Page 18 of A Duke for Hire

Mary let out a sigh of relief, and patted her daughter’s leg.

“Good girl. Now, I think you were right earlier. It is growing too late for you to receive suitors,” she told her, getting up.

“Also,” she said, heading toward the door. “You will be on your own for dinner this evening. Your father has sent an invitation so I shall be out all evening.”

Seraphina’s mood withered into pure dismay. She had been right.

“Papa is calling on you again?”

Mary smirked as she turned to give her daughter a final look.

“I believe we are headed toward a reunion of sorts.”

You are headed toward disaster,Seraphina thought silently. Again.

Her mind reeled with the hypocrisy of it all, and she sighed and stood up as she was left alone. For a moment she simply walked around the room, admiring the many bouquets she had received over the past couple of days. She stopped and blushed, though, when she saw the pretty box of chocolates Hugo had brought her.

Casting a wary look toward the door to make sure she was still alone, Seraphina then removed the lid and reached inside. Picking up one of the chocolate flowers, she slipped it between her lips, and closed her eyes at the delicious taste as it melted almost instantly on her tongue.

Images of the soft way Hugo’s fingers had stroked over her chin and throat suddenly flashed through her mind, and with a gasp, she put down the box, and hurried out of the room.

“Hugo, I heard the news!” Leah gushed, rushing into his study.

Hugo looked up from the new paperwork Tristan had drawn up for their new venture, his brow raised in alarm.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, then balked at his tone. It was harsher than he intended.

Hurt rippled across his little sister’s face, but only for a moment. He wondered how she could even stand to be around him after what she’d seen him do. Hugo took a minute to gather himself, then asked again in a softer tone, “I mean, what brought you to London without a letter first? Is everything all right?”

Leah’s smile was warm, a touch of pity just barely gracing it.

“I am fine,” she assured him softly, “Everyone is fine. Aunt Rita sends her regards. I am here because my friends here have written me the good news.”

“And what news is that?” He asked.

“That you are courting a Miss Seraphina Kinderson.”

Hugo dropped his pen at the information.

“And who, pray tell, told you that?” He asked, ignoring her questions.

“Oh, it is all the chatter,” Leah explained readily. Now that their awkward reunion had passed, she was practically radiating with excitement.

“She has had a long line of suitors as of late, and it is said that you were among them,” Leah went on, “Tell me, what did you bring her? Flowers? Jewelry? Oh, did you read her a poem? I am told London ladies adore being read a love poem.”

“Chocolates,” he gritted out, then closed his eyes as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Of course word had gotten out. The eyes of thetonwere like that of hawks. Especially when it came to him. He should have known better than to think he could do anything without causing a scene.

“Oh, brother,” Leah sighed dramatically, “That is so precious!”

“Leah,” he sighed, “I am delighted by your need to check on me but it is most unneeded. Go back to the country, please.”

“No,” she answered stubbornly, inspecting her nails. “I am here to lend support.”

“I have done just fine without it,” he chuckled dryly. “What support could you possibly give?”

“You know nothing of women,” Leah replied with a shrug. “My perspective can assist you in wooing this young lady, perhaps help you avoid certain stumbles.”

She put both hands on her desk and looked at him square on.

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