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“I said calm yourselves!”

The four sisters laughed to see their mother flustered, and for a moment, it was just like old times. Only then, Diana gasped and pulled away, her eyes going wide in fear.

The twins were next, their faces dropping as they scrambled back and bowed their heads.

It took Selina a moment to understand what caused their reaction. But soon enough, the shadow that appeared over her shoulder explained perfectly why her three sisters had suddenly become so docile. Diana, especially, trembled where she stood!

Selina rolled her eyes at the theatrics, for she no longer saw her husband as others did. Yes, he was a little harsh to look at. And yes, he was big and scary and mean if one did not know him well. But she did know him, and she knew that beneath the callous and cold exterior, there was a kind, gentle soul… one who she took a little too much pleasure in provoking.

“Mother, you remember my husband, the Duke of Northwick?”

Lady Langham smiled coyly as she stepped toward Benedict and extended her hand. “Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Lady Langham,” Benedict greeted sternly. “You look… well.”

There was a sourness in his gaze, and Selina had no doubt that he still had not forgiven her mother for tricking him into this marriage.

Selina cleared her throat and gently nudged him. Next, she widened her eyes at him in warning, and he forced a smile, as they had spoken about this, and the need to behave superseded his desire for petty retribution.

“And did I mention stunning also?” Benedict took her mother’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“I hope you have been treating my daughter well.”

He flashed a knowing smile, and he glanced quickly at Selina, who blushed furiously and looked away. “Very well. As she has been treating me.”

He released Lady Langham’s hand and then stepped to Selina, wrapping an arm around her waist and even giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Selina straightened up and smiled, ignoring the strange looks her sisters were giving them. But that was nothing compared to the curious expression on her mother’s face. Not disbelieving, but simply skeptical.

“Mother, shall we…” Selina gestured toward the manor. “You must be tired from the journey.”

“Quite,” Lady Langham agreed. “Girls.” She clapped her hands together. “Let us proceed…”

She started ahead, and the three sisters fell in behind her. With their backs turned, Selina fully expected Benedict to let her go, but his grip on her waist seemed to tighten.

“Well, that went well,” he murmured.

“Yes,” Selina agreed as she eyed the hand still wrapped around her waist, one which felt a little too comfortable. “Yes, it did.”

“I must say, Your Grace, I am only too pleased to see what has become of this marriage,” Lady Langham admitted as she took a sip of her wine and then smacked her lips. “I would never have guessed it would blossom the way it has.”

Benedict eyed her with that same sense of annoyance. Oh, how he wanted to savage her just a little. To tell her he knew what she had done and that she would come to regret it—that he was not a chess piece to be played with! But, under the current circumstances, he did no such thing.

“Oh, there is nothing to be surprised by, I assure you.” Benedict chuckled in a most friendly manner. “Your daughter is a pleasure.”

“She has her moments…” Lady Langham eyed her eldest daughter. “It seems that a strong hand is what was needed to tame her. And you clearly have very strong hands.”

“Mother…” Selina groaned.

“I am simply stating a fact!” Lady Langham cried innocently. “I know you as well as I know myself, dear, and while it might be a tad unkind to say, you were not an easy child.”

“Mother,” Selina groaned again. “That is not?—”

“Surprising,” Benedict spoke up. “I mean, that is very surprising. From my experience, your daughter has been nothing but a pleasure for which I find myself more grateful every morning that I am lucky enough to wake up by her side.” He took his wife’s hand and gave it a squeeze, not surprised to find that she was shaking with anger.

“Is that so?” Lady Langham drawled.

“I will admit that when we first got married, I was a tad unsure. But that seems so long ago now that I find it hard to believe I ever doubted her. Or myself, for that matter.”