Page 25

Chapter Twenty

T hat evening, Selina could not fall asleep, despite her efforts to force her thoughts of Hugh from her head.

When they’d returned from the theater that afternoon, Hugh had gone to his study, and Selina did not see him until dinner.

Even then, they said nothing to each other.

This was precisely what she detested about their relationship, yet she’d still fallen victim to his charms.

She cursed herself and sat up in her bed, scrubbing her hands down her face.

“How could I let myself do this again?” Selina pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them. “Why can I not find the resolve to swat that man away like a pesky fly?”

Her skin heated at the thought of the theater.

She’d been terrified that someone might notice what they were doing, but no one had.

They’d gotten away with their little tryst, and it should not thrill her as much as it did.

Selina had always been a proper lady, and Hugh was leading her astray from that path with every moment they spent together.

“Ugh, no. No more. I shall sleep, and I will not allow Hugh to continue this.”

Selina didn’t believe herself for a moment, but she needed to try. Lying back down, she buried her head in the pillow, trying to focus on the in and out of her breaths, the sound of them, and the way she felt.

But her attempt at slumber was interrupted when she heard the sound of intense conversation just outside her window.

“What on earth?” She sat up once more, rushing to the window and peeking out through the glass to see who was carrying on so late at night. “Lydia? Hugh ?”

Unable to make out the words, Selina stared at the two of them, trying to piece together at least the mood of the conversation.

It appeared that the two of them were fighting.

Lydia looked distraught, her hands flailing about as she spoke.

And while Hugh was the opposite, utterly still, Selina could see the way his brow furrowed, even from a distance.

It was a habit of his when he was upset, one that also included clenching his jaw.

After a few minutes, Lydia stormed back inside the estate. Hugh stood in the garden for a minute, pinching the bridge of his nose before slipping inside as well. Lydia, however, appeared to be crying as she fled the interaction.

Hugh did not touch her.

The thought made a flash of guilt pass through Selina. She shouldn’t think so lowly of the Duke or her sister, for that matter, but Lydia had been so upset, and Selina couldn’t determine what might have upset her so much.

Her room was silent, and there was no chance that she would be able to sleep now, so instead, she stole to Lydia’s room.

Cracking the door, Selina looked around for any sign of her sister, but she had not returned yet.

She slipped inside, sitting down on Lydia’s bed and waiting for her to arrive in the quiet.

Before long, Lydia entered the room like a hurricane, sobbing and grumbling to herself before tossing a bag Selina had not noticed toward her wardrobe.

“Lydia, what on earth has upset you so much?”

Her sister jumped at the sound of Selina’s voice, the surprise taking her before Lydia realized who it was, and then she flung herself into Selina’s arms, crying all the harder.

Selina let her go on for a while until the tears finally dried up, and she pulled her sister into a seat next to her on the bed.

“Come on, now. Speak. What has happened?”

Tears pricked at the corners of Lydia’s eyes. “He—He caught me. He st-stopped me from r-running away.”

Lydia hiccuped out the words, trying to speak around the sobs that began to rack her again. Selina furrowed her brow, though, as she processed just what Lydia had said. He had stopped her? Hugh?

“Hugh stopped you from running away from the estate?” Selina stared down at her sister, flabbergasted.

Lydia gave a nod and tried to pull herself together once more, sniffling and dabbing at her eyes with the sleeves of her simple day dress.

She’d changed from dinner but not into her sleeping attire, instead opting for this outfit that Selina assumed she’d chosen to blend in with others on the street.

“What could have possessed you to do such a thing? That is so foolish, Lydia. How would you survive on your own?”

Her sister’s face changed in an instant, from plagued with sorrow to fiery with anger. Scoffing, Lydia pulled back from Selina and scooted away on the mattress, crossing her arms.

“I cannot stay here a moment longer, Selina. I am astounded that you have been able to live at all with Hugh so insistent on being a part of your business. He is a tyrant. Always demanding we obey him without clarity or flexibility. Hugh will not even discuss things with us. Any of us! We are to live by his rules alone. I’m sick of it. ”

Selina’s mouth dropped open, shaking her head. “Lydia, I?—”

“Do not deny it. He is constantly bickering with you as well. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

You glare at each other nearly every moment you are in the same room.

You are the most well-behaved of all of us.

How could I hope to believe that the Duke will treat us with respect when he cannot even do it for you? ”

Lydia had a point, of course, but she also didn't know the behind-the-scenes details that affected all their situation. She didn’t know what had gone on between Hugh and Selina, and the Duchess prayed that her sister never would.

But what could she do to ease her sister’s suffering?

Lydia might have been a bit of a gossip with her head in the clouds, but she didn’t deserve to be so miserable.

“If I stay here,” Lydia dropped her head as she reached for Selina’s hands, entwining their fingers together, “I am bound to be married off to the highest bidder. He could be an old man with a massive bald spot on his head and the waistline to support his obsession with sweets.”

Selina couldn’t stop the laugh that erupted from her. Lydia looked up sharply, but then her mouth wrinkled as she fought her laughter, losing after only a few moments. They giggled quietly together for a second, and Selina squeezed Lydia’s hands.

“You know it’s true,” Lydia complained. “I remember Easton as well as anyone, and you’re lucky that he was not an utter slug of a man.

And yes, I know there are other things to be concerned about—a cruel man, a violent man—but that is just the thing.

I feel as if I have no control over who I might marry.

And while there have always been restrictions, this is far worse than anything Mother has insisted on. ”

Again, Lydia was not incorrect. She was quite right, in fact. Their mother had always been strict with them, and she wanted all her children to marry successfully. Still, Bridget had always given her daughters the right to refuse someone. Hugh…well, it did not look so clear that he would.

“I understand, Lydia. I promise you I won’t let that happen.” Selina offered her sister a tight smile, running her thumb across the back of her hand.

“How are you going to do anything about it? Hugh will?—”

“I’ll speak with him. As you said, I’m the one he’s likely to see in the best light. I shall use that to my advantage to help you. You are my sister, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Lydia.”

She seemed to settle, and Selina nodded as she stood up. When Lydia looked up at her, still nervous, Selina leaned down and embraced her, holding her tight for a moment. When she straightened, a massive yawn cracked over Lydia’s face.

“Get some rest. I will talk to Hugh in the morning.”

Lydia nodded, a weak smile on her face. “Very well. I adore you, sister. Always.”

“And I you, Lydia. Always.”

Selina left her sister to get her rest, rushing quickly down the hall to her room as quietly as she could.

When she slipped inside, worry clung to her.

Lydia had been so terrified of what might happen when the time came for her to marry, and Selina understood that dread probably better than anyone else.

There were so many lives at stake right now.

Her own, Lydia’s, Myra’s when she came of age, and Selina could not sit idly by and do nothing to aid them.

Her mind was still so turbulent that Selina knew she would not sleep. Instead, she sat down at her desk, lighting the candle there to provide illumination, and set about writing another letter to Ethel.

Dearest Ethel,

Matters here have not improved, and I have just caught Lydia attempting to run away from the estate.

I write to you now, having just left her room.

I have no idea of the hour, but I am certain it must be after two o’clock.

Each day feels as if it is getting worse, with more and more things going wrong.

Lydia is terrified of marrying someone fiendish, and unsurprisingly, it appears that Hugh has been extremely rigid with his demands that she find a husband quickly.

I had not known that she continued to speak to him about the matter though I should not be surprised, considering I have done the same.

I wish I knew what you were doing. How is your life?

Have you been away for your health? Is it because of some relationship issue?

You leave me nothing to go on, and my mind whirls with speculation.

I don’t genuinely suspect that of course.

However, a bit of gossip from you might very well ease the tension we’re all feeling back home.

I could start a terrible rumor for you. You could detail what you would like me to tell our friends. It will be a delightful joke.

I act as if I can gain a response from you now, but I know I won’t. Although I wish you might finally write back to me, I fear I am terribly lonely in this house full of people.

Regardless of all that, I will speak to Hugh tomorrow. It shall be uncomfortable, to say the least. At the theater, he

Selina scratched through the last few words so that Ethel would not be able to read them. She would not bring up that terrible business. It was not essential and better left ignored.

But I will persist as always. I will do what is best for my family and protect my sisters to the best of my ability. I do hope to hear from you someday. You have all my love.

Your friend,

Selina