Page 73 of A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke

They had used him for the better part of his existence. He knew the pain of that rejection, and he knew that he was not capable of subjecting anyone to it, no matter what. He had let them win for years. He had let them prevent him from experiencing true joy, only doing things by the book. It was time to take his life into his own hands and refuse to let their mistakes stop him from experiencing the rare form of love and joy he felt in Selina’s arms.

He had to go to her, grovel, and win her back before she married another man and was lost to him forever.

Standing upright, his eyes shining with determination, he retrieved his coat and walked to the door. Just as he opened it, he spotted his mother trying to gain entrance.

“What do you want?” he asked as he donned his coat, before closing the door behind him and locking it. He headed towards the entrance, forcing her to hurry after him.

“I forgot to tell you that I found the perfect girl for you to marry.”

He ignored her and kept walking.

“Did you hear what I said?” she asked in an annoyed tone, causing him to stop at the door.

“Yes, I did, Mother,” he said, turning to flash her a bright smile. “I am going to propose to that perfect girl.”

He turned back and nodded at the butler, who opened the door, and he stepped outside.

“But you do not know who I speak of,” Johanna called after him.

Richard was not listening.

CHAPTER 26

All Selina wanted was the opportunity to return upstairs so she could curl up in her bed, nurse her aching heart, and reserve some of the energy of which she had very little. But alas, that was not to be, as Martha had woken her early in the morning, ordering her to have her bath and be ready to receive guests in the drawing room.

Selina tried everything, feigning a headache and a multitude of other ailments—anything to remain in her bedroom—but her aunt refused. She was positive that Peter would visit early in the morning to propose.

The idea that the Earl was so eager to ask for her hand that he would not take a day to recover from the long house party they had just returned from was ridiculous.

She had certainly been resting since they had returned the day before, requesting privacy. Diana had visited, doing her best to cheer her up, but her attempts did not yield any good results, so she left her to rest.

A distant part of Selina felt guilty for not even trying to enjoy her sister’s presence, but she was too emotionally exhausted to feel anything. She would have said she was numb, but the pain in her chest proved otherwise.

She knew the moment when Stephen returned with his Duchess. The household became busy, and she could hear the cheers of welcome that indicated their return, but she could not bring herself to go downstairs. She loved her brother and his beautiful wife, but perhaps it was better she did not show her face so as not to put a dampener on their happiness with her gloominess.

She knew they would come to check on her, so when she heard their voices outside the door, she immediately closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. She heard the door open before clicking shut. She guessed that Elizabeth had peered in. She recognized her unique, exotic scent.

Perhaps she should have exchanged greetings with her. After all, they were now friends as well as sisters, but that would require her to explain why she did not come downstairs to welcome them, and knowing her friend’s nature, she was sure to notice her mood and make sure to wheedle information out of her. She did not think she was ready to talk about Richard and everything that had happened. Not yet.

Were it not for Martha insisting that she come downstairs, she would have remained in her bed, especially when she was not certain that Peter would visit.

But true to her aunt’s hope, Peter did come. He looked dashing in his gold embroidered jacket and waistcoat. The color was a perfect foil for his golden looks. He was excellently groomed as usual, yet she felt nothing other than a fleeting admiration for a good-looking man.

“Good morning,” he greeted with his charming smile, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on it. “You look ravishing, as always,” he complimented.

“Thank you, My Lord,” she replied, fully convinced that he was lying.

She had woken up with a swollen face from all her crying, and even though her maid had managed to conceal the puffiness of her eyes with some well-placed powder, she was aware that she did not look her best. Peter was simply being a gentleman.

When he offered her a bouquet of roses, she accepted it gracefully, forcing a smile on her lips, but she guessed it didn’t appear as good as she had expected it to be because he furrowed his brow in concern.

He seemed ready to ask her questions but was interrupted by the arrival of her family. Someone must have informed them of his presence because everyone came down, including Stephen and his pregnant wife.

She would have thought that they would be resting from their journey, but she was sure that news of a suitor coming to ask for her hand was too sweet to resist.

“Good morning, Your Graces,” Peter greeted, accepting Stephen’s handshake and bowing to the Duchess before placing a kiss on her hand. “You were notably absent at the house party, but I understand you went on a trip with your beautiful wife. I hope the journey was enjoyable and safe?”

“It was splendid, thank you, Lord…?” Elizabeth trailed off with a smile.

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