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“Me? Nothing. I just wanted to make your acquaintance. I had not realized that there was a new Earl of Pembroke. I heard that the previous one died from visiting brothels. The poor man must have overdosed on pleasure,” Richard said in a singsong voice, his eyes flashing with anger.

He heard a choking sound on his left but refused to look at Selina, keeping his gaze trained on the Earl.

“I won’t stand here and listen to you disparaging my family…”

“I have no intention of doing that, My Lord,” Richard said in a mocking tone. “I wanted us to be friends, considering you are verywellacquainted with my mother. I thought I’d share what I know about your family. What do you do for fun? Hobbies? Let me guess…” He placed a finger under his chin. “Hunting? Fencing? No, I doubt you would like those activities. You do not seem strong enough for them. It is a pity. Iwantedus to be closer. We’re practicallyfamily.”

By now, Lord Pembroke was as angry as Richard, his face contorting and red with rage. He stepped even closer so that he was a hair’s breadth away from Richard.

“If it is the girl you want,” he said in a dark whisper, “take her and stop trying to provoke me. She is not worth much to me anyway. Damn innocent.”

Bending his head close to the man’s ear, Richard whispered back, “I would thank you to stay away from her. The next time, I will not be so lenient.”

Lord Pembroke stepped away and left, and Richard dropped any pretense at levity. Fixing his angry eyes on Selina, he grabbed her forearm before dragging her back to the ballroom.

For once, she did not struggle, and he was grateful for it. He was so unstable at that moment that he was not sure how he would have reacted if she had.

CHAPTER 11

“Icertainly hope you have a good explanation for what you just did,” Selina spat out once Lord Pembroke had scampered away.

“You need to be careful with the kind of company you keep,” Richard scolded her.

The nerve of this man!

She was so irritated that Richard ruined a good conversation she was having with a decent gentleman with thinly veiled insults. She wondered how the gentleman hadn’t boxed his ears.

But she calmed herself, not wanting to make a scene that would draw attention to their conversation. Already, a few eyes were turning in their direction, and she did not need any more.

And now he is scolding me!

“Indeed, I need to, or I would not be spending so much time with you,” she hissed. “Why did you insult Lord Pembroke? You wanted me to converse with a gentleman. I finally get the opportunity to do so without stumbling over my words, and you insult him!”

“I do not think he is right for you,” Richard answered, not looking in the least bit sorry. “You can do way better than Lord Pembroke.”

He couldn’t even meet her eyes to deliver those annoying words.

What did he know about who was right for her and who wasn’t?

Lord Pembroke had been perfectly polite, showing an interest in her that was a little overwhelming but not unpleasant. She hadn’t ever known a man so willing to talk to her. Despite her stumbling through the initial parts of their conversation, he had been patient, asking all the right questions and making suggestions.

Besides, he was handsome, he was an earl, and his estate was in good condition. He was perfect by all standards.

“What do you know about who is right for me and who isn’t?” she asked with a frown.

“All the advice that you’ve taken from me so far has brought good results, has it not?” Richard asked stubbornly. “Why do you insist on doubting me now?”

Indeed, but that does not mean you can predict my taste in men.

“That is different, and I find it hard to trust your judgment when you so blatantly pursued him.”

“How so?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “Selina, you have to understand that I am committed to seeing our deal succeed, but Lord Pembroke is not someone I will ever recommend. You can do far better. I would also advise you to keep your distance from him. It is what’s best for you.”

“You do not know what’s best for me,” Selina spat, folding her arms. “Lord Pembroke looks like the only viable match I can hope to make here. He has shown interest in me. He was thoroughly pleasant and a gentleman to boot. He was also interested in my discussion on horticulture.”

“I’m pretty sure he was interested inmorethan your discussion on horticulture.”

“And what do you mean by that?”