that I do not take kindly to discourtesy,” he replied, his tone eerily soft as he stared directly into Mary’s eyes.

Shocked at his confidence, Seraphina looked in horror from the Duke to her mother, wondering who was going to win the silent battle raging between them.

Hugo then turned to her, and bowed.

“It is growing late,” he acknowledged. “I shall call on you again, at a more appropriate time. I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself properly.”

“Th-thank you, Your Grace,” Seraphina rasped as he took her hand.

“You willnotbe visiting again,” Mary replied harshly, sitting the cup of coffee down with athunk,making it spill over the edges.

Hugo turned his gaze back to her mother, and Seraphina began to feel a sense of thrilling danger emanate through the air.