Page 46 of The Duke and the Temporary Bride

“I will speak to you however I wish.” She stepped closer to him, her eyes flicking down to that bulge in his pants—it had been on her mind all day, and oh how she yearned to reach out and grab it. “Unless you plan on stopping me.”

His eyes flashed with hunger, and he opened his mouth to respond when?—

“Your Grace! I am sorry to disturb you!” Mr. Harris walked into the study, looking flustered.

“Harris!” Benedict squeaked. He stepped back quickly and cleared his throat, looking away from Selina as if embarrassed. And she too, feeling the embarrassment, did the same. “We were just coming downstairs.”

“But Your Grace, a missive from your brother!” Mr. Harris was carrying an envelope in his hand, and he held it out to Benedict. “It has just arrived!”

“Edmund!” Benedict turned away from Selina, his eyes lighting up. “Are you certain?”

“It is his seal!”

Benedict snatched the envelope and then hurried around the desk and sat down. He pulled out a small knife and cut the envelope open, excitedly pulling out the letter within.

Selina had not moved. Apparently forgotten. She considered saying nothing, but she did not want to lose the moment they had just shared either. Most importantly, she did not want this night to come to an end.

“Benedict,” she spoke softly, “about supper…”

“Hhmm?” He looked up. “What was that?”

“Supper? Will you still be joining me or…?”

He frowned at her as if he did not understand the question. Or rather, why she was asking it. “Selina, this is slightly more important than supper. I have not heard from my brother in weeks.”

“Oh… yes. I just thought?—”

“I told you that I have written to him—that I was waiting for a reply.” The look he gave her suggested that she was daft for not understanding. “Thank God he chose to send one. Let us hope that he has done the smart thing and kept his head down these past few weeks.”

“Yes…” She tried for a smile. “But surely, a reply can wait until?—”

“We will speak at breakfast tomorrow.” He lowered his head, his eyes scanning the letter, Selina once again forgotten.

It should not have hurt as much as it did.

And yet, as Selina skulked out of the room, she could not help but feel a tightness in her chest that spoke to how upset she truly was. Suddenly, this friendship was not as rosy as it had seemed. A shame then that she felt it was too late to say otherwise.

She had dug her own grave, and now she was doomed to lie in it. Likely—and this was the real irony—Benedict would not even notice.

Chapter Sixteen

“Mr. Harris,” Benedict asked as the elderly butler strode into the dining room the following morning, “have you seen my wife this morning?”

“I am afraid not, Your Grace. Shall I look for her?”

“I am sure it is fine…” he trailed off as he looked at the empty place beside him, which was ordinarily occupied by Selina. “Perhaps she is just running a little late.”

Mr. Harris nodded in agreement. “I shall pop upstairs and double-check.”

“Do not make it obvious you are doing so,” Benedict made sure to request. “And certainly do not tell her I was asking after her.”

“I will be as subtle as a mouse in a storm.” There was a knowing smile on Mr. Harris’ face, to which Benedict responded with a warning look.

It was not until he arrived for breakfast and saw that Selina was not waiting for him that Benedict considered there might be a good reason for her absence. A reason that had everything to do with how he had spoken to her the previous evening.

He had been tired, was all. Caught off guard. And when a letter came from Edmund, the shock of it resulted in him dismissing her in a way he had not meant to.

Surely, she is not upset with me? I did not shout at her. I did not get angry. I simply dismissed her—but for reasons that were perfectly understandable!

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