Page 29 of The Duke and the Temporary Bride

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Excitement was what Selina felt as she hurried through the house. She told herself it was brought about by boredom, and that she would feel this way regardless of whom she was on her way to see.

That is the easier lie to swallow, and swallow it I shall.

Deep down, she could not help but wonder if this was the best idea she’d had since arriving here or the worst. For she knew that this might be the last chance that she and her husband had at bridging the gap that had existed between them since they first met.

Ultimately, it would come down to her husband and what he wanted. That, however, was a mystery to her. Soon to be solved.

The knock at the door had Benedict’s head snapping up from what he was doing, which was the same thing he had been doing all week—trying to look busy.

“What is it, Harris?” he called out. “I told you I was busy.”

The door cracked open, and a soft voice that was certainly not Mr. Harris’s spoke, “I’m sorry, I did not mean to disturb you. I can… I can come back later if you wish?”

“Selina!” Benedict stood up without thinking. The panic that took over was as unexpected as it was unpredictable. “I’m sorry, I thought you were Harris.”

Selina lingered in the doorway as if scared to enter. Not that this was surprising. The very fact that she was there at all was a shock to Benedict. But she said nothing, as if only just now realizing what a terrible idea this was.

“What are you doing here?” he barked, to which she winced. He sucked air through his teeth because he had not meant to sound so harsh. “I mean, I did not expect to see you,” he tried again, his voice softer.

“I was speaking with Harris,” she began, still standing in the doorway. “And he told me that…” She bit her lip. “That you might appreciate some company.”

Benedict frowned. “He did?”

“I can leave if you like,” she added quickly. “If he was mistaken?—”

“No!” Benedict hurried around his desk. “You do not have to leave. If you came all this way…”

She snorted. “It was quite the journey. So many steps.”

He laughed also. “I just meant, now that you are here…” He tried for a casual shrug, a means to dispel the tension he could feel growing between them. “Would you like to come in?”

“I would like that very much,” she said with a genuine smile.

She turned and closed the door—the sound of it clicking shut pierced the silence—and then wandered into the study. But not too far in. Benedict stood in front of his desk, and she stopped halfway as if an invisible barrier was blocking her path.

Has it really been five days since we last saw one another? It is hard to believe… harder still to believe that I was able to stay away for this long.

They said that time healed all wounds, and although that might not have been entirely accurate, Benedict certainly felt that it helped to obscure them.

The truth was, he had forgotten how beautiful she was. Her dark features. Those little freckles on her delicate nose. Her plump lips. Her figure, curvaceous yet still so petite and fragile that he worried that just being in his presence might make her break.

When Benedict had decided that avoiding Selina was the best course of action, it had made perfect sense—it had feltright.But now, five days later, after more time spent wondering if he had spoken too quickly or said the wrong thing, none of what had mattered back then seemed nearly as present now.

If he and Selina ever had a chance at a fresh start, this was it. All he had to do was not ruin it.

Easier said than done.

“So…” He swallowed. “How have you been?”

“Bored,” she said simply. “And you?”

“Busy,” he responded shortly. Then he added quickly, “Which is not an excuse. I have not been avoiding you on purpose, is my meaning.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you sure about that? It seems to me that is exactly what you have been doing.”

He leaned back, surprised by the sudden aggression. It had been so long since the two had spoken that he had forgotten what she was like. And dammit if it didn’t excite him.

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