Page 12 of A Duke for Hire (The Devil’s Masquerade #1)

CHAPTER TWELVE

“ T hat was the last time, Seraphina.”

Seraphina looked up as she was getting dressed, a mixture of surprise and pain taking over the brief euphoria had filled her body. She tried to catch Hugo’s gaze, but he refused.

“I…why?” She ventured, feeling selfish for even asking. “I thought we just discussed how I felt about you?”

Hugo let out a cruel laugh, one that chilled her as he kept his eyes on his hands that he rubbed together.

“You made it clear how you felt, but not what you want,” he replied.

Finally he looked at her, and his gaze was just as cold as his laugh had been.

“Tell me, have you even entertained the idea of accepting my proposal?” He asked. “If Repington had not come forward? Would you be insisting to your parents that I am the one you want?”

Seraphina pressed her lips together, unsure how to answer. She had brought him up as an option twice, but had she insisted? Or had just let them tell her no? She wanted him, yes, she could not deny that. But had she truly, seriously, ever considered him an option?

“I cannot deny that I enjoy giving you what you want,” he went on, his eyes flicking over her in a way that made her body heat all over again, “But this game we’ve begun to play is growing tedious, and I am not a man to allow such a thing.”

“And what kind of a man are you, Hugo?” She asked, feeling her own temper rise.

He snatched her waist and dragged her to him so quickly that she gasped; his fury sparking arousal within her once more in an instant.

“A man who does not give up what is his,” he growled.

She pushed at him, but he did not let her go.

“I am not yours!” She seethed back.

“Tell that to your body,” Hugo seethed, and then ran a hand down her side, his fingers cupping and gripping her left breast.

Immediately she felt her nipples harden and her womb clench. Before she could demand he stop, he let her go; instantly leaving her cold.

“Hugo, wait,” she insisted, following him. “You know that my situation is not that simple!”

He stopped at the door, and put his hand up to still her reach for him.

“You should truly take a moment and think about what it is you want, Seraphina,” he advised, “Before it is too late.”

“Seraphina, thank God, where have you been?” Theo whispered, flying to her side.

Seraphina blushed, but was thankful that her friends had found her before her mother or Martin had.

“I had a headache all of a sudden,” she lied, allowing Theo to pull her close. “I could not remember which room was mine and Mother’s, so I just found a quiet one and took some time.”

“Thank heavens,” Rose said, looking relieved, “We had feared the Earl had pulled you into an unsavory situation.”

No, not Martin, Seraphina thought, her mind flashing back to Hugo. His words hung heavily in her heart, and she was torn as to what to do.

“I promise I am fine,” she assured them, “Lord Repington was called away to the cigar room. Apparently he is an illustrious hunter.”

“It would seem so,” Theo muttered unhappily, “The way he is going after you.”

Seraphina’s stomach knotted as she thought of the way he had touched her. She certainly did feel like helpless prey when she was around him; constantly looking for ways to escape.

“Let us talk of something else, please,” she urged, glancing around at the lawn. “It is a beautiful day and I do not wish to darken it with such talk.”

“Agreed,” Rose said readily, looping her arm through Seraphina’s. “The hostess is putting on a treasure hunt in the gardens, I believe. Let us go and see if there is still time to join.”

Relieved for the distraction, Seraphina followed her friends toward the lush gardens away from the house, and arrived just in time to hear the hostess going over the rules of the game. As the hostess spoke, Seraphina took a moment to look around at the others that had gathered. It seemed that most of the invited had come out to participate in the game.

She saw her mother, chatting with some other mothers who wore tight, forced smiles in front of the unmarried woman. Seraphina sighed, wishing her mother would accept that those women would never see her as one of their own. Looking away, she then spotted Martin, who looked quite content while still talking of his hunting accomplishments. She doubted either would be playing the game, since they were not paying attention to the hostess. But Hugo stood nearby, lurking at the outer edge of the gathered circle, standing beside Tristan and two other men.

Tristan and the two others were chatting boisterously with one another, but Hugo stood silent, his eyes set on hers. The words from the hostess began to blur in fade in Seraphina’s ears as she stared back at him. What was she going to do?

Her upcoming marriage was never going to be about love. She had given up on such a match long ago. But Hugo had been right. She did have a choice. To marry into societal comfort. Or marry into a personal one.

Her reputation would be saved by Martin. But Hugo…. Hugo might save her body and spirit.

What it would be like to be married to him? To not have to watch her words or feel as if she were performing all the time? Would they make each other laugh? Make each other happy, despite ostracized together? Or would she pine for what she missed in not marrying Martin? For acceptance into the ton and a life free of harsh whispers?

Did she truly care about fitting in? Or was it her mother’s worry, simply thrust onto her?

“Seraphina, come, the hostess just declared the start of the game!” Rose said beside her. “We are looking for the first clue.”

Seraphina blinked, and forced her gaze away from Hugo.

“What?”

Rose’s brow drew down in concern.

“The first clue,” Rose explained, “It has been given to us. In the bush you will find, a glittery bauble that is one of a kind. It is not rose or lilac or thyme, but one whose branches produce a fruit most sublime. Come! I believe she means the pear trees!”

Seraphina felt her friend tug at her, but she shook her head.

“I changed my mind, I do not want to play,” she replied. “You two go on. I believe I saw Ophelia and Amelia heading toward the orchard. They will help you.”

“Go on,” Rose encouraged Theo lightly, “We shall catch up to you later.”

“Are you sure?” Theo asked, putting a comforting hand on Seraphina’s shoulder.

“Go win the prize,” Seraphina encouraged, giving her a weak smile.

Theo nodded, and Seraphina let Rose lead her to a bench, far away from the others.

“You keep much inside you,” Rose said softly. “I can tell you are not sharing everything. Please tell me. Perhaps I can help lift this burden.”

Seraphina sighed, and took a moment to take in the beautiful flowers surrounding them. She wondered then what sort of flowers, if any, grew at Martin’s estate. He did not seem to be the type of man to entertain something as frivolous as flowers.

“I am torn,” she confessed finally. “Between allowing this marriage to the Earl to happen, or fighting for one with Hug- I mean, the Duke.”

She flushed as she realized she’d almost said his given name. She glanced at Rose, hoping her friend had not caught her slip.

“You speak his given name so freely,” Rose remarked, without excitement or judgment. “Has something… “blossomed” between you two?”

“You could say that,” she confessed. “When I am around him I feel…”

She blushed, thinking of the overwhelming fire Hugo ignited within her, even before he had “relaxed” her. It had started well before that, when he’d first proposed that they marry. He had caused a flame to erupt within her the moment he’d first reached for her cheek the first day he’d called on her.

“Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes, I believe,” Rose ventured when Seraphina did not continue. “I know there would be a sort that came with marrying Lord Repington. But would it be a comfort for you? Or for your mother?”

“Yes,” Seraphina sighed, “I have been contemplating that. “She constantly tells me I must marry well to save my reputation, but I think it is more to save her own.”

“You want to know what I think?” Rose asked.

Seraphina turned to her and nodded.

“Please,” she encouraged.

“I think that even if you do marry Lord Repington, nothing will save your mother from the ton’s gossip. She had an affair with a married man, and no matter how well you marry, it will not cover her own sins. I think you should do what makes you the happiest. In the end, we can only be responsible for ourselves, no matter how hard others try to insist otherwise.”

Seraphina leaned forward and embraced Rose tightly.

“You are a true friend,” she said emphatically. “I am so grateful to have you.”

“And I you,” Rose answered warmly, hugging her back.

When they let each other go, Rose stood up, and gave Seraphina a supportive smile.

“Take some time. Consider yourself,” she encouraged.

Seraphina nodded, and watched in quiet contemplation as Rose wondered off toward their other friends. Time blurred as she sat alone on the bench, and as the sun slowly sank toward the west, she let her thoughts play out on her own. One in particular kept replaying constantly and it was one she did not have an answer to: did she truly have a choice?

She wanted Hugo. There was no denying it. Even when she was angry at him there was a joy she felt during their banter. And as for his touch, well…she had never experienced such pleasure. Yet there was a mystery surrounding him; a dark past that she still did not know the truth of. If she asked, would he tell her? Or would he give excuses like he did to everyone else that confronted him? What had truly happened to him to spark such ill rumors?

As the sun set, she finally got up from the bench and made her way back toward the party, still unsure as to what to do. A grim feeling overtook her as she drew closer to the house, and spotted not just her mother, but her father as well walking toward her.

“Papa,” she greeted, her tone stiff.

Though she felt no kinship toward the man whatsoever, she moved toward him as he offered his cheek, and placed a quick kiss upon it.

“Your mother and I have concluded our discussion with Lord Repington,” he replied, looking pleased. “Considering that everyone of any importance is attending, it would seem that this gathering would be the perfect place to officially announce your engagement.”

Seraphina felt her body grow taut with tension, going as rigid as stone.

“So it is official, then?” She forced out; a sense of dread rising through her.

“Indeed it is,” her father replied. “Congratulations, daughter. You will be the Countess of Repington by the end of the summer.”

Acid bloomed in Seraphina’s stomach and crept up into her throat, making her insides shrink and spasm.

“Do not look so displeased,” her mother chastised. “Your father has gone to great lengths to appease the Earl. You should be thankful!”

A sneer touched her father’s lips and she quickly curtseyed toward him, knowing it was a sin to go against any of his wishes.

“Of course, Papa, I am thankful,” she said quickly. “For everything you have done for me. I am simply surprised that it is finally happening.”

“Well it was no small feat,” he admonished, straightening his cravat. “There was much appeasement to be given, but yes, dear girl, we have finally found you a husband.”

“Do I hear talk of myself?” Martin asked, approaching.

“Ah, and there he is,” Mary sang, smiling wide at him as he joined them. “Yes, My Lord, we were just sharing the good news with your future bride.”

“Good news, indeed,” Martin replied.

He then reached for Seraphina’s waist, and tugged her rather roughly to his side.

“I am quite content with the deal we have reached, Your Grace,” he went on, not bothering to speak to Seraphina. “It is most gracious.”

“I would hope you feel so,” The Duke of Caldermere chuckled, “You are gaining much more than a wife.”

“Indeed,” Martin replied, smiling as his fingers tightened painfully around Seraphina.

“Now, as for the announcement, I was thinking shortly after we have all gathered for breakfast…”

Seraphina drew further inside herself as her parents and future husband talked. None of them seemed to notice that she was not participating in the conversation, and she realized, with growing dread, that this was going to be her entire future. They would plan everything for her. Her wedding. Her children. Possibly even her time of death. No control. No freedom whatsoever.

Her life. Her chance at a choice. It was all gone now.

Hugo was staring into the fire as he heard the knock on his door. It was growing late, near midnight, but the other guests were still partying rather noisily downstairs. For a moment he thought to ignore the knocking, thinking it could possibly be Tristan or Everett, coming to encourage him back. But then he thought of Seraphina. Could it possibly be her?

He was still mad at her; still unsure if she was using him as a crutch to get away from her life or if she was actually considering his proposal. When the knocking continued, growing more insistent by the second, he pushed himself away from the fireplace, and went to answer it.

“What took you so long?” Seraphina whispered, her tone full of sharp and ragged-edged as she pushed past him into his room.

His agitation grew, and he chose not to answer her as he pushed the door closed. He knew was playing a dangerous game with her; that his chances at winning her were growing smaller by the minute. Tension roiled through his body, making his shoulders feel stiff and his abdomen coil like a metal spring. Still, he could not deny the pleasure that rose within him upon seeing that it was her. Even if it was going to be the last time.

“Are you not going to say something?” Seraphina insisted after another long moment of silence.

“It depends on why you are here,” he replied, frowning as he took a step toward her.

“Are you here to beg release on my tongue again or are you here to accept my proposal?”

Seraphina blushed wildly at his words, and damn him if he did not enjoy it.

“I…”

“Do not offer me lies or I will grow angry,” he warned before she could say anything else. He could tell by the expression on her face that she was reaching for a falsehood.

“Tell me the truth,” he demanded.

The moment he said so, Seraphina’s shoulders slumped and sadness etched her face. Immediately he regretted his jagged tone, and wished he didn’t feel so torn. No woman had ever made him feel like this; like he had no control.

“You are right,” Seraphina sighed, gathering herself, “I was going to offer you an excuse, but you deserve more than that. But I am not here for your… ‘relaxation’ either. I have received some news this evening, and I… I have come to say goodbye.”

As quickly as his anger had dampened, it renewed.

“Goodbye?” He bit out, taking a step toward her.

Seraphina nodded, and he saw her eyes grow glassy.

“My parents and Lord Repington plan on announcing our engagement tomorrow morning after breakfast. I am to be wed to the Earl by the end of the summer.”

It was clear that she was trying to state the news with detachment, but he heard the way her voice hitched with pain; saw the devastation through the cracks of her mask, and his anger twisted into rage.

“Seraphina, you cannot give up,” he insisted, gripping her by the shoulders, “You do not want this, I can see it on your face!”

“It clearly does not matter what I want!” She shot back, her voice reaching a loud shrill as she stepped closer to him. “Can you not see that? It was never my choice! I am simply being used as a bandage to cover my parents’ mistake. To cover myself!”

“You do not have to pay for their sins, Seraphina,” Hugo insisted, “You can say no! I cannot offer you love, I know, but I can give you greater comfort than Martin can.”

He then captured her chin and forced her eyes up to his.

“And don’t you dare ever say you are a mistake again, or I swear even if you are married to someone else, I will spank you until you wear my handprint as a brand for eternity,” he warned. “You are not a mistake and you are you own person, Seraphina,” he went on, “Fight this! For no one other than yourself!”

Hugo’s lust and anger culminated into a sweeping force as he felt Seraphina tremble in his arms, and before he could make himself stop, he drew her into a passionate kiss. Pleasure and relief tunneled through him as he felt her immediately grow limp in his arms; felt her arms circle tightly around his neck.

Tears sprang from Seraphina’s eyes as she became lost in Hugo’s demanding kiss. She felt shame. Shame for letting him think he was being used. Shame for going back to his room, even though she shouldn’t. But more than that she felt the relief his touch brought her as she swam through her sea of misery. She knew she shouldn’t have come, it was selfish. But she could not let him find out about her engagement with the others. He deserved more than that.

As their kiss deepened, so did her relief. Relief that he was angry and not nonchalant. Relief that he wanted her to fight. And when he threatened to spank her, she felt a fire consume her entire body, burning her from the inside out. She had not expected that she would get to kiss him ever again, but now that she was in his grasp, she was determined to not let it stop.

Desperately, she pulled her arms around his neck tighter and licked at his lips until he allowed her entrance. Instead of feeling his own dance within her mouth, this time it was she that tasted him; making a blueprint with her tongue to memorize the way he tasted and felt.

“Oh my goodness.” An unfamiliar voice filled the room, sending a chill throughout Seraphina’s body as she and Hugo both froze.

“I am so sorry, I-”

“Oh, ho! What is this!” Another voice chimed in, this one masculine and deeply slurred.

With equal surprise, Seraphina and Hugo tore away from one another, and utter horror filled her as she saw not just a maid, but three party guests staring at them with wide shocked eyes.

“Looks like she takes after her mother after all,” someone remarked as more people arrived at the door.

“Not quite so,” another answered, “This Duke is unmarried at least.”

“Oh no,” Seraphina breathed, a strange numbness overtaking her as her body grew rigid.

Hugo, however, did not show such shock, but instead stormed to the maid and demanded to know what the hell she was thinking.

“I am sorry, Your Grace,” the maid stammered, her entire face turning as red as a cherry, “I thought everyone was still out here. I was coming in to turn down the bed!”

“Do you have any idea what you have just done?” He seethed, “What you have caused for this poor lady?”

“Careful,” one of the men insisted, sounding terrified, “Don’t make him angry.”

Seraphina stood still, too shocked to move as more people gathered and argued with Hugo. It was not until she saw her mother’s face appear in the fray that she finally snapped back to life.

“Mama,” she breathed, seeing the pure fury written across her face as she pushed her way into the room.

“What have you done?” Mary seethed, snatching Seraphina’s wrist to the point of pain.

“Mama, please, let me explain, I-”

“You will not say another word,” Mary warned, starting to pull her through the growing crowd. “Not until we are outside and away from this.”

“Out of our way!” Mary bellowed as she dragged Seraphina down the stairs.

“Quite the mothering instinct you have, Ms. Kinderson,” someone shot back.

“Seems the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

“Tree?” Someone scoffed. “More like a poisonous plant. What has become of our noble society?”

It had only been minutes ago that she and Hugo had been caught, but word of what had been witnessed was already spreading like wildfire through the entirety of the party; somehow moving faster than Seraphina’s and her mother’s own feet. By the time they reached the first floor, everyone was gossiping as heads swiveled to catch view of the two fleeing women.

By the time they reached the terrace outside, Seraphina’s shock had begun to wear off, and it was quickly replaced with fear.

“Mama, please,” she begged, “I did not mean to-”

Seraphina’s words were cut off by a resounding slap across her face. Pain scattered over her cheek as her mother struck her with great force, and a ringing began in her ears. She staggered at the assault, her hand quickly going to burning flesh.

“Not another word, not another movement,” Mary threatened, her face contorted with rage.

“Here? With your intended downstairs? With your father in attendance? With him”

“Do you have any idea what you have just done?” Mary shrieked, her face turning red. “No one will want you now! No one!”

Although her cheek still flared with pain, Seraphina let her hand fall to her side as she felt her own anger start to surface.

“Hugo wants me, Mama,” she argued, “And I want him too. I may have not at first, but we understand each other. I prefer his company over the Earl of Repington’s.”

Mary laughed cruelly as she shook her head.

“You love-addled fool,” she sneered.

“No Mama, that was you! You were the one who went after a married man above your station; throwing not just your fate but mine to the mercy of these gossiping monsters!”

“I will slap you within an inch of your life if you speak to me like that again!” Mary threatened, drawing her arm back as if to start there and then. “Don’t you see what a poor bet you have made with this man? You truly think he will be enough? You think the others will accept you into high society with him as your husband? You think he will truly take care of you? Take care of us?”

“You mean you, Mama,” Seraphina retorted, tired of pretending otherwise. “This has always been about you! Will the ton accept you? Will my future husband take care of you? Papa’s wife has been gone over two years now and he still hasn’t married you, so now you are looking for a husband for me that will not just take care of me, but you! Well I am tired of it! It is time you live with your mistakes and allow me to have a life of my own!”

Mary reared her hand back again, but before she could deliver another blow, Hugo’s hand snapped around her wrist and held it back. Mary and Seraphina both looked at him in shock, not realizing that he had joined them.

“I suggest you not lay another hand on my future wife,” he snarled, his voice threateningly low and deep.

Seraphina’s eyes widened as she looked at Hugo. She had seen him frustrated, but not like this. His eyes were narrowed toward her mother with menacing rage, his teeth bared and gritted as if he were an animal ready to clench his jaws around her and rip her to shreds.

Mary looked taken aback for a moment, then smiled wickedly as she stepped toward him, her hand still caught in his grip.

“Or what, you beast? You’ll shoot me? You’ll tear me apart like your other victims?” she hissed. “Go ahead. Maybe my daughter will finally understand what everyone has been trying to tell her.”

“Mama, stop!” Seraphina snapped.

Hugo gave Mary a disgusted look, but he thrust her hand back down, and stepped to Seraphina’s side.

“You have no idea who I truly am, Ms. Kinderson,” he replied roughly. “But I will say for your sake that you are lucky the rumors are not true. Seraphina is right, though. She and I understand one another, and I am certainly not going to leave her to these wolves. This is not how I hoped our courtship would go, but she and I will be married now.”

Seraphina felt strangely warm. As if a soft blanket of protection had wrapped around her shoulders. Hugo moved from behind Mary to stand in front of Seraphina, blocking her view, his eyes suddenly gentle as he examined her face. She had spoken with hope before, but now knowing that he truly would marry her was a great comfort, despite the embarrassment they were now consumed with.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, acting as if Mary was no longer there.

Slowly, as if not to alarm her, he reached up to brush a thumb over her swollen, red cheek. She winced slightly, but shook her head.

“Not very,” she promised.

“I am sorry I did not get here in time to prevent the first blow,” he apologized, then his gaze hardened as he turned his gaze back to Mary.

“But there will certainly not be another. You will leave us, Mrs. Kinderson,” he demanded. “I need a moment alone with Seraphina, and I suspect you have some packing to do. I am sure none of us are still welcome to spend the weekend here.”

Seraphina watched her mother’s rage transform into meekness, and after giving her daughter one more look of disgusted disappointment, she left the terrace.

“Come,” Hugo insisted, pulling Seraphina toward the garden, “I want a moment to speak where we are entirely alone.”

“Hugo, I am sorry,” she apologized, allowing him to lead her away, “I did not mean for this to happen when I came to your room.”

“This is not your fault. It was I that kissed you, and a maid’s ill timing that caught us up in this scandal,” he replied.

“But it was I that snuck to your room,” she replied, knowing at least some of the blame laid with her.

“Yes,” he agreed, stopping them in a small grove of trees, “You came to say goodbye. And I need to know, even now, if you still want to do so.”

Seraphina looked at him in surprise. Was he actually giving her a choice?”

“But you just said to my mother-”

“I know,” he answered quickly, “But I would never truly try to force you into anything.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, a charming smile twitched at his lips.

“Coax you, yes. Seduce you, of course,” he purred. “But never force you.”

Even now, even after her shock and anger, Seraphina felt her body come alive with arousal at his words and voice.

“I know what that is like, and I could not bear to do that to you,” Hugo went on, his smile fading, “So I ask you now- do you still want to say goodbye? I can bear another rumor. They truly mean nothing to me. But what I will not tolerate is a wife that does not want to be mine.”

His seductive tone had transformed into disgust; creating a tension that would no doubt send other women running. And yet, as Seraphina stood beside him, she felt nothing but comfort emanating from his presence. It made her feel brave, and so she decided to answer with her truth.

“I need to be honest, Hugo. I am not as fearless as you may think me. Your temper at times overtakes you, transforms into something else and I do not like it.”

“So that is a no then,” he growled.

“I say this all to reach this answer,” she continued, raising a finger toward him, “That despite that, I meant what I said to my mother. I believe we understand one another. Not completely. But perhaps in time we could remedy that.”

“Since we are being honest,” he replied, “If you expect this marriage to be a romance you will be sorely disappointed.”

“I want friendship,” she acknowledged, “But I do not need such romance. I need understanding. Peace. If we are getting to the specifics of this arrangement, then that is mine. Do not keep me from my friends. Do not keep me from that which makes me happy.”

She gave him a stern look. He was right. If he was not going to be pushed into marriage for a scandal then neither was she.

“If you can agree to that, then yes, I shall marry you.”

“I came to London only to conduct business and find a wife,” he warned her. “With both potentially coming to a conclusion I will not tarry here longer. That being said, you may invite whomever you wish to Merrivale. But can you do that, Seraphina? Can you leave London behind?”

Despite the seriousness of the conversation Seraphina let out a dry laugh.

“I suspect I am just done with this wretched city as you are,” she replied, and as she said this, Hugo took a breath of relief, and nearly smiled.

“Speak your answer now then,” he urged, though his tone was calm.

Seraphina pulled in a breath from her nostrils and straightened her shoulders.

“Hugo Fenwick, Duke of Merrivale. I accept your proposal, and agree to be your wife.”

Seraphina was not sure what she was expecting, but his sudden, emphatic kiss was not it. Their conversation had been rather cold, practical, and it took her by surprise that it was ending with such warmth.

“Very well then,” he replied, pulling back, leaving her dazed.

“I’ll arrange for us to obtain a special license, you get yourself a dress, and we shall be married by the end of next week.”