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A dark cloud drifted over them, bringing forth a gust of cool wind. As much as Duncan enjoyed holding Selina, they needed to return to Colebourne Manor as soon as possible.
“Love, I am afraid you must awaken.” He pressed a kiss to her head.
“Mmm?” She lifted her drowsy lids at him.
He looked up at the sky. “I am afraid we are about to be rained upon if we do not return soon.”
Selina gasped when a raindrop landed on her cheek. She jumped up and ran over to her footwear, pulling them on quickly. By the time she finished, Duncan had pulled his shirt on, with his cravat hanging out of the pocket of his suit coat he had flung over his shoulder. He held the basket in his other hand.
“My book?” Selina looked around on the ground.
Duncan held up the basket. “I placed it inside for safekeeping.”
Selina nodded, and they took off toward Colebourne Manor. The closer they drew, the more their luck wore thin. So far, only a light drizzle fell, but the sky drew darker, warning them a downpour was inevitable. Duncan slowed his steps for Selina to keep pace with him. The raindrops grew larger, and when Duncan looked behind him, Selina was on his heels with her hair hanging in wet strands. He silently cursed. He must sneak Selina into the manor with no one catching a glimpse of them. Their appearance would draw too many questions.
They were near the long entrance when Duncan heard a carriage behind them. He drew Selina back toward the trees. He thought he had escaped their notice, but the carriage stopped on the road.
The door swung open, and Charlie shouted over the thunder, “Are you mad for taking a walk in this weather?”
Duncan swung Selina up into his arms and carried her over to the carriage. He leaned in and plunked her down on the empty seat. “We were trying to return before the storm hit.”
Duncan climbed into the carriage and sat next to Selina. He looked her way, but she avoided his gaze, trying to put a safe distance between them. He sighed and sat back in his seat. When he met Charlie’s gaze, she raised her brows in question before she snickered her delight at catching him and Selina alone. Sinclair shook his head at his wife. Nobody said a word until the carriage drew up before the steps.
Before the servant reached the door, Sinclair nodded toward Duncan’s coat and tipped his head toward Selina. “Perhaps you should lend Lady Selina your coat before we go inside.”
Duncan looked over to see his muddy handprints on Selina’s gown. He closed his eyes and cringed. “I am sorry for damaging your garment.”
Selina looked down and blushed at her muddy dress. She pulled his coat around her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Charlie sat forward and buttoned the coat around Selina. Her nemesis took such glee in Selina’s demise. She feared the reaction they would receive when they entered the manor. Selina hoped their arrival went unnoticed. The gentleman disembarked from the carriage and helped the ladies to the ground.
Selina’s gaze met Duncan’s when she tried to pull her hand from his, but he held on. The turbulent emotions—regret, sorrow, but, most of all, passion still denied in his gaze—struck her. When Sinclair cleared his throat, Duncan released her hand and stepped away, no longer meeting her gaze. Selina fell in step next to Charlie as they climbed the stairs and entered the manor, with the gentlemen falling behind them.
Lady Forrester met them with worried excitement. She rushed forward, giving orders to the servants to ready warm baths for Selina and Duncan.
“Oh, you poor dears. Caught in the storm, were you?” Lady Forrester tried to usher Selina toward the stairs.
However, Selina’s father’s demands kept her still. “Where were you, Selina? And why were you gallivanting around with Forrester when Gray needed your attention?”
“I was ... That is ...” Selina stuttered out.
“Speak as a lady, not as a village simpleton.” Norbury scowled.
“The rain caught...” Selina began.
Charlie interrupted Selina before she delivered an explanation. “I am afraid I am to blame for Selina’s disheveled appearance.”
Norbury narrowed his gaze. “How so?”
“I invited Selina for a visit this morning.”
Norbury pointed at Selina. “That does not explain why she wears Forrester’s coat.”
Charlie smiled, tilting her head to the side while she continued with her explanation. “Lord Forrester had paid a call on my husband this morning to discuss horseflesh. While we were enjoying tea outdoors, Jasper’s mother needed my attention. Before I could return to Selina, the rain fell. Selina rushed to hurry, but slipped on the terrace.”
Sinclair slapped Duncan on the back. “Duncan heard Selina’s cries and came to her rescue. He ushered her inside and offered his coat for warmth. However, it was not before the rain drenched her. We are only happy Selina suffered no harm from her mishap.”
“Oh, what a horrible morning for you, Selina dear. Let me help you to your bedchamber.” Lady Forrester wrapped her arm around Selina’s waist and guided her away before her father found any flaws in the Sinclairs’ fabricated story.
However, before they climbed the stairs, her father halted them. “Selina?”
They turned toward him. “Yes, Father?”
His gaze remained narrow, not quite believing the story he was told. “Until you wed Gray, I think it would be best if you remain close to the manor.”
Selina nodded. “Yes, Father.”
When the Duke of Norbury issued his demand to Selina, he stalked away, not sparing Duncan a single glance. He breathed a sigh of relief. If Norbury had peered at Duncan, he would have noticed the dire state of his clothing.
Duncan watched his mother guide Selina to her bedchamber. Selina’s expression of shock stood out on her features. He tried to keep a calm appearance, but Charlie shocked him too. He thought Charlie would seek her vengeance against Selina, but instead, she’d made excuses for her absence. Duncan stayed silent, trying not to draw attention to himself and his clothing.
Once the foyer cleared, he turned to Charlie and Sinclair. Charlie burst out laughing at his predicament. Sinclair bit back a smile and shrugged at Duncan.
“Oh, you owe me, Duncan Forrester. I cannot wait to collect.” Charlie rubbed her hands together in glee.
Duncan gritted his teeth. “I do not understand why you covered for Selina. Nor do I want to know. I only wish to thank both of you for not destroying her.”
“I did not do it for you, Forrester, but for Lady Selina. The grievances I held toward the miss are forgotten. Nor does she deserve Norbury’s wrath,” declared Sinclair.
Duncan raised a brow at Charlie. “And you? Do you promise not to seek your revenge at a later time against Selina?”
Charlie smiled mischievously. “My issues with Selina are in the past.”
Duncan didn’t quite believe Charlie’s easy forgiveness for Selina’s past cruelty. This conduct differed from Charlie’s usual behavior. He wondered what her game was and how she would attempt to victimize Selina.
“Why do I hold no trust in your actions?”
Charlie shrugged. “Perhaps because you feel guilty for trifling with Selina and want to direct your guilt toward others.”
Duncan scowled. “I am not trifling with Selina.”
Sinclair placed his hands in between Duncan and Charlie. “Quiet. You can have this discussion later. Anyone could hear this conversation and draw forth more questions. My advice to you, Forrester, is to hurry to your room and change before someone notices your clothing. And you, Lady Sinclair, I believe we are here to visit with your sisters, not to antagonize Forrester.”
Duncan nodded and took Sinclair’s advice, hurrying to his room. When he reached the top of the stairs, he glanced down to see Charlie and Sinclair in a loving embrace. He’d treated Charlie poorly and owed her an apology. He allowed his worry over Selina’s welfare and her father’s treatment set him on edge. Duncan responded to Charlie’s good deed with the resentment he felt toward another person. Thankfully, Sinclair saw reason and ended the discussion before it flew out of control.
He continued to his room, where he found a warm bath courtesy of his mother. Also, the servants had lit a fire and set a tray of food on the nearby table. He hoped Selina received the same comforts.
~~~~~
LADY FORRESTER TURNED Selina and ushered her up the stairs. When they reached the bedchamber, Lady Forrester hurried them inside and closed the door. The older lady bustled around, ordering Selina’s maid to lay out a towel and soap for her bath. She pulled out a robe and placed it on a chair near the bathtub. Then she dismissed the maid for the afternoon, informing her she would assist Selina. After the maid left, Lady Forrester helped Selina undress down to her chemise.
Selina blushed when Lady Forrester held the dress out, and Selina saw the full impact of Duncan’s destruction. His handprints weren’t only covering the front of her gown but also spread across the back.
Lady Forrester smiled kindly at Selina to ease the girl’s worries. “I think I shall see to the cleaning of your dress.”
“I can explain.” Selina twisted her hands in front of her.
Lady Forrester winked. “There is no need, my dear. ‘Tis what happens when you take a fall.”
Selina jumped when someone knocked on the door. Lady Forrester laid the dress across a chair and patted Selina’s hand before opening the door. She took a tray from a maid. After the servant left, Lady Forrester set the tray down and poured Selina a cup of tea. She motioned for Selina to take a seat. After Selina settled, Lady Forrester poured herself a cup.
“I hope we have reassured your father of your absence.”
Selina took a sip. “He will have forgotten by dinner. I am surprised he even noticed my absence.”
Lady Forrester shook her head. “Of all times, Lucas chose today to seek your company.”
Selina crinkled her brows. “Why?”
Lady Forrester shrugged. “I do not know. Only when he could not locate you, he went to your father, inquiring of your whereabouts. He also informed him of how no one had seen you since early this morning.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. Then I spoke with the servants, and Cook explained the basket she put together for you. Colebourne explained your visits to the tenants on his estate, and we guessed your destination. But we must keep our silence since your father does not approve. Then my Ramsay said Duncan followed you, and we knew you were safe. Only somewhere we could not inform your father about. Luck fell on your side when Charlie and Sinclair came upon you two with a believable story.”
Selina did not hear a word Lady Forrester spoke after she said my Ramsay. She looked at Duncan’s mother with confusion. “My Ramsay?”
Lady Forrester’s face lit up. “My husband, dear. He arrived yesterday. However, the lengthy journey tired him, and he did not want anyone to know about his arrival yet. I cannot wait for you to become better acquainted with him. I know he will love you as I do.”
“You love me?” Selina’s confusion only grew while talking with Lady Forrester.
“Of course. Now I will leave you be, so you can take a bath. Then I order you to rest for the remainder of the afternoon. I will keep everyone away until it is time to dress for dinner.”
Lady Forrester rose and bussed Selina’s cheek before she swept out of the bedchamber with Selina’s gown in her arms. Selina let her get away without answering the hundred questions on the tip of her tongue. Lady Forrester had been a whirlwind since she ushered Selina into her bedroom. Not giving her one chance to offer an explanation or to ask questions she needed answers to before dinner. Hopefully, the Sinclairs’ explanation pacified her father, and he wouldn’t question her further.
After slipping off her chemise, Selina stepped into the warm water and emerged herself up to her neck. She closed her eyes and let herself relax, breathing in the soothing scent of lavender before she processed what Lady Forrester discussed. Try as she might, Selina couldn’t relax. Her mind wouldn’t stop with its obsessive thoughts.
Ramsay, the older gentleman from the garden who Selina believed to be a servant, was Lord Forrester. Duncan’s father. She should have known. Even though she had never met the lord, his appearance and personality resembled the gentleman who occupied her thoughts too closely. She couldn’t fault Ramsay for wanting to keep his arrival silent.
Then there was the matter of Lady Forrester declaring how she felt about Selina. Love? She had grown closer to the lady while they prepared for her wedding, but she never imagined Lady Forrester held such strong affection toward her. But if Selina saw what was right before her, she would have seen how the lady treated her as a mother would by offering advice, complimenting her, and urging her to follow her own happiness. Lady Forrester made Selina feel loved.
It was then Selina realized the affection she held for Lady Forrester was indeed love. A giddy smile spread across Selina’s face. Today, she’d gained a mother figure and realized she had friends all along.
Though, why had Charlie come to her defense? It was the perfect opportunity for her to seek revenge against Selina. Instead, she’d covered for her as a friend would. Which was as far from the truth as the lie Charlie concocted. Which begged the question: Why? But she understood how Charlie’s mind worked and knew Charlie would make her demands soon. Selina only hoped she could comply with Lucas’s conniving cousin.
Which only left her to ponder one other comment Lady Forrester spoke. Why would Gray seek her company? Was he attempting to spend time with her before they spoke their vows? Or did he wish to persuade her to break the betrothal? She knew he would refuse to break it. However, there was a clause that stated Gray or Selina could bow out of the engagement with no damages toward either party. It was an agreement she had no control over. Her father would never allow her to back out on becoming Lady Gray. So it was pointless, if that was Gray’s intention. If not, then Gray would seek her out again soon.
Selina rolled over in the water and propped her chin on the edge of the tub, pondering what really had her stumbling. Why had Duncan not attempted any form of seduction today? While her heart warmed at his show of friendship, he still didn’t pressure her to fall victim to his charms. Charms that became harder to resist. Charms she no longer wanted to resist. Charms he didn’t display in any form other than a teasing friend who offered a warm shoulder to lay her head upon while pouring her heart out to him. However, his gaze when she’d exited the carriage spoke otherwise. She recognized the longing and knew he wanted her as deeply as she wanted him.
Her attention landed on his suit coat across her bed. It lay there, tempting Selina to return it to Duncan and find out what his desires were. Did he want her as a friend or a lover? Her need to discover the truth caused her to rise quickly from the tub, spilling water all over the floor. She didn’t even bother with a towel, but wrapped her silk robe around her dripping body. She scooped the coat off the bed and rushed toward the door. Selina gasped when she turned the doorknob. She couldn’t walk the length of the hallway to Duncan’s bedchamber without risking someone seeing her.
She dropped her hand and leaned back against the door. She brought her fingers to her mouth and bit her nails, thinking of how to sneak into Duncan’s room. Her eyes flitted around the bedroom, her breath quickening when her gaze landed on the mirror.
Of course. The secret passageway.
Why hadn’t she attempted this route first? Probably because she hadn’t had the nerve to wander through them before now. She only held knowledge of the passageway because Colebourne wanted her to use them for safety. He wanted her to use them if she wished to visit the library in the middle of the night, instead of opening herself to the vulnerabilities in the hallways. Also, he informed her, because she would become a member of his family, it was only right she knew of their usage.
Selina pressed the button hidden behind the mirror, and it slowly swung open. She poked her head out to see if anyone else wandered in the passageway. When she saw it empty, she stepped out and closed the secret door. Sunlight streamed in from the windows Colebourne had installed. She used the light to guide her, counting the doors along the way. When she reached the room belonging to Duncan, she paused. Her heart raced from her ragged nerves. Before she talked herself out of seeing Duncan, she pressed the latch to open his secret door. It swung open only a few inches. She stood silently, waiting for Duncan to react. When no one came near the opening, Selina peered around, looking inside the room.
She scanned the bedchamber and saw the fireplace lit. A tub filled with water stood nearby. The steam billowing above the tub indicated it was too hot to bathe in. Her gaze continued until it landed on the reason for her visit. Duncan stood just inside his room, discarding his clothing. One piece at a time, with no rush. Selina watched him unnoticed from the secret passageway. The rain had curled his long dark hair at the ends. The damp material of his shirt clung to his body as he peeled it over his head.
While he had stripped off his shirt earlier in her presence, it held more of an impact from the glow of the fire. Each ridge looked more defined. His chest and shoulders stood broader. He sat in a chair and pulled off his boots, tossing them across the room. Selina jumped when they landed near her. She stood rigid, afraid he had seen her. But when he walked over and tested the water, she realized he was still unaware of her.
He stretched, and the material of his trousers showed every aspect of his well-formed physique. It molded around his muscular thighs and emphasized how manly Duncan Forrester actually was. It left no doubt for Selina’s imagination, only drawing forth a need to see him without his trousers on. He undid the placket of them, causing Selina to step forward without being aware of her actions.
She clutched his suit coat and smelled the cologne, flooding her senses with his scent. When he peeled his trousers low and tugged them off, she tried to stay silent but couldn’t stop the gasp from escaping from her lips. Selina’s gaze slowly traveled its way up Duncan’s body, taking in every delicious inch of him. Her path lingered on his hardness, watching it grow more aroused under her bold stare.
Selina continued higher until she encountered Duncan’s heated gaze drinking her in. She gulped at the desire tempting her to follow through with her plans to seduce him. Was seduction her reason for coming to his bedchamber? Yes, Selina finally confessed.
She wanted Duncan more than she needed to breathe.