Page 11

Chapter Eight

T hat was decidedly not where Hugh believed the evening was going to go. And with the knowledge he had now, the Duke was unlikely to be returning to his bed to slumber peacefully.

Selina is a virgin.

The thought filled Hugh with conflicting emotions and notions about the future. Shock still reverberated through his veins as he processed the truth, and a steadily growing flame of intrigue and fury gnawed at him, licking at his bones.

He was terribly distressed that he could have done something he would have sorely regretted. That would have been too far for even him.

Hugh knew that indulging in what pleased him at any given moment was often what landed him in trouble—if exceedingly entertaining trouble—but he was not one to sully a virgin. He had standards as much as rumors about him might profess the contrary.

He could not continue to bait Selina into a response with this new information. He was not that cruel. And furthermore, it revealed even more that he had been correct. Selina and her sisters needed to be married and away from him as quickly as possible.

The Duke was not a suitable man to be looking after them.

Still, his stomach churned, and his pulse beat rapidly, noticeable in his chest as his blood remained heated.

Selina had infuriated him, she had irked him to no end, and she had disobeyed him.

Teasing her had been a form of retaliation.

His own game to make her submit. And yes, it had been enjoyable.

But this would be unacceptable. The liberties Hugh had taken with her had been—no, he would not allow himself to consider it.

Refocus on the matters at hand, Hugh. You will be stalwart and determined.

Hugh finally left the gardens, believing that he had provided Selina enough time to get into her room, so they would not risk running into each other again. He crept into the estate, heading up to his bedroom immediately.

While he might not be sleeping much this evening, he would certainly try. And come morning, he would discuss things with the Dowager Duchess so that they would at last be on the same page.

“Regain control, Hugh. Regain it, and seize it tight. You will determine the outcome of this precarious situation. You will.”

Hugh spoke to himself in his mirror and released a shaky breath. It was true that he had not slept well at all the previous evening, just as he’d assumed, but he would not falter. Hugh would correct the situation and ensure that Selina understood that a marriage was unavoidable.

Perhaps if she knew the truth…

It was not the first time he had entertained the thought.

Selina did not have a complete understanding of the situation, and while Hugh was less than enthusiastic about revealing anything extra to her, it was possible that this reveal would allow her to be more pliant, more agreeable to his demands.

Refreshing himself with a splash of water from the basin, Hugh finished his dressing and went down to the study.

He had been taking the majority of his meals there.

While he had joined the family for dinner at this point, he wished to conduct his business with Selina in private.

And he was impatient at the best of times.

He would have a servant bring her to him at once.

It only took a few moments for a gentle knock to sound from the study door.

“Come in,” he answered, not standing from his position seated behind his desk.

Slowly, Selina pushed into his office, and even just the sight of her was enough to cause his brain and body to splinter, fracturing apart as they attempted to focus on opposing ideas. She pinned her stare to the floor, a gentle blush dusting her cheeks.

And God help him, but he stiffened beneath his trousers.

Selina was such a sight, so lovely in a way that he might never have considered before he met her. He typically steered himself toward those of fair hair and complexion, those of ample bosom and loose morals.

The Dowager Duchess of Soulden was none of those things.

She was slim with the subtle hint of alluring curves revealed by the delicate fabric of her dress.

She had stark black hair the color of night, and it shone brightly whenever light reflected off it.

Her brown eyes were deep and insightful with an odd level of intelligence hidden lurking in their depths.

Dammit, Hugh. Pull yourself together.

“What can I help you with this morning, Your Grace?” Selina kept her voice level, but there was a hint of discomfort clinging to her, one that apparently even years of training had not allowed her to hide completely.

“It is I who can assist you with understanding. I have told you that you will find a new husband. There appears to be a continued misunderstanding of my order as you have yet to initiate your search. Perhaps, with a bit of clarity, that will change.”

Standing, Hugh ensured he was presentable as his thoughts had yet to empty of inappropriate conjurations thanks to the low neckline of Selina’s gown. He rounded the desk, meeting Selina’s eyes as he walked to a bookshelf to his left and retrieved a copy of his favorite tome, Frankenstein.

From within, Hugh produced the letter the late Duke had given him. He turned toward Selina once more and crossed the room to hand it to her, leaving the woman to read the letter as he leaned back against the edge of his desk, watching curiously.

Her eyes widened as she scanned the page, and then Selina looked up at him, shaking her head.

“I…I don’t understand.”

“Your late husband sent me this before his passing. You can verify the signature, I’m sure.” She looked back down at the words, still shaking her head. “So, as you can see, Easton requested that I assist you with finding a husband.”

“How did you get this?” Selina’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and despite everything, Hugh felt… something stir within him at the sight.

“It was delivered to me at the reading of his will. I was required to be there as the next heir, and it is clear that Easton knew of this. He had addressed this missive to me specifically. You can see for yourself that your husband believed you should remarry after him.”

The woman’s eyes continued to scan over the letter, again and again. Hugh watched as she focused on the page, the tension within him screwing tighter with each passing second.

“I do not know you well. That is clear and not being disputed. But it is also clear that your husband did. He knew what you would require—what you deserved—going forward, and it was his wish to see his widow marry for love this time around.”

Her eyes snapped to his, and Hugh could see the content billowing within them.

“I cared for my husband immensely.”

Hugh cocked his head, his stare dropping to the floor between us.

“I am not questioning your loyalty as Easton’s wife.

He said so in the letter himself. You two were not married for love, and while the relationship grew to be one of respect and admiration, you were not in love with each other. He wished for you to have that chance.”

“You did not know him in life. I did. I know what he would think about your demand if he were able to give his input.”

She looked enraged, so on edge that Hugh actually wondered if she might burst into a fit of screams or tear across the room to strike him.

It didn’t dissuade the Duke, nor did it make him think of Selina any differently.

He had read that letter backwards and forwards before arriving at the estate.

He knew the words and what her late husband had meant.

“Your husband knew you, Selina. He knew what was best for you.” Hugh cleared his throat, looking back up at her and meeting her eyes unblinking.

“Selina is among the finest people in the world. She is valued and valuable for exactly who she is. We did not marry for love but for her duty toward her family. She is kind and will do anything for those she loves. It is her turn to be loved for who she is.”

A tiny gasp escaped her as Hugh recited the letter word for word. She crumbled into herself and dropped her head. Without thinking, Hugh crossed the room, quickly standing in front of her as the first tear spilled over. He lifted his hand gently, wiping it away before it could slide down her cheek.

Taking his hand and holding it back from her skin, Selina glanced up at him.

The well of her eyes was fathomless and sparkling, still brimming with tears.

A light pink filled her cheeks, coloring her fair skin.

Despite the situation, despite the warnings that Hugh had already told himself repeatedly, when he looked at her like that, something stirred in his blood.

Once more, Hugh’s body and subconscious mind demanded things of him he would not submit to. Selina was distraught, overwhelmed, and it was hardly the moment to press his lips to hers again as they had been last evening.

It was never the time to do such a thing in fact.

“Why did you not inform me of this? Why was I not made aware of it at the will reading I attended? If my husband had wanted this for me…” Selina sighed, dropping Hugh’s hand and turning away from him.

“I had thought you were mindlessly trying to get me to marry again for some ridiculous form of entertainment or the desire to force everyone from the estate.”

Hugh chewed on the inside of his cheek, physically biting back his words.

He had been looking to get them all out of the estate, each woman currently under his care, but it was also true that Easton had wanted happiness for his widow.

And that was undoubtedly a better motivator for her to acquiesce.

When Selina turned back around to face him, something new lingered in her eyes. There was confusion and reminiscence, of course, but there was also a novel softness that touched her with regard to him. Hugh stiffened under that look, his skin overly tight and itchy.

It was an expression he’d seen on many of the young women he would take to bed. The na?ve sort who were just beginning to accept him, to trust him enough to allow themselves to feel intrigued and aroused.

Hugh knew precisely what he could do with that pliant attitude, the lengths to which he might go with Selina if she were to look up to him as a more noble man than he was.

“Must I truly remarry? I understand that Easton wished it, and I am so grateful that he thought to care for me even in his late years, but I am more than comfortable as I am. If it is truly my happiness that he was concerned about, then he would clearly see that I am quite happy with my life as it is.”

She believes I will bend to this all now. Selina sees me differently after the letter… I… could… No. That cannot happen here.

“You are under the misconception that I am more amenable to your desires now, but I assure you, I will still be carrying out this last order from your late husband. Viewing me in a favorable light will not serve you, Selina.”

Her expression dropped, and she shook her head. Hugh had to steady himself against the look.

“I don’t understand. If this letter?—”

“I am not capable of taking care of you and your family. I will be far too busy, and it is highly likely that I will not be staying in town. I have several affairs I must tend to.”

Selina’s look of defeat sank deeper, her shoulders drooping. It made Hugh uncomfortable, and he reached for his collar, pulling it away from his skin in an attempt to cool his feverish skin and lessen the strain he felt with each breath.

He could not understand his reaction to seeing Selina in this state, and it was time for their meeting to come to an end.

“I have several matters that demand my attention. Please heed your late husband’s wishes as I am, Selina. I do not wish to discuss this further unless it is to strategize or deliver the good news. You may go.”

The shock on her face flared before melting into a mask of indifference. She was furious with him. Hugh could tell as much, but he had to admit that he was rather impressed with Selina that she did not say anything aggressive or rude.

“Goodbye, Your Grace.” Selina curtsied gently and then spun on her heel, exiting the study in a hurry.

Dammit.

“Must I attend this ridiculous party?” Hugh stood in front of his mirror, eyeing the frivolous clothing he’d been draped in, glaring over his shoulder at his butler. “Certainly, there are far more important things that I should be doing.”

“A party is more than a social affair, Your Grace.” The man, who called himself Lionel, continued to busy himself with the various pieces of Hugh’s attire.

“You informed me to be your guide to this new lifestyle, and I assure you that a party is quite essential for any duke or member of the upper class.”

“I find it exceedingly difficult to believe that when the invitation expressly stated that this would be in celebration of the Duke and Duchess of Blackford’s final outing before the birth of their child.”

Hugh pulled at his collar once more, despising the way his attire for the ball pinched at his throat.

“They have insisted strongly that the entire family, all of our estate, attend. The Dowager and her sisters and mother, all of them, will be in attendance. They are all quite familiar with each other. The Duchess is a very good friend of the Dowager, Your Grace. Think of this as an opportunity to get into her good graces. Perhaps she will be more receptive to marriage afterward.”

Turning away from the mirror and eyeing Lionel, Hugh scowled slightly, clearing his throat as he stepped toward his dresser and retrieved his pocket watch.

“That was quite the move, Lionel. I will give you that. See that the carriage remains close by the Blackford estate. I will not be staying late into the evening.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Lionel bowed with a pleased grin, and with a heavy sigh, Hugh descended the stairs. The entire household. Yes, they would all be attending the ball, and no matter what opportunity might present itself, Hugh was not looking forward to it.

Still, he would instill a singular point of focus within Selina to ensure something came of this evening. As he passed by her in a hurry toward the coach waiting outside, he met her eyes, lowering his voice.

“Do not forget your duty, Selina. This party, while it may be held by your friends, is the perfect opportunity to inquire about your prospects. Don’t waste this chance to hurry on with finding a husband.”

She gaped at him slightly, but Hugh did not wait for a response, heading straight out the door and into the carriage.