Page 46 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

“Even then.”

“You are an honorable man, Your Grace.”

“And you have been a pleasing companion,” he told her, turning to the door. “I wish you happiness.”

She scoffed.

“Do you not want a home of your own?” he asked, turning back to her, his hand still on the doorknob.

She stilled, her hands clenching into tight fists.

He knew her father had abused her mother and then sold her as a child to pay off his debts to a man who had been no kinder to her. When she had matured and he noticed her beauty and her talent for singing, he sold her again to the owner of the theatre.

Richard had bought her contract and freed her the moment he had approached her. He helped her find her siblings. She had been grateful and showed him her appreciation with a night of pleasure that had kept him abed for two days but had never sought more than what she was given.

“I do not think I do,” she answered firmly. “I know I will not be young forever, but if I can save enough to take care of my siblings and myself before I am discarded for a younger beauty, then I will be content.”

He gave her an understanding smile.

“I wish you success in your endeavors,” he told her.

“And I hope you’ll tell your lady how you truly feel.”

He scoffed, before leaving without another word. He headed to his townhouse, startling his staff due to his unexpected arrival. The night hadn’t gone as he had hoped, and still, he worried that he had started an all too dangerous game with Selina.

He would help her, as he had promised, to secure a match that would make her happy, and after that, he would ensure that he maintained a healthy distance from her even if it hurt him.

But until then, he would permit himself to enjoy the memory of her sweet taste on his tongue and the feel of her perfect thighs in his hands.

CHAPTER 15

Midnight resolutions always felt possible and invigorating until the day broke and one was faced with the situation in question and the reality that some things were easier said than done. Richard quickly realized that. The burning sensation in his chest was rapidly spreading until he was sure that he would eventually burst into flames.

That feeling, he suspected, had something to do with Selina and how beautiful, irresistible, and unattainable she looked in the daylight, dressed in a golden day dress that accentuated her olive skin. That, in combination with her dark locks, made her look like a ball of bright light. A light that was threatening to burn him to cinders.

She was seated on a pony, the filly dancing close to the bored-looking stallion owned by Lord Sanderson. The stallion ignored the eager, friendly filly while his rider smiled adoringly at Selina as they conversed.

The dratted man must have said something funny because she threw her head back and laughed, exposing the smooth, glowing skin of her neck. Skin that he had tasted, licked, and savored only yesterday while she writhed in his arms. He knew how she smelled there, her floral perfume potent, warmed by the heat of her body.

Her scent was addictive. Even now, he could swear that he smelled it, even though her horse was far away from his.

As he watched, Sanderson bent his head to whisper something in her ear, and the fire within him raged so strongly that he was surprised there were no singe marks on his body.

Sanderson stood so close to her that Richard was sure the man could smell her scent. Did she not know better than to allow men so close to her? But perhaps Sanderson’s dark, handsome looks were enough for her to overlook some parts of her etiquette lessons.

Richard was tempted to ride over there and remind them to focus on their trail and ride instead of providing fodder for the tireless gossip mill that powered most of the ton’s conversations.

The only thing that kept him sitting firmly on his restive stallion, Specter, was the fact that he had promised to find her a suitor, and Sanderson, despite his faults, was an eligible one, free from scandals as far as he knew.

He would make a fine husband for any lady he decided to marry, even though Richard was having a difficult time accepting the image of the two of them exchanging vows at the altar.

He was also struggling with imagining the dratted man being granted leave to touch her as he pleased. To sip from her sweet mouth and learn the curves of her body with his fingers. To fall asleep while inhaling her sweet scent. The thought added a dull ache to the burning sensation in his chest until he was positive he was coming down with some mysterious illness.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the torturous thought, he pulled at the reins, guiding Specter to a less populated part of the trail and allowing him to gallop freely.

The stallion seemed happy to be allowed this freedom after being cooped up inside the stables for several days. However, several minutes of galloping brought Richard no peace. Even as he panted for breath, his mind was insistent on bombarding him with images of Selina until he was positive she was engraved under his eyelids.

When it seemed that the physical exertion would not bring calm to his chaotic mind, he decided it was time he returned to the house to avoid harming himself and his prized stallion due to his distracted thoughts.

---