Page 62 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

“I wish you happiness in your search for a match, Lady Selina.” He bowed before he even finished speaking and quickly walked away without so much as a backward glance, not knowing that he was taking a large piece of her heart away with him.

How could he walk away so casually when he, too, was uncomfortable with the decision he was making? Or was he not?

Could she have imagined the look in his eyes?

She felt tears well up in her eyes at the thought that she had imagined she had meant something to him. That she was anything more than a woman he had effectively seduced under the guise of helping her secure a match. That she would never hold his affection enough to secure a match the way Lottie Barnes had.

A lone tear escaped her eye, but she caught it quickly with her kerchief, hoping no one saw it. Feeling more tears threatening to fall, she fanned her face, hoping no one would see her. That would be a scene she didn’t want to cause.

Selina was angry that he had walked away so easily when everything in her wanted to box his ears and tell him that she wasn’t going to let him go so easily.

How could she?

She had never met another gentleman who made her feel so many different emotions in the space of a minute. He infuriated her, excited her, and knew just how to make her laugh. He hadn’t judged her inexperience.

She tried to picture a future with anyone else, but all roads in her mind led back to him. He was all she wanted for a happy future.

He is all I want.

She gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth as she realized that somehow, in their farce, it had become so real that her heart hadprepared a snug place just for him and was stubbornly holding on to it.

Somehow, she had fallen in love with the one person she couldn’t have.

“My Lady, are you alright?” an unfamiliar voice asked.

She didn’t look but merely nodded.

“I am well, thank you,” she said, remembering that it was rude not to answer properly, even though she left out the vital part of looking at the person to whom she was speaking.

She turned quickly, hurrying to the balcony and allowing herself the luxury of weeping, clapping a hand over her mouth to stop the sobs that threatened to escape. She waded deeper into the darkness at the edge of the balcony once she heard voices approaching, not wanting anyone to see her.

“Stop, My Lord.” A feminine voice giggled. “They’ll see us.”

“I do not care,” the masculine voice responded.

She lifted her head to see the two lovers kiss quickly before dashing off into the gardens. A smile crossed her face at the playfulness between the two, and then her tears came again, knowing she might never again experience the sweetness of flirtation the way she had with the Duke.

Why couldn’t he just admit that he liked her?

She knew she was lacking in many ways and might not be able to perform well as a duchess, but she learned quickly and could adapt. She loved him enough to try, so why couldn’t he like her enough to see that?

“My apologies, My Lady. I should not have taken such liberties with you. It is an insult to your person. I shall make sure that it does not happen again… You are an innocent. I should never have seduced you or invited you to spend time alone with me. It was ungentlemanly of me, but I could not help myself. It will not happen again. You have enough knowledge now not to require my help or my lessons. I will step aside now to allow you to pursue happiness.”

His parting words had been apologetic, but they still didn’t dull the sting of separation.

She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. If she intended to escape unscathed, she would have to learn to live in a world without the Duke.

CHAPTER 21

The heart, Selina realized, is the most stubborn organ in the body because it does not listen to logic. It chose someone it wanted, not considering things other than the feelings this special person evoked.

Falling in love was a novel experience for her. Growing up, she could have easily been elected as the most logical young woman of the ton just based on her pragmatic approach to various matters. She had lost a lot of suitors simply because of her chaotic, unapologetic love for logic.

All that disappeared when Richard was involved. He stripped her of her walls as easily as he removed his shirt. He was a fever in her blood, a fever that flared hotter every day, taking away her common sense and inhibitions whenever she was with him.

It seemed like another lifetime when she had judged young couples who were being suspected of anticipating their vows. But falling in love with Richard had made her a little empathic towards them.

She understood now, with the wisdom of a woman, the power of a lover’s touch. How easily it could send inhibitions and common sense flying out the window, leaving one a happy puddle at their lover’s feet.

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