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Chapter Twelve

“ P lease greet me, as the lady of the house, then you may progress to the master, and I will then introduce you to each of the guests in attendance.”

Hugh, as Selina had come to think of him now, fought back the roll of his eyes, but he succeeded only partly.

She eyed him, raising her brows to continue.

This demonstration of proper table etiquette at a party was starting for the fifth time at least. They’d practiced for the past two days, and he was beginning to understand, but he was very resistant.

“There is no one else here, S—” She narrowed her eyes at him, and Hugh sighed. “Your Grace.”

With a smile, she nodded. “I am aware, Your Grace, but you must pretend with me. It is the only way to practice what you have learned truly. Reciting the answers is one thing, but I must see you in action.”

He bit back a groan but did as asked. “Greetings, Your Grace. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

Stepping forward, Hugh took her hand and laid a gentle kiss on the back of it before turning to her imaginary husband.

“And good evening, Your Grace. I look forward to dinner.”

Selina grinned, proud of the man despite his clear annoyance with the practice. Lowering her voice, Selina offered a response from the man of the house.

“Well met, Your Grace. It is wonderful that you could join us. These are my guests.” Selina turned toward the empty space to her left, gesturing around as if there were people in the room with them.

“The Duke of Aldworth.” Hugh gave a bow and a nod, waiting for the rest. “The Duke and Duchess of Mullens and his sister, Rose.” Another acceptable bow.

“And the Duke and Duchess of Blackford.”

Hugh offered a good evening to the imaginary guests, and Selina walked them across the room, pretending as if they were leaving the drawing room and going to the dining room for supper.

She had told him that he would be presented there first, and then the lady of the house would request the first lady in rank to walk first into the room where they would be dining.

She had also explained to him the ranking and precedence of how the women and men would proceed, to which she was met with another eye roll from Hugh.

“Must everything be a demonstration of rank? It’s exhausting.”

Selina did her best not to grin. “Unfortunately for you, yes. Everything is done with the notion of rank in mind. You will grow accustomed to it.”

Giving him a supportive pat on the hand, Selina showed Hugh how she would enter after all the other ladies in attendance and how he would take his place in the lineup of those who were mock attending.

“Now, when we are seated, it has been established in my home that I direct the men and women to sit alternating. Highest ranking toward myself, where I would sit at the head of the table, proceeding down toward where my husband would sit.”

“It is not always so? Are there yet more rules that I must learn?” Hugh practically grumbled the words, and Selina eyed him, attempting to get him to focus.

Still, she noted that his irritation had mellowed some, and her frustration with the Duke had also lessened.

She was used to his demeanor now, and in truth, it did not progress further than some annoyance.

He listened to her dutifully—though not without a critique of the entire system of etiquette—and Hugh proved to be a quick study at remembering the proper positioning of himself.

They sat now in the places indicated, and Selina turned to the topic of conversation at the dinner table. Hugh had been especially resistant to tempering his words so far, which meant that now was indeed a test of how much he had learned.

“Your Grace, how are you finding the first course?” Selina asked.

“It is quite delicious, Your Grace.” The Duke did not offer further conversation or inquire about the dish at all.

“This is the part where you continue the conversation, Your Grace. You ask about the meal, the lady’s health, something polite that will show your interest.”

“But I am not interested, especially seeing that the lady in question is you, and I am very familiar with the state of your health and the contents of this invisible meal.”

Selina’s shoulders drooped a little, and she sighed. “Your Grace, this is part of the practice. If you cannot do it here, how am I to believe you will be capable of honoring the etiquette we have studied during an actual event?”

Hugh grumbled to himself, rolling his eyes before leaning across the table toward her and leveling Selina with an intense gaze.

“This was your idea to ‘practice’ like this. I am not a child, Selina. I am fully capable of remembering the rules and adhering to them.”

His face was very near hers, and it was not the first time that they had accidentally found themselves in close proximity during these lessons. Each time it happened, Selina’s brain fumbled, tripping over itself as she fought to keep memories of their kiss at bay.

The way Hugh looked at her now was too potent for her liking, too much like he could see right through her all the way to the buttons on the back of her dress.

Selina’s skin flushed, and of course, the Duke took notice. His eyes roamed over her face for only a second, but it was enough to cause the dark twinkle in his eyes to reappear.

Silence hung over them until Selina could force herself to clear her throat and lean back into her seat.

“Please, Your Grace. Let us just get through this mock conversation, and then we can switch to another topic for consideration.”

He studied her, something about his expression making Selina’s spine tingle. Hugh cocked his head ever so slightly, his lips parting just before the words came out of them.

“And how are you enjoying yourself this evening, Your Grace?” The words were innocent enough, and he was listening to her. Still, Selina knew there was something else, thanks to his tone. “You appear somewhat flushed. Are you well?”

Selina could not stop the slight glare that overtook her expression. She raised her brows just a hair, eyeing Hugh as the muscles in her jaw worked.

“I am very well, thank you, Your Grace. It is simply warm. But how kind of you to inquire about me. And what of your recent introduction into the aristocracy? Are you faring well?”

Hugh’s jaw muscle twitched, and Selina knew that she was treading on a subject he did not enjoy speaking of. When he remained silent, she leaned forward onto her elbow, regarding him with a grin.

“I understand that you would rather discuss something else, Your Grace, but everyone in the ton will ask. It is better to rehearse your answer now.”

Clearing his throat, Hugh sat up straighter in his chair, his eyes never once leaving Selina’s.

“I am learning so much, and I am so very grateful to the Dowager for welcoming me to the estate with open arms. She is very amenable to my entry as the new Duke of Soulden.” Selina could hear the tease as he spoke of her in the third person as if she were not the one he was conversing with.

“I am certain that she will make for an excellent wife to whomever has the fortune of acquiring her hand now that she is looking for a husband following the Duke’s unfortunate passing. ”

It took everything she had not to snap at him, but Selina knew that was precisely the reaction the Duke was searching for.

He wished to irritate her into abandoning the etiquette she’d been so insistent on.

Hugh would not win this, however. Selina was an expert at schooling herself after years of needing to do just that.

Still, it was his assertion that she would find a new match that dug under her skin the most. Selina had attempted to work out an arrangement with Magnus, and Hugh had butted into their conversation. He was certainly sending mixed messages in that regard, but she would not stoop to that level.

“That is excellent to hear. I do so hope that a fine match is made for both of them.” She mimed using the napkin to tidy her mouth. “This has been a lovely dinner indeed. And we have dancing, of course. Please join us on the floor, Your Grace.”

That made the man blanch, and a thrill of satisfaction rang through Selina’s nerves like a bright chime from a bell.

“Dancing?” Hugh asked, his expression dropping from the presentation of relaxed indifference.

“Indeed. It is a crucial part of any event hosted by the ton and members of the upper class. Certainly, you know how to dance, Your Grace?”

His stare was daggers sent straight through her. “I am aware of how to dance, Selina. I just do not see why I must.”

“Ah ah,” she corrected, “it is still ‘Your Grace.’ And I will guide you through it. No need to worry.”

If she could have captured Hugh’s expression at that exact moment, Selina would have it framed and set upon the wall. Disgust and nerves warred for dominance across his features, and Selina chewed the inside of her cheek so that she would not burst into a fit of laughter.

Selina stood from the table and gestured toward the door. “Right this way, Your Grace.”

“Your hand goes here on my waist.” Selina guided Hugh’s hand into the proper position. “And do not let your elbows droop. You will be attending lavish events every Season. You must perfect this art.”

“This is ridiculous. I am aware of the modern dances.” Hugh’s complaining had not stopped since they left the dining room. “Seli?—”

She raised her brows at him, making a face.

“ Your Grace ,” Hugh squinted at her, “is this entirely necessary?”

Selina stepped back, ready to go through the steps of the dance with Hugh again now that she had perfected the way he positioned his hands when they met during the line.

“Show me that you are well prepared for this particular dance, and I will end my instruction in dance.” She smiled at him, feeling lighter and more exhilarated than she should at the feeling of Hugh’s hands warming her skin. “Shall we?”

Rolling his eyes, which Selina couldn’t help but chuckle at, the Duke nodded.