Page 21 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

“Excellent choice, Your Grace.” The modiste beamed as she walked into a smaller space at the end of the shop to take down his orders.

In no time, she had returned and asked if he would like to order gloves. He chose some colors matching the dresses they had already purchased and ordered them to be made in satin. Selina was so beautiful with her stunning green eyes and glowing skin that he was positive that the colors would look good on her.

After requesting that he be billed despite Selina’s protests, he escorted her to her carriage and waved her goodbye before hiring a hackney that would take him to Eli’s townhouse.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be back so early, especially since you have taken Wilkins’ sister to the modiste,” Eli said once Richard stepped into the study of his London townhouse.

“It was a simple affair that was concluded in no time, and the lady in question was sent home to rest,” Richard said absentmindedly, moving straight to where the decanter of brandy sat.

Splashing some into a glass, he downed the shot at once, bracing himself for the inevitable heat that bloomed in his throat and chest.

“I think you have a soft spot for her,” Eli said suddenly in a matter-of-fact tone that caused Richard to choke on his drink and cough.

“Wh-Why would you think that?” Richard asked between coughs.

“Well, that might be because you follow her around with your eyes, and what man follows a woman he is not interested in to the modiste?”

“I do. Lady Selina is a dear friend of mine, and I decided to give her insight when she decided to change her wardrobe. It is my way of showing my gratitude,” he said, cradling his glass before taking a seat opposite Eli. “She recently saved me from a particularly desperate marriage-seeking debutante and her equally scheming mama. I am simply returning the favor by helping her attract a suitor.”

“Perhaps. But it might be better if you were the suitor. It would not hurt to get married soon, especially since you seem to have a good relationship with the beautiful lady in question.”

“You do realize, Eli, that I am the last person who should be planning to get married when the drama that ensued between me and Lottie is still fresh in the minds of the ton. It would be prudent to exercise care in choosing a bride who does not have hidden bloodthirsty tendencies. Besides, the lady does not seem to be interested,” Richard said ruefully.

“You are blind if you really believe that—but I know you are not. I would write off your excuses as fear of the unknown, but Selina is not like your parents or Lottie. You still have a chance of being deliriously happy with a lady that you desire.”

“I never took you for a shrink, Eli. While I’m sure it makes for good entertainment to discuss my love life, I think now is the time for a subject change. What time do you plan on visiting Gentleman Jackson’s salon?”

“In the evening, perhaps,” Eli answered, sipping brandy from the glass he cradled to his chest.

“I will accompany you. I need something to do to work off accumulated tension, do you not agree?”

“I believe I do,” Eli answered with a smug smirk, knowing that Richard’s sudden need for boxing might have something to do with the romantic feelings he was ignoring and denying every chance he got.

CHAPTER 7

Several days had passed since the Mulford’s ball, where Selina had shared that heated interlude with the Duke and he had followed her to modiste for fittings for a new dress.

No matter what she did, she could not shake the notion that the Duke would make a wonderful husband, given how caring, handsome, and intense he was. Not that she had any hope of him looking her way. He had a better chance of making good matches with girls fresh out of the schoolroom who sighed over his good looks and worshipped the ground he walked on.

For the better part of a week, she had trouble going about her usual tasks. Her mind seemed to be fixated on Richard—his good looks; his deep voice; his actions, which confused and confounded her. One minute he was teasing her, seducing her like he was interested in her, the next he was avoiding her like the plague, preferring to walk in the chilly weather rather than share a carriage with her.

Even now, lying in bed, she finally admitted that she had not approached him alone in the library simply to discuss the deficiency of her wardrobe. It would have been easy to solve the matter. She could have simply gone to the modiste and requested that they determine which colors suited her best.

Instead, she had made the excuse to see him, deluding herself to the point that she felt he was the best person to help her purchase dresses and she had to meet him urgently—even better if he was alone.

But when she had stood with her back flush against the wall, his arms bracketing her and caging her in, she finally admitted the truth—that she was so drawn to the Duke that she wanted to be in his presence always, that she loved watching expressions play across his too-handsome face and listening to that deep voice of his that sparked fire in her nerve endings.

At that moment, when she had stood in his arms, she had wanted nothing more than his kiss. To have the perfect arch of his lips pressed against hers. It nearly happened, judging by the fire that burned in his eyes. But the moment before their lips could touch, he had withdrawn, seeming to realize who she was. She had felt disappointment and embarrassment so acute that she had wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

The moment they almost kissed had remained, playing in an endless loop in her head since that day and haunting her dreams until she woke up frustrated and aroused.

The Duke of Seymour seemed to have taken up residence in her head without her consent, and it was all shades of annoying.

“My Lady?” Betsy called, poking her head around the door. She pushed it open further when she noted that Selina was back. “There is a delivery for you from the modiste. Your dresses have arrived, My Lady,” she said with a bright smile.

“Really?” Selina asked, sitting up.

She slid out of bed and pulled a wrap over her dress just as the door opened and footmen brought in several boxes, each tied elegantly with an emerald-green ribbon.

---