Page 10 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

He watched her as she laughed, saying nothing, but the intensity of his stare eventually stopped her. She looked away from him, wrapping her hands around herself. He still said nothing as he watched her, and she wondered what he was thinking.

“Your Grace?” she called softly, jarring him out of his thoughts.

“I assume that your laughter means that you do not believe me,” he said with a playful smile.

“It is rather hard to imagine, Your Grace,” she answered with a smile of her own. “You do not speak to anyone. I can hardly trust what you say about anyone here.”

He smirked and stepped closer, crowding her with his broad frame and delicious scent. She hated how heat rose to her cheeks at his proximity. Her heart raced in her chest unsteadily, and even though she hated to admit it, she found his attention… welcome.

A couple of eyes strayed to them, and she noticed a few guests duck behind their fans to whisper. They were being utterly improper, conversing this long without a chaperone—especially given his proximity—but he didn’t seem to notice or care.

“If I do not know so much about people, then how do I know that Lord Caldwell broke off his engagement to Lady Fiona and is now courting Miss Hannah?” he asked.

Selena raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

It wasn’t exactly uncommon knowledge, but she hadn’t expected the Duke, who often pronounced himself too busy for gossip, to be aware of such trifles.

“How…?”

“I have my sources,” he stated smugly. “Is that enough to convince you that I can help? Think of it as repayment for your help last night. I do not like to owe favors.”

“You would not be owing me if you chose not to help,” she tried again. “Besides, knowing a little bit of gossip doesn’t make you an expert on the gentlemen of the ton. You barely know anything about me or my interests. How can you find me a match that aligns with my interests or will make me happy in the long run?”

He was gradually wearing down her walls with his insistence, and as she considered the idea, it seemed a much more welcome decision despite common sense warning her otherwise.

She really did need help, now that she realized how lacking she was. But accepting it from the Duke? It was entirely inconceivable.

She had failed yet again to name anyone who could assist her learning process, and who better to educate her than the Duke, who was often described as too proper?

Many a nobleman had described him as charming, and even Stephen had waxed lyrical about his charms once he had gotten past his initial misgivings about the man.

He looked so eager that she knew it would hurt him if she refused again.

“It is a hard thing you offer, Your Grace,” she admitted, biting her lip and looking down.

She felt his hand on her chin as he tilted her face up to his.

He was even closer now, and at this proximity, she could see the little brown flecks in his blue irises and the thick, dark lashes that framed them. She swallowed deeply, her eyes darting down to his lips and then back to his eyes. There was a light dusting of freckles on the bridge of his nose, which added a youthful air to his face.

They were barely a hair’s breadth apart, and if he were to lean in closer, he would be kissing her. She found she didn’t oppose the idea as much as she should have.

She stepped back, needing to put some distance between them to gather her thoughts, which had most definitely strayed.

“Where would we even begin?” she asked. “If I were to agree, that is,” she added quickly, noting his triumphant smile.

“You can start by wearing something green tonight,” he suggested. “I believe it would look marvelous with your eyes. Perhaps even brighten them and make you look more interesting. You are a beautiful woman, Selina. It does not become you to dress in a way that does not flatter your beauty.”

He broke their stare to trace the curves of her body with his eyes, sparking a hot and sensual heat.

“You have the potential to hold the entire English aristocracy in thrall.”

“I thank you, Your Grace, for your kind words.”

Selina cleared her throat to regain some of her composure, her voice slightly hoarse with the effort. She wanted to laugh at the ludicrous suggestion. A dress, of all things? What did he know about women’s fashion?

“But surely you cannot be serious. A dress would hardly help me. I have worn very elegant dresses all Season, yet they haven’t helped in the least.”

“Are you the tutor, or am I?” he asked with amusement. “You accepted my help, so you will help me do what I do best.”

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