Page 56 of The Duke and the Temporary Bride

He chuckled. “As unbelievable as it may sound, I can do two things simultaneously.”

“Oh, I knowthatfor a fact.”

He groaned as he felt his member stiffen again. “There is a ball at the end of next week,” he continued, clenching his jaw to feign some semblance of self-control. “And it is my thinking that you and I attend.” He looked at her. “As man and wife.”

Finally, Selina stopped trying to bait him.

“Oh…” She blinked. “A ball?”

“That is right. Summer began last month, and this promises to be the biggest ball of the Season, so far. A who’s who of lords and ladies and social sponges desperate to entrench themselves in the ton should be there, and it might benefit us if we attend.” He tried to meet her eyes, but she refused to give them, clearly taken aback by his suggestion. “What do you think?”

“I…” She bit her lip. “I am surprised.”

“It is the smart thing to do,” he made sure to emphasize. “If we are seen behaving in a civil manner, it will stamp out any lingering gossip. We can… behave civilly, yes?”

She tittered awkwardly. “It depends on what you mean by ‘civilly.’”

“Oh, you know,” he sighed as he reached across the table and took her hand. “Pleasant conversation. Dancing. Resisting the urge to be at one another’s throats for at least one evening.”

“Ah, well, there is the problem—I do not know if we have it in us.”

She sounded as if she was joking, and perhaps she was.

Benedict and Selina had reached a level of comfort that allowed them to joke and tease each other without taking it seriously, both aware of what they were now and what they wanted.

It was nerves that Benedict could see in his wife. But was she nervous because she did not know if they could spend an evening together without fighting? Or because to do that might risk them exploring another set of feelings that they seemed happy to ignore for now?

“It will just be for show,” he made sure to explain. “Just to prove to everyone that we are happily married and there is no need for concern or alarm.”

She frowned as she looked at him. A shadow passed behind her eyes, a question which she was not sure if she should ask. “So long as it is just for show.”

“What else could it be?”

After what had happened the previous evening, it would not be an understatement to say that Benedict was as happy as he had ever been. And he was certain that Selina was of the same mind. But it was a certain type of happiness, brought about by arguments and taunts because they knew where they would lead.

It was also shallow. Fun, yes. Impossibly enticing and addictive, of course. But it was all superficial, purely physical, a relationship based on giving in to temptation while ignoring any chance that they might delve that little bit deeper.

For now, that was easy enough to justify. With this marriage set to end, why would they want anything else?

“I suppose I ought to choose what I’m going to wear,” Selina said eventually. “If we are going to fool everyone, I wish to look good while doing it.”

Benedict breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she was on board. “I am sure that whatever you pick, you will look wonderful. Although, truth be told, I prefer you in nothing at all.”

Her eyes flashed with excitement. “Careful, husband…” A quick glance across the room, at where Mr. Harris stood awkwardly in the corner. “Perhaps we should make sure that we are alone before engaging in such talk.”

“Yes, I think you are right.” Benedict laughed. “Unless we wish to scar the poor man for life.” His heart began to race, and his member stiffened even further.

Their marriage was far from perfect. It was still only temporary. But for now, he and Selina seemed happy to exist in the space they had created for themselves.

And as happy as he was… Benedict could tell from the look in his wife’s eyes that he was about to be even happier in a few minutes.

Chapter Twenty

It was five days later, and Selina’s body literally shook because she was that excited. She stood with her hands clasped before her, her eyes wide, her smile so big and toothy that it hurt her face. And while she tried to stand still and present a sophisticated air, not that of a child who had eaten too many sweets, it was awfully hard to do.

“I would have assumed that I had worn you out.” Benedict chuckled from beside her. “At least I meant to.”

She did not look at him, for her gaze was saved for the carriage that approached steadily in the distance. But she gave an eye roll and a dismissive snort.

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