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“Or perhaps you were even imagining more. Hmm, Selina? Was that pretty little head of yours swimming with ideas?”

The insinuation shocked Selina enough to snap back to reality. She pushed the Duke away, yanking herself backward to put some much-needed distance between them. She was still roiling with internal fire, her face burning as her breath came and went in tiny needy puffs.

“How dare you,” she managed to squeak out. “I am a lady, Your Grace.”

More of Selina’s confidence returned, and she shook her head, glaring at the man before her with unrestrained fury. He had put her into a terrible situation, and she knew precisely what kind of man he was now.

“And it appears that you are nothing but a rake. What on earth were you doing in here with that woman? Did you truly wish to-to bed her right in the library? I will not have it. And I am nothing like that. I have imagined nothing .”

Selina’s voice had increased steadily in volume as her mind came back to her, and she stomped a foot at the end of her tirade, ever more furious with the man who stood so smugly before her.

“Careful, Selina. That voice of yours carries.” He narrowed his eyes on her, the Duke’s striking green eyes still twinkling. “I hardly think it will matter to anyone that you are over there. They will see us alone in the room together. Is that what you want?”

Selina clamped her mouth shut, seething as she considered the Duke’s words. It was true that no one would bother with the details. Rumors would spread about them in moments. That was the way of the ton, and she knew that better than most, considering what had happened with dear Amelia.

“And not that it’s any of your business, but I was conducting a private matter in a private location. You are the one who barged in.” Selina scoffed, but the man kept right on going. “Should I have entertained Darrington’s proposal in the dining room, then?”

“That is not what I said, and you are well aware of the fact that the door was open. I was merely checking on the status of my own home.”

The Duke smirked. “Oh, were you then? I see. But you did not leave, Selina. You remained right there.” He gestured with his head at the floor. “I should think that it is you who are the scandalous one. A voyeur peeking in on a confidential moment.”

Selina’s mouth dropped open, and she bristled from head to foot. The animosity between them ticked up all the higher, and she raised her brows, ready to tear into the man for implying such things about her.

“Still,” his word halted her, and Selina glared as the man interrupted her chance to reply yet again, “I could be persuaded to forgive the error. Under one condition of course.”

Sighing, she folded her arms, leaning on one leg as she regarded the infuriating man.

“Which is?”

“That you admit that you liked it.” Too quickly, the man was right back in front of Selina again, his face inches from hers. “Should you confess what you were really thinking as you watched, I will forgive the way you interrupted my personal business.”

Her throat felt too tight, and Selina fought not to tremble where she stood.

The man’s proximity did something to her, and Selina hated it, wanted absolutely no part of it.

And yet, as she was frozen in front of the Duke, her gaze fell from his emerald eyes to his mouth before she could quickly yank them up again.

The Duke smirked.

Anger bubbled up, even the momentary lustful thoughts were not enough to drive away the irritation she felt because of this manipulative man. Selina pulled herself away again, glaring and glaring and glaring—for there was nothing else she could think to do.

“I will say no such thing because it is the furthest from the truth. I loathe being in your presence, I can assure you.”

His brow slowly rose to meet his hairline, and the Duke looked down at Selina like she was some fascinating, vexing creature of mystery. It made her itch, wishing the low cut of her dress was much higher than it was.

“I dare say, Selina. I am?—”

Knock, knock, knock.

Before Selina could say another word, the Duke snagged her by the shoulders and spun her around, walking her to the far wall and pinning her there with her back to it. He held a finger to his lips, quietly shushing her.

“Selina? Are you in there? I thought I heard your voice, and we still cannot locate the Duke.”

It was Charlotte, one of her closest friends among the small group of confidants she had gathered around her, which including Amelia, Magnus, and Ethel as well.

Selina mentally cursed, wishing for a simple escape from this bloody room.

She was held beneath the Duke’s weight; however, the firmness of his stare pressed her down as surely as his hands.

Even more, Selina wished that she wasn’t so furiously hot beneath the man’s stare. His closeness ratcheted up the heat coursing through her just when it had turned from inappropriate to angry, and now, everything was swirled up again.

Leaning forward, the Duke whispered into her ear again, his breath warm against her skin as one of his hands came up to her neck, pushing her chin to the side so that he could get as close as possible.

“Don’t let her in, Selina. You wouldn’t want her to see you in such a compromising position, would you?”

Her voice trembling, Selina forced herself to answer as smoothly as she could.

“Don’t come in, please, Charlotte. I require a moment.”

“I… Selina, are you all right? You sound off, dear.”

Charlotte’s voice was full of concern as it filtered through the door. Selina hated this, but it would be too difficult to explain what was going on if Charlotte came in and saw her with the Duke.

“I am feeling unwell, I’m afraid. I don’t wish for you to see me like this. I am—” But her words cut short, and Selina had to force the gasp that escaped her as the Duke brushed his lips across her neck to remain locked within her. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I… I truly just… feel…”

Her words hung, the Duke still tormenting her with the feeling of his caresses against her neck and collarbones. A tiny whimper slipped free despite how hard she was trying to remain quiet, and Selina chewed on her lip. Her hand went to the Duke’s chest, gripping the fabric of his waistcoat.

She should shove the man away, but she simply couldn’t, horribly wrapped up in the feeling of his teasing ministrations along her throat and shoulder.

“… awful. I feel just awful, Charlotte. Please .”

Selina wasn’t sure what she was pleading for if she was honest with herself, but some of it was indeed that Charlotte wouldn’t come in. The rest… she wouldn’t let herself consider it.

“Oh, Selina. I am so sorry. Get your bearings. I shall work with your mother to locate the Duke for his introduction.”

With that, Selina heard the sounds of her footsteps in the hall diminish, and she let out a sigh of relief, which was quickly stolen as the Duke nibbled maddeningly on the sensitive skin beneath her ear.

The Duke pulled back then, looking down at Selina with a horrible smirk plastered all over his handsome face.

A face that she wished was so much more awful than it was.

That evil mortification snaked through her again, and Selina wanted nothing more than to disappear from the spot entirely without another word.

“I had hardly expected you to be so wanton, Selina.” The Duke’s smile stretched farther. “That little sound you made was… well.”

She opened her mouth to refute his claim, but the Duke’s finger pressed to her lips, silencing her while driving that loathsome embarrassment higher.

“Don’t bother lying to me, Selina. I expect you to be on your best behavior now.” He stood back, straightening his clothing as he met her furious gaze. “After all, I know your weakness now, and I am more than happy to appeal to it whenever it is necessary.”

The words drove a spike of fear through Selina’s spine, and then the Duke spun on his heel and exited the room without another word.