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Hugo let out a low, single chuckle as his fingertips traveled downward. Seraphina sighed softly at the gentle touch, and stood frozen as they grazed down to her throat.

“Stop that,” she whispered.

“Your heart is beating so fast, little lamb,” he rasped, “But I can tell it is not out of fear. Do you know how rare that is?”

Seraphina shook her head, unable to look away.

“I am not afraid of you either,” he went on, his fingers lacing softly over the column of her neck.

“I am…I am not even a true lady, Your Grace,” Seraphina whispered.

“No,” he mused. His fingers tightened around her throat, but only for a moment, and then he let her go. He opened the door, turning back to her just as he was about to step outside.

“Something tells me you are something much,muchmore valuable than that.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“You tell meexactlywhat happened at that dinner party, and you tell me this instant,” Mary demanded as soon as Seraphina walked back into the sitting room.

Seraphina grimaced, but knowing she had no choice now, told her mother the truth. Still, she didn’t want to give away too much. Her mother was angry enough as it is.

“I danced with him at Tristan’s party,” she confessed, “Before I knew of his reputation.”

“I raised you to be a smart girl but you can be rather stupid at times,” Mary stated when she finished.

“It was poorly coordinated, I admit,” Seraphina agreed, blushing wildly.

“You should always know who you are giving your time to, girl,” Mary seethed in frustration, “I taught you better than that.”

“I know, Mama,” Seraphina replied apologetically. “But look at the outcome. I have suitors now! And if I may say so, I do not know why people think so ill of him. He was kind to me. Far kinder than any other man of thetonhas been.”

“Oh, you simple girl,” Mary chuckled cruelly, “Of course he was! You are probably the first woman brave or thick-headed enough to talk to him! Of course he is going play nice with you.”

Play? No. Hugo’s manners seemed quite genuine to her. Gathering up her courage, she shook her head in disagreement.

“No, Mama, you do not understand,” she replied. “He can be kind when he is not being attacked, which is what you had done.”

Mary sneered, as if rearing up for another assault, but then her shoulders drooped, her head dropped, and she sighed heavily.

“No, child. Come. Sit. You need to know whathehas done.”

Part of Seraphina wanted to disagree, but there were two things holding her back. One, she could not run away from her mother. Two, her curiosity of Hugo’s alleged reputation was screaming to be satisfied.

As she sat, Seraphina’s nostrils burned as she caught the odor of spirits on her mother's breath. Suddenly her mother’s behaviormade sense. She was always overbearing, but after a visit with the Duke of Caldermere, it was always worse. Their affair, she assumed, had recommenced.

“The man you seem so intent on protecting, my child, is a monster,” Mary began. “His father was a monster too, you know, according to most, and the present Duke was raised to be just like him. His temper is worse than his father’s though. You see, a few years ago he nearly killed a man, and there is even talk that he kills women in his sleep.”

Seraphina’s body went rigid at the news.

“Do you know the specifics?” She ventured. Surely there was a rational explanation. But Mary shook her head.

“Only that his temper is monstrous,” Mary replied, “And when he reaches a certain point, he destroys whoever is before him. Man or woman.”

“I know you are tenderhearted, Seraphina,” her mother went on, “But your kindness does not need to extend to devils. You will stay away from him. Block him entirely from your mind. You have choices now. Many, in fact, and we will find you a husband with a stellar reputation. One that is so pristine, it can wipe away the darkness of our own,” Mary insisted.

It all seemed so unfair, but knowing her mother’s word was law, she nodded.

“Yes, Mama,” she whispered obediently.