Page 65 of The Duke and the Temporary Bride

Again, they looked at one another across the table, both smiling in a way that suggested comfort and companionship, but with a lingering sense of discomfort because they clearly had their minds on everything but the food and wine.

Why is this so awkward? It should not be. Not after everything that has happened.

Selina looked away from Benedict, unable to hold his stare for any longer. Focusing on her plate, she cut into the slab of meat and then took a forkful, determined to look anywhere but at him.

She could feel him watching her. She could sense him wanting to say something. She wished that he would! Wished that he would voice what was clearly on both of their minds so they could get it over with.

“So, I was thinking,” Benedict began. “The Mayfield Ball.”

“Yes?”

“It is in two nights, and considering how these last few days went, I assume that we will still attend?”

“I do not see why we won’t.”

He nodded. “Your mother’s visit was nothing but a success, in my estimation. I mean, if we are able to fool your mother of all people…” He chuckled. “Fooling the rest of the ton should be one of the easiest things to do.”

Her stomach dropped, and her heart sank. The way he spoke just now was indicative of how he must have felt. The facade that they had put on for her mother’s sake was indeed an act.

Well… at least that answers the question. Not the answer I expected, but an answer, nonetheless.

“We did fool them, didn’t we?” She chuckled, doing her best not to show her disappointment.

It was subtle, but Benedict frowned slightly, almost as if he was confused by her response. But he was quick to mask it with a grin that spoke to his agreement and even his relief.

“We are quite the performers.”

“So, the Mayfield Ball…?” She prompted, needing him to speak because she felt a wave of sadness assail her and did not want him to notice.

“Yes.” He cleared his throat and sat up straighter. “My thinking is that if we leave tomorrow morning, we should be able to reach Timberland Estate by dusk. Lord Timberland is a good friend of mine, and he is currently out of the country—France, in fact.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.”

“It is,” he agreed.

Again, he let the silence stretch between them. It was heavy and painful, unspoken words existing in it, seeming to batter at them both. Selina had no doubt that he could feel it, that he knew its cause. But while she had spent the last three days wondering if maybe their relationship was ready to evolve and take the next step, it was clear to her that Benedict was not of the same mind.

She would do well to remind herself that they would separate in less than a month. That, it seemed, was still the plan.

“He allowed me and Edmund to stay there the last time we were down south, and this will be no different,” Benedict continued, swatting away the tense silence as if it did not bother him. “So, we shall arrive before dusk, which will give us time to ready ourselves for the ball that night. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“And the following morning, assuming we leave early enough, we should be able to arrive back here before it is too late. A quick trip south, I know, but I think that is preferable to spending too much time near London.” He sighed and shook his head. “Best that we show our faces, get through the night, and then vanish so as not to risk anything untoward happening. Don’t you agree?”

No, she did not. Not anymore.

It had taken Selina three days to decide what she wanted. Three days of trying to convince herself that the way she and Benedict were behaving was merely an act and not at all real. Three days of lying to herself until the truth became impossible to ignore.

She was starting to fall for her husband.

Perhaps I am even starting to fall in love with him? As insane as that sounds, even to my own ears. A shame that he does not feel the same… not even close to it, considering the way he acts.

“Selina?” Benedict was speaking to her.

She looked up, saw the concern on his face, and realized that he had likely been trying to get her attention for some time.

“Oh. Sorry,” she said. “I… I was distracted.”

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