Page 14 of His Ruined Duchess

“Why, Your Grace? Would you at least be gracious enough to explain why you are insucha hurry to see us all married off?”

He had to pull himself away, create space between them, so Hugh tilted back his head, swallowing the last of his whiskey and walking to the bottle once more to refresh his cup. He had quitethe tolerance, so he was not concerned about making a fool of himself because of a bit of the drink.

No, it was Selina who threatened his ego tonight.

Once the glass was refilled, he turned his attention to Myra and Lydia, trading stern glances between the two younger sisters.

“Do you intend to marry someday?” The question was clearly posed to each of them, and Hugh crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the response. “Speak earnestly.”

Lydia perked up in her seat, eyeing him hopefully. “Of course, Your Grace. I have been looking forward to it. It is expected of me as well.”

Hugh focused on Myra, and he already knew what the girl likely felt about the entire business of marriage. But he was keen on hearing what she might say.

“I-I will get married as it is expected of me as well. But…” Her courage took some mustering, but Myra met Hugh’s stare once again. “…should it not occur, I would not be overly dismayed.”

That I believe is an extraordinary understatement.

“I should think, then,” Hugh began, idly sipping at his whiskey to keep himself from glancing Selina’s way, “that you might both be grateful that I would arrange it as soon as possible. It wouldallow you to live freely with your husband, instead of feeling pinned down living under the mercy of my estate.”

And protected from the reputation of a rumored rake.

Selina stamped her foot, forcing his attention to her, and he glared, unable to keep the frustration from his features.

“You cannot just force them out into the world and rush a match purely because you wish to rid the estate of my family. This was the home of my late husband, and I am his widow.Theyare my family. They have arightto be here.”

The woman was far too gorgeous when she was upset, and Hugh felt his blood stir, beckoning him toward her like some madman. Selina’s very presence was intoxicating, and he knew precisely what he was like when his desires blazed like this.

He kept his dalliances to those that would not do significant harm, and they were few and far between though rumors might suggest the contrary. Selina could not be brought into his life that way. He needed to remain detached and keep a strong distance from her.

And the Duke had no issue with marrying Selina off to keep him from seizing her for himself.

“You might want to focus on finding yourself a match instead of arguing with me, Selina.” Hugh could feel every set of eyes in the room staring at him, drilling into him from every angle. “Yourdebut has, of course, come and gone. As such, you will have until the end of the Season to find a suitable husband. I have been more than generous with my timeline. Use what you have wisely.”

Selina balked, her eyes the size of tea saucers. “That is a month away.”

“Better work with haste then, Selina. Your clock is ticking.”

Chapter Six

“I’m so glad that I was able to call on you for a promenade through the park. It has been too long.”

Charlotte smiled at Selina, her sister-in-law Rose right alongside her. Though the Dowager was still reeling from the ultimatum given to her by the Duke, Selina was indeed happy to be among her friends. It was precisely what she needed, in fact, and the fresh air was lovely.

“It has indeed. It’s lovely to see you both.” Selina smiled down at Charlotte’s abdomen, the gentle bump only just visible beneath the layers of her skirt. “Or shall I say the three of you?”

The women laughed as they strolled through the expansive park. Charlotte loved this one in particular, and the walking trails were expertly maintained. Selina sighed as their conversation came to a natural pause, casting a glance around at the trees and greenery around them. It was peaceful here, and if shetried diligently, Selina could almost forget about the tremendous pressure on her shoulders.

“Oh, I must sit. It is becoming more and more difficult to walk for an extended period. It feels as if my lungs cannot fully expand now.”

Selina and Rose led Charlotte to a bench, helping her sit before taking their places on either side of her. There was a twinge of something odd within her as Selina fawned over Charlotte’s pregnancy. While she had not given much thought to becoming a mother in the past, that was no longer the case.

A looming deadline hung in the balance, and if she wed again, there was no promise that the man would be elderly or leave her unclaimed. In fact, it was very likely that a new husband would be young and virile, looking to carry on the family name by producing an heir. Selina did not know if she wanted that. It had never been in the cards before, and now… she had to admit that the prospect of finally losing her virginity actually frightened her.

“So then, Selina,” Charlotte began, pulling the Dowager out of her thoughts, “how is this new Duke of yours?”

She scoffed. “He is hardlymine. The Duke is…”

Selina hesitated to speak poorly about the man in such a public place, and she spied around them, searching for anyone who might overhear their conversation. When she deemed the areasuitably empty, Selina leaned in a bit closer to Charlotte and Rose.

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