Page 52 of A Duke for Hire

“Seems the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

“Tree?” Someone scoffed. “More like a poisonous plant. What has become of our noble society?”

It had only been minutes ago that she and Hugo had been caught, but word of what had been witnessed was already spreading like wildfire through the entirety of the party; somehow moving faster than Seraphina’s and her mother’s own feet. By the time they reached the first floor, everyone was gossiping as heads swiveled to catch view of the two fleeing women.

By the time they reached the terrace outside, Seraphina’s shock had begun to wear off, and it was quickly replaced with fear.

“Mama, please,” she begged, “I did not mean to-”

Seraphina’s words were cut off by a resounding slap across her face. Pain scattered over her cheek as her mother struck her withgreat force, and a ringing began in her ears. She staggered at the assault, her hand quickly going to burning flesh.

“Not another word, not anothermovement,”Mary threatened, her face contorted with rage.

“Here? With your intended downstairs? With your father in attendance?With him”

“Do you have any idea what you have just done?” Mary shrieked, her face turning red. “No one will want you now! No one!”

Although her cheek still flared with pain, Seraphina let her hand fall to her side as she felt her own anger start to surface.

“Hugo wants me, Mama,” she argued, “And I want him too. I may have not at first, but we understand each other. I prefer his company over the Earl of Repington’s.”

Mary laughed cruelly as she shook her head.

“You love-addled fool,” she sneered.

“No Mama, that was you! You were the one who went after a married man above your station; throwing not just your fate but mine to the mercy of these gossiping monsters!”

“I will slap you within an inch of your life if you speak to me like that again!” Mary threatened, drawing her arm back as if to startthere and then. “Don’t you see what a poor bet you have made with this man? You truly think he will be enough? You think the others will accept you into high society with him as your husband? You think he will truly take care of you? Take care of us?”

“You meanyou,Mama,” Seraphina retorted, tired of pretending otherwise. “This has always been about you! Will thetonaccept you? Will my future husband take care ofyou?Papa’s wife has been gone over two years now and hestillhasn’t married you, so now you are looking for a husband for me that will not just take care of me, but you! Well I am tired of it! It is time you live with your mistakes and allow me to have a life of my own!”

Mary reared her hand back again, but before she could deliver another blow, Hugo’s hand snapped around her wrist and held it back. Mary and Seraphina both looked at him in shock, not realizing that he had joined them.

“I suggest you not lay another hand on my future wife,” he snarled, his voice threateningly low and deep.

Seraphina’s eyes widened as she looked at Hugo. She had seen him frustrated, but not like this. His eyes were narrowed toward her mother with menacing rage, his teeth bared and gritted as if he were an animal ready to clench his jaws around her and rip her to shreds.

Mary looked taken aback for a moment, then smiled wickedly as she stepped toward him, her hand still caught in his grip.

“Or what, you beast? You’ll shoot me? You’ll tear me apart like your other victims?” she hissed. “Go ahead. Maybe my daughter will finally understand whateveryonehas been trying to tell her.”

“Mama, stop!” Seraphina snapped.

Hugo gave Mary a disgusted look, but he thrust her hand back down, and stepped to Seraphina’s side.

“You have no idea who I truly am, Ms. Kinderson,” he replied roughly. “But I will say for your sake that you are lucky the rumors are not true. Seraphina is right, though. She and I understand one another, and I am certainly not going to leave her to these wolves. This is not how I hoped our courtship would go, but she and Iwillbe married now.”

Seraphina felt strangely warm. As if a soft blanket of protection had wrapped around her shoulders. Hugo moved from behind Mary to stand in front of Seraphina, blocking her view, his eyes suddenly gentle as he examined her face. She had spoken with hope before, but now knowing that he truly would marry her was a great comfort, despite the embarrassment they were now consumed with.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, acting as if Mary was no longer there.

Slowly, as if not to alarm her, he reached up to brush a thumb over her swollen, red cheek. She winced slightly, but shook her head.

“Not very,” she promised.

“I am sorry I did not get here in time to prevent the first blow,” he apologized, then his gaze hardened as he turned his gaze back to Mary.

“But there will certainly not be another. You will leave us, Mrs. Kinderson,” he demanded. “I need a moment alone with Seraphina, and I suspect you have some packing to do. I am sure none of us are still welcome to spend the weekend here.”

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