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Her body felt loose and languid, and all she wanted to do was get rid of her clothes and curl up in bed. Exhaustion wrecked her, but she also felt… blissful.

Was this what the books had described as being satiated?

Now that he had helped her see why she felt all those strange things around him, she could finally recognize the erraticbeating of her heart and the sudden dryness of her mouth as desire.

He took his time kissing down her thigh and back up before emerging from beneath her skirts with that same proud look on his face. She couldn’t help but return his smile, even though it came weakly through tired eyes.

He rose to his feet, holding her while she regained her balance. His eyes were bright even though his expression looked haunted. She wondered what he was thinking, but she didn’t want to pry.

“I think I might need to…”

Before she could finish, she heard voices approaching from the distance and quickly attempted to fix her dress and her hair.

“Do I look composed?” she asked, looking up at him.

He had gone silent and was not looking at her. She frowned, wondering why, but could not press the matter further, as they had to resume their ‘casual’ walk around the garden. They spotted some gentlemen in the distance and strolled at a leisurely pace.

“Good day, Your Grace,” one of the men greeted. “Lady Selina.”

“Good day, Lord Frederick,” Richard responded.

“Good day,” Selina greeted with a smile. “It is a lovely day, isn’t it?”

“Indeed.” Lord Frederick smiled. “I see you are enjoying it as well.”

“Indeed,” the Duke answered.

“Might I interest you in some cigars later, Your Grace?” the other man, Lord Grainsbury, asked. “I have a new brand from Italy.”

“Alright. I shall join you after dinner.”

Lord Grainsbury preened and squared his shoulders, pleased that he had secured an appointment with the Duke.

Selina wondered if it was always like this with him—men vying for his attention. She watched him smile politely at them and couldn’t help but smile at how dignified he looked, unlike how he usually was with her.

She wondered if they knew that the ‘proper’ Duke liked to accost women in gardens or ‘help’ the said women find husbands.

She laughed to herself, drawing their attention.

“I am sorry, gentlemen,” she offered. “I just remembered something that amused me.”

“Do share it with us, My Lady,” Lord Grainsbury urged.

“Oh, it’s not something you should bother yourself with.” She smiled. “I should return to the house now. My aunt must be worried by my prolonged absence.”

“It will be a shame to have you go, Lady Selina,” Lord Frederick said, not looking in the least bit bothered.

She was sure his only concern was his conversation with the Duke, and if she chose to leave, he would be inclined to escort her.

“We can continue our discussion at dinner, Lord Frederick.” She smiled. “I find your conversation about your new gun riveting.”

The men coughed and stood straighter, feeling chided. They had excluded her from the conversation quite rudely, and now they at least had the decency to feel guilty for their mistake.

“I shall escort the lady to the house,” the Duke said to the men. “I did beg her company, and as such, I must see her safely returned.”

“We shall resume our conversation after dinner then,” Lord Grainsbury said.

The men bowed before they left.