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“I am not every other woman.”

“And that’s why you are still unmarried.”

She glared at him.

“That was a jest, and you were supposed to laugh.”

Her laugh was forced and sounded nothing like before. The look on her face was so odd that he found himself unable to contain his laughter. She frowned, which only made him laugh harder.

“What exactly is so funny about this situation?” she asked, looking offended.

“You had such a strange expression on your face.” He laughed again, unable to help himself. “I hadn’t expected to see it.”

“I am glad you find my discomfort amusing,” she stated with a frown and folded her arms.

“I apologize for laughing.”

“Your words and your expression contradict each other,” she pointed out.

“I truly do mean what I say. It is just hard to quell my mirth when you are so upset.” He laughed again. “You should learn to laugh, Lady Selina,” he said with a smile. “People are not always kind, but you need to learn to take their insults in your stride and return them politely with a pretty smile.”

“I do laugh, but not at people.” She pouted. “And I do know how to take insults in my stride.”

“Do you think I’m laughing at you?” he asked, turning to her.

“Aren’t you?” she asked back. “I find it impossible to tell whether you’re not, since we’re the only ones here.”

“You have an odd sense of humor.”

“And you can be infuriating.”

He couldn’t help the smile that threatened to split his face. He hadn’t smiled as she had made him do with anyone for so long, and the thought made him smile even more.

Even though Selina was lacking in many ways, she had enough charms to win any man’s heart if he was patient enough to see them.

The thought of another man with her made him angry, his blood simmering, but he buried the feeling deep down in the pit where it belonged.

Selina watched him laugh, unable to look away. This wasn’t the first time she had seen him smile, but seeing it again made her heart flutter. He laughed with everything in him, not caring to maintain any poise, and she was thrilled that she had been the cause.

She liked the look he usually wore when he was holding court with his admirers. That bored look that made them scamper away as their pride was wounded. She also liked seeing that expression soften when he approached her.

She liked every one of his expressions, but there was one in particular that she much preferred—that proud look on his face when she did something he had encouraged her to do. That look made her chest swell with pride and made her want to please him more just to see it again.

“I like that look on your face,” she muttered, then clapped a hand over her mouth.

He turned to her, his eyes dark, but he smiled nonetheless.

“What look?” he asked, placing a finger under her chin to bring her eyes up to his. “I taught you to look a man in the eyes when you speak to him.”

“I thought it was only for men in whom I have interest?” she asked with a smirk, even though his nearness left her breathless.

He was so close to her now that she was sure she would die if he walked away without kissing her.

He smirked and stepped even closer. So close that she could feel his breath on her lips.

“You really do learn quickly,” he said, before capturing her lips in a kiss that she felt all the way down to her toes.

She really did like that proud look on him.