Page 48 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden noise around him as the early morning riders returned, the sound of neighing horses and chattering voices breaking the relative quiet in front of the house.

His eyes were immediately drawn to a particular couple as they guided their horses towards the stables. A stable hand came to meet them halfway, offering to lead their horses to the stables.

Richard watched as Sanderson jumped down with athletic ease, obviously meant to impress Selina. The man tossed the reins to the stable hand before moving towards Selina. He raised his arms when he stood beside her filly and wrapped them around her waist to help her down. His hands lingered far too long on her waist even though she now stood on her own two feet.

The flirtatious smile she gave him as she thanked him roused the banked fire in Richard’s chest. He wanted so badly to spring up from his seat, rush over to where the couple stood, and slap the satisfied smirk off Sanderson’s face.

The impulsive thought stopped him short. Slowly, he realized that the emotion that had been riding him whenever he saw Selina with Sanderson was none other than jealousy.

It had felt foreign, as he had never felt this way before, even when his former paramours decided to move on. He had always been coolheaded and pragmatic, wishing them the best in their future endeavors. But with Selina, it felt different. Just the sight of another man’s hand on her waist drove him close to insanity,and not for the first time, he wondered how he would survive when she inevitably married another man.

Selina was having a great time.

Peter Wilford, the Earl of Sanderson, seemed to have taken a liking to her, slowing his horse down and striking up a conversation with her. The man was witty, mischievous, and intelligent.

In him, she saw a male version of herself. Their conversation flowed, jumping from topic to topic with the seamless ease of a well-choreographed dance.

They talked about horses. She had admired his stallion, and he had informed her that Thanos, his prized horse, was a thoroughbred that participated in races. Selina had been thoroughly impressed, and from there, their conversation moved to breeds of horses, before finding its way to horticulture, then politics and Society in general.

Evidently, Peter was an excellent conversationalist, and several times during their exchange, she wished there were more men like him in the ton. Perhaps she might have enjoyed attending social events, and she might have even been married by now. It was unfortunate that most noblemen were empty-headed idiots who were so confident in their self-importance that they did not see any need for improvement.

While she had thoroughly enjoyed her conversation with Peter, she was acutely aware of Richard’s hot gaze on her, so much so that she half expected to find burn marks on the exposed skin of her neck. It was hot and not a little discomfiting.

His gaze brought to mind dark corners and the naughty things he did with his mouth and fingers. She was so distracted that it was a miracle she had managed to keep the conversation going, but Peter had been speaking so passionately about his horse that he had not noticed the non-committal sounds she made.

She knew when Richard left because she could no longer feel the heat of his gaze. When her eyes searched for him, she found him galloping down the trail like a man possessed. She immediately felt alone, the atmosphere turning empty.

For the rest of her conversation with Peter, she offered weak smiles while her mind remained preoccupied, wondering why Richard had left so dramatically.

In a little over thirty minutes, she begged Peter to return, stating that she needed to use the ladies’ retiring room. That excuse was not necessarily true, but she honestly feared that the corners of her lips would tear if she smiled any longer. She realized that she was rapidly growing an attachment to Richard that prevented her from enjoying social events without his brooding presence nearby.

Peter was the perfect gentleman throughout, guiding her horse gently as they returned while asking about her well-being from time to time. The man was a sweet angel. If she could feel for hima bit of the attraction she felt for Richard, all would be well, and he might just become a good marriage candidate.

When he helped her dismount her horse, she admired his athletic grace while she felt that burning sensation on the back of her neck. Richard was watching, and somehow, she did not think he was pleased.

Focusing on Peter, she thanked him for his help.

“I had an amazing time with you, My Lord. Thanks for the company. I look forward to spending time with you on another occasion.”

“I should be the one thanking you, My Lady,” he said, lifting her hand to place a kiss on it. “You are not only beautiful but also intelligent in a way that is quite rare in polite society. You make exquisite company. Please allow me to take you on a drive sometime soon. I truly enjoyed your company.”

“Of course, My Lord,” she replied with a smile “Perhaps I might get to see Thanos again.”

“I am sure he would love that,” he said, chuckling. “I think he would love it more if you bring your filly along as well. I believe he has developed a liking for her,” he added in a mischievous whisper, leaning forward such that a dark lock fell over his eye.

Not for the first time, Selina was hit by his attractiveness even though it was only interest and nothing like the helpless desire she felt for Richard.

His assessment of his stallion might better explain why. Thanos kept coming closer while the filly shied away at first. She soon started sidling up to the stallion, forcing Peter to retain rigid control of the reins to keep them moving along the path.

“I will try to bring her along,” Selina said with a short laugh.

“Excellent,” he said with a smile that revealed straight white dentition. “Good day, My Lady.” He bowed before stepping away, his movements lithe and graceful like a panther.

By all means, he was a very attractive man who also appeared to match her intellectually, and he seemed to be a good person overall. If only he could make her feel half the way Richard did with just a glance.

Even now, she could still feel his gaze on her. As she turned to him, she was distracted by her aunt Martha stepping towards her, effectively blocking her field of vision.

“Well done, Selina,” Martha said, her face wreathed in bright smiles. “You might get married soon, especially since you have managed to catch the eye of the Earl of Sanderson!”

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