Page 43 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

Selina couldn’t contain her laughter, even though the Duke didn’t share her amusement.

“I am sorry to have dragged you away from your delightful conversation,” she joked. “I am sure you would much rather be there than escort me back to the house.”

He snorted, taking her arm. “Your wit hasn’t dulled just yet,” he said with a small smile.

“Why should it?” she asked. “I haven’t had any life-changing incidents.”

He snorted again and kept silent for the rest of their walk back to the house. She patted her hair and tugged at her dress when they neared the door, refraining from grimacing when they stepped into the drawing room.

“Why do you look so tired, dear?” Martha asked as soon as they stepped inside.

Two pairs of eyes swiveled to them but then quickly turned away. She knew their conversation would be anything but private, and she had to make a good excuse, or tongues would start wagging.

“The Duke exercised me more than I expected,” she said with a small smile. “He challenged me to a race with a very nice wager, and you know I can’t resist such a challenge.”

Laughter erupted around the room, proving that they were listening.

“Your Grace, you shouldn’t have,” her aunt scolded playfully. “My niece looks a fright. Go to your room at once, Selina.”

“And what was the wager?” Diana asked with a pointed smirk.

“That is between me and the Duke, and I have yet to decide,” Selina answered with a smile. “I will see you at dinner. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Your Grace.”

She curtsied and winked at the Duke, who still had a stoic expression on his face.

A frown crossed her face as she wondered whether he was already regretting what had happened between them. She pushed the thought out of her mind and returned to her chambers, deciding that they would discuss it after she had a much-needed nap.

CHAPTER 14

“The Duke exercised me more than I expected. He challenged me to a race with a very nice wager, and you know I can’t resist such a challenge.”

The lie had come so easily to her that it had surprised Richard because he had yet to recover from what had happened between them. He hadn’t meant to go that far with her, yet as he tasted her lips, he knew he wanted more, and she had been too willing a participant, touching him everywhere he liked to be touched.

He turned to leave the drawing room to brood privately but was stopped by an approaching group of ladies.

“Your Grace,” one of them bravely said. “May we interest you in a game of cards, perchance?”

“I have to decline,” he answered, bowing respectfully. “I need to rest from my stroll.”

“But…”

He walked away before the woman could start whining, retreating to the safety of his chambers. He slammed the door shut with a little more force than he intended, locking it to ensure that no one disturbed him.

“Damn!” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

He should not have gone that far with Selina. And yet he had, all because he couldn’t resist tasting her full, pouty lips, which had begged for his attention since he had first noticed them.

Damn.

She had been smiling when she had retreated to her chambers. He was sure she was already imagining a happily ever after for them, and if he were to refuse, she could very well claim that he had ruined her, and he would be forced into marriage.

It was not as though he was blind to the fact that she harbored feelings for him that she may not be aware of. But now that he had touched her the way he had, he had no doubt reinforced them.

He truly hadn’t meant to go as far as he had, he told himself, trying to rationalize his actions. But her body had been begging for his touch, and she had been more than willing, or else she would have pushed him off her.

He had been teaching her to seduce other men, but he had fallen for her seduction himself, untrained though she was. He had noticed she was a passionate woman from the first time he had seen her in her brother’s home, but he hadn’t expected her to respond as well as she had or taste as sweet as she did.

God.

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