Page 19 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

She did not know who moved first, but in the next moment, their faces were almost touching, their lips separated merely by a sliver of air.

At that moment, Selina desperately wanted him to kiss her. She desperately wanted to know what it felt like to have thosetempting lips moving over hers. Perhaps he was way above her station, but he could give her this. A memory to hold onto in the dark, lonely nights she was sure to endure in the future.

Just when she was sure he would slant his lips over hers and whisk her away from her misery, he withdrew.

“My apologies, My Lady,” he muttered, striding away quickly as if the devil was on his trail, leaving Selina standing in the middle of the library confused, frustrated, and more than a little angry.

Richard walked away, and kept walking until he was out of the house, taking deep breaths in the hope that it might cool his overheated body. For some reason, whenever he was in the presence of Selina, he lost control, saying and doing things he would never have contemplated ordinarily.

He could not believe that he had implied that she would do better to consider him as a suitor. He could not believe that he had said that, but the thought might not have been that unrealistic, especially considering the hot flares of jealousy that had plagued him during these last events. He had watched her being wined and dined by other gentlemen, knowing very well that they would not make a good spouse for her.

When he had started having such thoughts, he should have done the reasonable thing—staying away from the source of his jealousy and avoiding events she was likely to attend. However, it seemed he had developed a liking for torture that made himattend these events and watch her being fawned over by her suitors.

Soon enough, he could take it no longer. He decided to step away and go to a quiet corner of the house before he gave in to the urge to approach her. He wanted to tell her suitors off, especially the ones that were lecherous enough to glance down her bodice.

It seemed, however, that his peace was not to be because she followed him to complain about green dresses and lack thereof.

He doubted she had approached him simply to talk about her wardrobe. He believed she was not completely unaware of the sensual tension between them. He believed it was that attraction that was drawing her to him. Today, he realized that he had an unhealthy attraction to seeing Selina in the throes of some strong emotion, whether it was anger or desire.

He had loved it so much that he had not realized he was taking the bait. Soon, he was burning with those volatile emotions and had almost kissed her. It had taken him superhuman strength to drag himself away from the glittering, pink temptation of her lips.

Somehow, he knew that if he touched her, it was not going to end in a kiss. It would go on, progressing until they brought it to its natural conclusion and he’d made love to her.

No matter what, he was never going to dishonor her in that manner.

Standing in the middle of the clearing, he scanned the sea of noblemen who were wining and dining. Eventually, he spotted Eli, the host. He was standing on the bank of the river, deep in conversation with two other gentlemen.

Sensing his approach, Eli looked up, and their gazes met. Something on Richard’s face might have indicated that all was not well with him because Eli excused himself from the gentlemen and approached him.

“You look hassled,” Eli said with a teasing smile. “Do not tell me you were hiding from the ambitious mamas and their debutante daughters?”

“Far from it,” Richard replied ruefully. “I think they might have set their eyes elsewhere for the moment. I have a lot on my mind. Do you fancy a walk to town?”

“Why would you want to do that when you have a carriage, especially in this chilly weather?” Eli asked, an incredulous look on his face.

“It is primarily because it is chilly that I wish to take a walk.”

Eli stared at him. He was perplexed for a moment, but when he eventually realized the possible cause of such a proclamation, he nodded. However, he made no effort to ask him about it, and for that, Richard was immensely grateful.

CHAPTER 6

“My Lady,” Richard greeted when they came across Selina trying to leave the luncheon with her maid in tow. “It seems you are leaving. Might I interest you in a trip to town? This might be a good chance to acquire the dresses you require.”

She seemed surprised and a little discomfited by the offer. She accepted the proffered hand of the footman to board the carriage.

Once she was seated comfortably, she replied, “I thank you for the offer, Your Grace. However, I do not think you need to go to the trouble.”

“It is no trouble,” Richard said. “Besides, you asked for my aid in choosing beautiful dresses, and I intend to keep my promise.”

“If you insist. Perhaps you might join us in the carriage,” she said, gesturing to the seat across from her.

“I thank you for the offer, My Lady, but I would prefer to walk.”

“In this chilly weather?” she asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.

“The weather is precisely why I want to walk. It is… bracing…” he trailed off.

Ignoring her concerned gaze, he stared off into the distance. He had to let her stew in her confusion because there was no way he was going to tell her the reason for his newfound masochism. Even now, as he stood in her presence, he could feel the stirrings of desire.

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