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Selina woke the next morning in a foggy haze to a flurry of activity in her bedchamber. She sat up quickly, drawing the quilt to her chest. Luckily, she’d had the good sense to draw on her nightgown and a robe after Duncan left. If not, she would have much to explain for lying in a rumpled bed without wearing a stitch of clothing. She swiped the sleep in her eyes, thinking what she witnessed was an illusion.
Instead of waking to the wonderful dream of Duncan making love to her, she now awoke to a nightmare starring the Holbrooke sisters and Abigail Cason, with Gemma trailing behind them wearing a smirk.
Gemma’s arrival thrilled Selina. However, she remained on guard with the other ladies’ visit. They had made their stand clear over the last two weeks, and she wondered about the sudden change. Charlie directed the servants where to sit the hot chocolate and pastries. Each of the ladies gathered their drink and food and settled into a seat. Gemma sat next to Selina on the bed and gathered her into a hug. Selina hadn’t realized how much she needed that until now.
“You came,” said Selina.
Gemma laughed. “Of course. I told you I would not miss your wedding.”
Silence descended on the group at her declaration. There wasn’t a single soul in the bedroom who wanted this marriage to occur. Selina least of all.
Selina attempted a smile. “I am glad you are here.”
Gemma nodded, then poured two cups of hot chocolate and filled a plate full of breakfast edibles. A servant helped Gemma carry the items over to the bed, and she settled against the headboard. Selina accepted the cup and took a sip, glancing around to find every eye upon her filled with curiosity.
“Thank you, Polly. That will be all,” said Jacqueline.
After the maid left, conversation erupted with excitement. Selina grew still, unsure how to react. They acted as if this were an everyday occurrence. It was for them, but they had never once invited Selina to take part in their early morning ritual. She didn’t understand what had changed to make this morning any different.
After Duncan left her at dawn, she’d grown too exhausted for her early morning ride with Ramsay. She’d sent word of her apologies and informed her maid she would sleep longer. She’d fallen back into a deep sleep, but visions of Duncan kept hovering within her reach. Now she sat in unchartered territory, not knowing what to expect.
“So do spill. Was the honeymoon as scandalous as the courtship?” Charlie waggled her eyebrows.
Gemma’s twinkling laughter filled the room. “Even more so.”
“Details, cousin. We want to hear the details. Did he make you ...” Charlie urged.
“Charlie! You are going to give Lady Selina the wrong impression,” Jacqueline reprimanded.
Selina sat in shock at how easily they conversed of such private matters and even more so at Jacqueline’s defense.
“In Charlie’s defense, if she is to become one of us, she must become accustomed to how we behave.” Evelyn bit into a scone.
Jacqueline shook her head. “Worthington has corrupted you.”
Evelyn smiled cheekily. “Yes, he has, much to my delight.”
Jacqueline threw her hands in the air. “Your marriages have made both of you wicked.”
Gemma sighed. “A most proper marriage will hold that effect over a lady.”
Charlie laughed. “There is nothing proper to any of our marriages.”
Charlie, Evelyn, and Gemma all laughed at the truth of the statement, causing Jacqueline and Abigail to shake their heads in defeat. But the smiles on their faces spoke otherwise. They smiled at the other ladies fondly, happy for their successful marriages. The usual ping of envy washed over Selina at their friendship. She secretly wished to be a part of it.
Gemma set her cup on the nightstand and covered her hands over her stomach. “I have a bit of news to share with you.”
“You and Ralston are expecting,” Abigail guessed quietly.
Gemma nodded, and the bed shook when each lady crowded around Gemma for a hug. Selina hadn’t realized tears slid along her cheeks at watching their excitement over Gemma’s news. They took pleasure in each other’s happiness, which only left Selina more depressed than ever. When they pulled away, they resumed their seats, talking excitedly about the baby news.
“Congratulations,” Selina whispered, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Gemma’s smile dropped. “Why are you crying?”
“I am so happy for you.”
“Oh, Selina, you poor dear. Has it been so awful of late?”
Selina attempted to smile in an effort to present her acceptance of her situation but failed. She shook her head, too choked to voice her displeasure. Especially in front of the other ladies.
Jacqueline answered for Selina. “I fear that is our fault. We did not take your request to heart, Gemma. Instead, we kept with our determination to make Selina feel as unwelcome as possible. As a result of us harboring our resentment of the situation, we failed to see how Selina was just as much of a victim.”
Gemma shook her head in disappointment, rising from the bed. “How do I even express my displeasure at each of you? You each made me a promise and have failed to discover Selina’s true character. Aunt Susanna wrote to me of Selina’s attempt to rectify her past actions, but it appears while she has grown, each of you has sunken to a depth I am ashamed of.”
Abigail rose and guided Gemma to sit again. “Do not upset yourself, ‘tis not good for the babe. You stand correct in your shame.” She turned to Selina. “Please forgive my actions. It was not until yesterday when Lucas lashed out at you and Duncan defended your cause that I realized you are more of a victim than any of us. You had no choice in the arrangement your father decided for your future. You were only groomed to accept it as your fate. I hope you will accept my apology and offer of friendship.”
Selina wiped the tears off her cheek. “I apologize for my unkindness in the past to everyone. At the end of the season, I realized how my past actions caused a rift where a pleasant relationship would never happen. I fear jealousy and loneliness prompted my poor behavior, and it has only come to my attention of late what a sincere friendship really is. I understand if none of you will ever consider me a friend, but I can only hope we can get along in the foreseeable future.”
“What Abigail attempted to relate is that we are all at fault, and we wish to apologize for our own mistreatment. The reason for our invasion is to offer you our friendship in the days to come.” Jacqueline smiled, and everyone nodded in agreement.
“Really?” asked Selina, doubting she heard correctly.
Abigail smiled. “Really.”
A smile lit up Selina’s face. “I do not know what to say.”
Evelyn laughed. “You do not need to say a word. You only must agree to join us for morning hot chocolate and scones whenever Uncle Theo does not demand our attendance at the breakfast table.”
Selina nodded. “Then you have my agreement.”
Charlie rubbed her hands together. “Excellent. Now we can move on to more important matters.”
“Charlie!” Evelyn and Jacqueline spoke at once.
“What? There is a wedding but a week away. If we do not intervene, then who knows what Uncle Theo has planned.”
“Charlie has a point. When I questioned him before I wed, he told me not to interfere, that Selina and Lucas would wed,” said Gemma.
“But did he say they would wed each other?” asked Charlie.
Gemma shook her head. “He did not specify.”
“And Duncan is under the impression Uncle Theo invited him to town for a different result,” interjected Evelyn.
“For Duncan and Selina to make a match?” asked Abigail.
Jacqueline started laughing uncontrollably. “Exactly. Why, that sneaky devil and his matchmaking madness.”
Selina’s brows drew together. “I do not understand.”
“Oh, my dear friend, I fear you are the latest to fall victim in Uncle Theo’s trap. Our uncle thinks of himself as a matchmaker of sorts, and Aunt Susanna is his co-conspirator,” Gemma explained.
“I still do not understand. Why does he want to make a match for me, when I am already set to marry his son?” Realization dawned on Selina, and she paled while answering her own question. “Because he does not find me suitable enough to become Lucas’s wife.”
“No, no, no. ‘Tis not the reason at all.” Abigail rushed to sit next to Selina, pulling her hand to hold between hers.
Everyone stared in shock at Abigail comforting Selina. Yes, they had all made their apologies to the beauty, but Abigail soothing her surprised them. Abigail was the very reason Uncle Theo had tried to make a different match for Selina.
Selina’s eyes widened at the friendly gesture. “What else could be the reason?”
“Colebourne feels guilty...” Abigail began.
“Abigail,” Gemma growled.
Abigail sighed, shaking her head. “Uncle Theo has learned of my feelings regarding Lucas. He has decided we would make a perfect match, but the betrothal agreement has tied his hands. He believes if he found another gentleman for you to fall in love with, you will plead for your father to release you from the contract.”
“Do you love Lucas?” Selina whispered.
Abigail nodded.
“Does Lucas love you?” Selina asked.
“Yes,” the other ladies answered, but Abigail followed with, “No, I do not believe he does. He only sees me as a responsibility.”
Selina regarded Abigail shrewdly. “I disagree. He never takes his eyes off you, and he obsesses over your every move.”
Abigail blushed. “Your eyes deceive you.”
Selina smiled wistfully. “No, they do not. What a mess. For years, I had been told of my destiny. Never questioning it, but only following the demands of my father. I was always secure in the knowledge that Lucas would become my husband. Even watching him always watch you, I knew he was mine. I thought no differently until ...” Selina trailed off.
“Until one Duncan Forrester broke down your walls and made you question everything you had ever been told,” answered Charlie.
This time Selina was the one who wore a blush. “Yes. Is it more than obvious?”
“Only to those of us who have walked in your shoes of late,” soothed Evelyn.
“I have no clue what to do. I fear Duncan only fools with me, even though his whispered words speak differently.”
“I disagree. He would not risk your reputation if his heart were not engaged. You may risk your father’s wrath, but Duncan risks the wrath of our uncle. Not to mention his bond with Lucas,” Jaqueline explained. “And sneaking time alone with you only shows what he risks for loving you.”
Selina’s face flamed from embarrassment. What must these ladies think of her for betraying Lucas? “You must think me so wanton. I never intended for any of this to happen. Duncan swept me up in this passion, and I wanted but a brief moment of happiness before I started my life with Lucas. It was selfish of me to do so. I do not wish to take Lucas from you, Abigail. But I know of no other way. My father will not allow me to break the contract.”
This time, Abigail asked the question. “Do you love Duncan?
Selina nodded.
Everyone in the room squealed, including Abigail.
Gemma clapped. “Excellent. Now we must do our own scheming. Upon my arrival, I overheard Uncle Theo conspiring with Aunt Susanna on the seating arrangement for future meals. He was very explicit in his orders. Duncan is never to have a seat next to you. You will sit next to Lucas and a gentleman of Uncle Theo’s choosing. Between now and the wedding, you must convince Lucas how horrible his life would become if he married you.”
“How? I already showed him how much of a shrew I am, and while he shows his disappointment in me, he hasn’t tried to break the agreement himself.”
Jacqueline took a sip of the lukewarm hot chocolate. “Only you can break the contract, Selina, and no one else.”
Selina shook her head in denial. “No. The clause written in the contract states either party can break it if they found a more suitable match. But the match must bring forth the same, if not more of a substantial, gain. Which means Lucas cannot in the end. I mean no disrespect, Abigail.”
Abigail smiled. “I understand my standings in society, and I know you mean no harm. ‘Tis a matter of fact.”
“The clause does not rule out Duncan,” said Evelyn.
“Duncan nowhere matches what Lucas will bring into our marital union,” Selina scoffed.
“But Duncan can ...” Gemma tried to explain Duncan’s worth.
Charlie interrupted with a conniving smile. “Yes, Duncan’s worth is nowhere near Lucas’s holdings. Selina must act the shrew again to make Lucas beg Uncle Theo to relent.”
Gemma’s stared at Charlie with curiosity about why she’d stopped her from explaining Duncan’s worth when it was obvious Selina held no clue of his fortune. She wanted to inform Selina how Duncan could offer her more security than Lucas ever could, but Charlie had her reasons for withholding the truth. She would trust her cousin because she had never failed them before.
Evelyn held up a hand. “Hold on. I must ask. Are your reasons for not confessing to your father about Duncan because of his worth?”
“No. I only know of my father’s refusal if I seek to break the betrothal and what his answer will be. If my father believed in love, then I would beg for release now. But my father is cynical and will only scoff at my love for Duncan. I love Duncan too fiercely to have it deemed an unnecessary emotion not belonging in a marital union.” Selina’s answer seemed to have found approval among the other ladies. “So you see, no matter what course I take, it is hopeless.”
Gemma shook her head. “I disagree. The one thing I learned from my own, shall we say, courtship with Ralston was, in the end, Uncle Theo wanted us to take the risk and declare our love for one another. He only does this matchmaking business to see us settled. And you, Selina, have endeared yourself to him, and he only wishes the same for you too. I have changed my mind on how you should approach your time with Lucas. My best advice is for you to be yourself with Lucas in these coming days.”
“But will that not convince him he can tolerate me as a wife?”
“No, it will make him analyze his feelings for Abigail more closely,” Gemma replied.
Selina bit her lip. “I am not sure.”
“Just try it, and we shall see what we can accomplish by convincing Lucas or Duncan into declaring their true intentions. That is what Uncle Theo wants. But beware of his tricks. Our uncle is a devious matchmaker,” Evelyn encouraged.
Charlie laughed. “Do not forget Aunt Susanna too.”
“And Ramsay?” asked Selina.
Jacqueline smiled. “No. He only shakes his head at their shenanigans. However, you have charmed him.”
Before Selina could voice any objections to their suggestions, Lady Forrester bustled into the bedroom with Selina’s maid following behind her. “Oh, how lovely of you girls to include Selina in your morning ritual. But I am afraid it must end. Selina needs to prepare for an afternoon visiting the tenants with Lucas.”
Lady Forrester hustled the girls from the room. But Gemma stopped before Selina, drawing her into a hug. She whispered in Selina’s ear, “Be yourself, and all will work out in the end.”
Selina nodded, remembering the Duke of Colebourne had spoken words of a similar nature not so long ago. She remained quiet while Lady Forrester helped her prepare for the afternoon visits, listening with only half an ear. Her thoughts replayed the visit with the Holbrooke cousins and Abigail Cason. It was a visit she had waited a lifetime for, and it was everything she’d expected and more.
A tremendous weight of her past ill behavior lifted. Now a lighthearted joy of forming new friendships that would last a lifetime filled her soul. She should feel dread for the impending doom of her upcoming nuptials, but instead, hope bloomed in her heart. Perhaps with the help of her new friends, Selina and Duncan could declare their love for one another and live happily ever after.