Page 15 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

Damn.

He had gone too long without visiting his courtesan. After the party, he would be paying her a long visit to rid himself of the tension in his blood.

Knowing that still did not calm the salacious thoughts racing in his mind. Usually, he would have avoided a woman who tempted him so, but he had agreed to help her, and he was nothing if not honorable. He would just have to ensure that he maintained a safe distance from her at all times.

Yes. He would maintain a safe distance from her no matter how her body just begged to be touched.

Damn.

He so very dearly wanted to see if she would wear the dress he had suggested.

CHAPTER 5

Over the next few hours, her thoughts were haunted by the sound of his voice telling her to wear a green dress. Eventually, she gave in and asked Betsy, her maid, to pull out the green dress she had packed even though it required some work.

Now as she stood in the doorway of the ballroom, the focus of many guests, she grudgingly admitted that the Duke was right and the color did wonders for her. She could not blame them for looking. The dress she wore was made of emerald-green lace, offset by satin in the same color, and complete with a set of gloves. It was cut in a way that flattered her voluptuous shape in good light.

She garnered admiring glances from both ladies and gentlemen alike, confirming what she had always known. Betsy was a good hand with the needle and had managed to transform the dress so that no one noticed that it was at least from three Seasons ago.

Selina had arrived just as the men were about to withdraw to the drawing room to participate in the customary card games. Her presence had caused the process to slow down, as more than one gentleman had stopped to give her an admiring glance or two.

While she was not particularly given to vanity, their helpless attraction soothed her wounded feminine pride. She silently thanked the Duke of Seymour. His plan seemed to be working tremendously well.

“You look absolutely lovely in green.” The deep voice that belonged to the object of her recent thoughts came from somewhere behind her. In combination with his proximity, it caused the hairs on the nape of her neck to stand up.

“I would say that it definitely matches the color of so many people’s jealousy this night,” he added, slight amusement lacing his voice.

“It is all thanks to you, Your Grace. I must confess, you do have an eye for fashion,” she said, turning so she was staring into his handsome face.

She watched his amusement transform into smug satisfaction.

“I do aim to please, My Lady,” he said with a slight bow. “My job is only half done, at the moment. You have yet to attract a suitor. I bet my entire estate that you will attract a score of them tonight.”

“Do not tell me you are prone to gambling, Your Grace?” she asked with a teasing smile.

“It would be for a worthy cause,” he replied, his eyes dancing with merriment.

“My Lady,” a voice called from behind her, causing her to turn around.

It was the blonde-haired, blue-eyed son of the Duke of Nothingham, and he was smiling at her sheepishly, if not nervously.

She did not blame him—the lad had hardly attended college. He was still young and inexperienced in the game of charming the ladies of the ton, even though he did have the makings of a future rake with his blonde, Adonis-like looks. She almost felt sorry for the ladies; how easily he would be able to charm them to their ruin if he so pleased.

“Could I perhaps trouble you for a dance?” he asked with a bright smile. “I believe a quadrille will start soon.”

Selina had to admit that what he lacked in experience, he made up for with his manners and enthusiasm. While he might not be a good suitor for her, he was an attractive man. He would make a good partner even if he did not set her blood on fire the way the Duke of Seymour did without making an effort.

“I would be delighted to, Your Grace,” she replied with a deep curtsey, offering him the dance card that was tied to her wrist.

“I believe that is my cue to leave,” Seymour spoke up from behind her, causing her to turn back to him.

She had been acutely aware of his presence even though he had remained quiet. The back of her neck warmed as the heat of his breath met her, causing her to heat up everywhere else.

“My Lady, do enjoy your dance. I believe I promised to dance with one lady this evening,” he said with a bow.

Acknowledging her dance partner with a nod, he strode away and met up with a young, blonde lady—a debutante, Selina was sure, gauging by how hard she giggled.

She was a golden beauty, and Selina could see why Seymour would want to have her as a dance partner. It was a natural response any red-blooded man would have to such a young, innocent beauty, but she did not understand why it made her chest tighten and her breath shorten.

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