Page 29 of His Ruined Duchess

They sat now in the places indicated, and Selina turned to the topic of conversation at the dinner table. Hugh had beenespecially resistant to tempering his words so far, which meant that now was indeed a test of how much he had learned.

“Your Grace, how are you finding the first course?” Selina asked.

“It is quite delicious, Your Grace.” The Duke did not offer further conversation or inquire about the dish at all.

“This is the part where you continue the conversation, Your Grace. You ask about the meal, the lady’s health, something polite that will show your interest.”

“But I amnotinterested, especially seeing that the lady in question is you, and I am very familiar with the state of your health and thecontentsof this invisible meal.”

Selina’s shoulders drooped a little, and she sighed. “Your Grace, this is part of the practice. If you cannot do it here, how am I to believe you will be capable of honoring the etiquette we have studied during an actual event?”

Hugh grumbled to himself, rolling his eyes before leaning across the table toward her and leveling Selina with an intense gaze.

“This was your idea to ‘practice’ like this. I am not a child, Selina. I am fully capable of remembering the rules and adhering to them.”

His face was very near hers, and it was not the first time that they had accidentally found themselves in close proximity duringthese lessons. Each time it happened, Selina’s brain fumbled, tripping over itself as she fought to keep memories of their kiss at bay.

The way Hugh looked at her now was too potent for her liking, too much like he could see right through her all the way to the buttons on the back of her dress.

Selina’s skin flushed, and of course, the Duke took notice. His eyes roamed over her face for only a second, but it was enough to cause the dark twinkle in his eyes to reappear.

Silence hung over them until Selina could force herself to clear her throat and lean back into her seat.

“Please, Your Grace. Let us just get through this mock conversation, and then we can switch to another topic for consideration.”

He studied her, something about his expression making Selina’s spine tingle. Hugh cocked his head ever so slightly, his lips parting just before the words came out of them.

“And how are you enjoying yourself this evening, Your Grace?” The words were innocent enough, and he was listening to her. Still, Selina knew there was somethingelse,thanks to his tone. “You appear somewhat flushed. Are you well?”

Selina could not stop the slight glare that overtook her expression. She raised her brows just a hair, eyeing Hugh as the muscles in her jaw worked.

“I am very well, thank you, Your Grace. It is simply warm. But howkindof you to inquire about me. And what of your recent introduction into the aristocracy? Are you faring well?”

Hugh’s jaw muscle twitched, and Selina knew that she was treading on a subject he did not enjoy speaking of. When he remained silent, she leaned forward onto her elbow, regarding him with a grin.

“I understand that you would rather discuss something else, Your Grace, but everyone in the ton will ask. It is better to rehearse your answer now.”

Clearing his throat, Hugh sat up straighter in his chair, his eyes never once leaving Selina’s.

“I am learning so much, and I am so very grateful to the Dowager for welcoming me to the estate with open arms. She isveryamenable to my entry as the new Duke of Soulden.” Selina could hear the tease as he spoke of her in the third person as if she were not the one he was conversing with. “I am certain that she will make for an excellent wife to whomever has the fortune of acquiring her hand now that she is looking for a husband following the Duke’s unfortunate passing.”

It took everything she had not to snap at him, but Selina knew that was precisely the reaction the Duke was searching for. Hewished to irritate her into abandoning the etiquette she’d been so insistent on. Hugh would not win this, however. Selina was an expert at schooling herself after years of needing to do just that.

Still, it was his assertion that she would find a new match that dug under her skin the most. Selina had attempted to work out an arrangement with Magnus, and Hugh had butted into their conversation. He was certainly sending mixed messages in that regard, but she would not stoop to that level.

“That is excellent to hear. I do so hope that a fine match is made for both of them.” She mimed using the napkin to tidy her mouth. “This has been a lovely dinner indeed. And we have dancing, of course. Please join us on the floor, Your Grace.”

That made the man blanch, and a thrill of satisfaction rang through Selina’s nerves like a bright chime from a bell.

“Dancing?” Hugh asked, his expression dropping from the presentation of relaxed indifference.

“Indeed. It is a crucial part of any event hosted by the ton and members of the upper class. Certainly, you know how to dance, Your Grace?”

His stare was daggers sent straight through her. “I am aware ofhowto dance, Selina. I just do not see why I must.”

“Ah ah,” she corrected, “it is still ‘Your Grace.’ And I will guide you through it. No need to worry.”

If she could have captured Hugh’s expression at that exact moment, Selina would have it framed and set upon the wall. Disgust and nerves warred for dominance across his features, and Selina chewed the inside of her cheek so that she would not burst into a fit of laughter.

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