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“How very romantic,” Ophelia mused, looking from Seraphina to Hugo with a side smile.

The urge to apologize to her came over him with great strength, and he offered her his hand. Calmness enveloped him as he took it, and she stepped to his side.

“It was lovely to meet you all,” he said, bowing once more to her friends. “Now if you would not mind, I would very much like to dance with my wife.”

“I am sorry if my friends were inappropriate,” Seraphina stated as Hugo led her to the dance floor.

I’m sorry for pushing you too far the other day,she thought.

“You have nothing to apologize for. Your friends are bold and loyal, and I am certainly not offended by that.” he assured her, twirling her into the dance.

“Perhaps it is I that owes you an apology,” he stated in lower tone, his expression shifting into one of remorse. “For the other day.”

Relief coursed through Seraphina, and she quickly shook her head.

“Please, I just want to put it behind us,” she urged, following his leading in the dance. “I would match rather focus on better things.”

“Very well,” Hugo agreed. “Are you enjoying your return to London?”

“I am happy to see my friends again,” Seraphina replied truthfully, “But if I am honest, I am looking forward to returning to Merrivale with you tomorrow.”

Hugo’s brows perked in surprise.

“You truly like your life there?”

“Very much,” she replied emphatically, then blushed.

“What is it?” Hugo asked, pulling her closer.

“It is—unseemly,” she whispered, though her smile grew.

A sound of approval rumbled in his chest as she felt her skin become alive with tingles beneath his touch.

“All the more reason to tell me,” he whispered wickedly, a devilishly handsome smile appearing on his face.

“Perhaps what I enjoy most is the lessons you impart to me,” she whispered back, her cheeks growing hotter. “Particularly the ones when we are alone.”

Satisfaction sparked in Hugo’s eyes, and he reached up to cup her enflamed cheek as the song ended.

“We can certainly arrange that,” he told her.

The deep timber of his voice was laced with seduction, and it sent a shot of arousal deep through her veins.

“Fenwick!” Someone shouted then, interrupting their moment.

Seraphina’s eyes dipped to the floor as Hugo let out an unhappy groan, letting his hand slip from her face.

“Duty calls,” he sighed, already sounding bored with whatever conversation he was about to be pulled into.

“Have another dance with me when I come back? Then perhaps we could depart for the evening and see to those lessons.”

Seraphina nodded readily, already trembling in anticipation.

“Hurry back,” she whispered as Hugo placed a kiss on her knuckles. He gave her a nod, then headed toward the group of men calling him over.

“Poor girl.”

“Look at her. Moon-eyed over that monster.”