Chapter 4

Four

S elena strolled into the foyer and glanced around. Several guests appeared to be preparing to go outdoors. She narrowed her gaze, trying to discern why they suddenly thought this was a brilliant idea. It might not be entirely absurd, but generally, these society types did not venture outdoors in frigid weather without a good reason. They all liked their creature comforts. Not that Selena blamed them; she didn’t particularly enjoy cold weather herself—especially when the wet, icy snow was involved.

She took a moment to glance out the window. It had definitely snowed recently. That would mean dealing with the white menace if one decided to brave the cold. She nibbled on her bottom lip, debating whether or not to join them. There had to be a reason they were all going outside, and her curiosity might just get the best of her.

“What is so fascinating?” Kingston asked, his voice a low rumble behind her.

Selena turned to meet the duke’s gaze, as striking as she remembered. No matter how she tried to forget his handsome features, it seemed impossible. She had also started to refer to him by his given name—at least in her mind. That one time she’d said it aloud did not count.

“I would not presume to know,” she replied honestly. “Do you know why everyone has decided to go outdoors today?”

His smile lit up his face, and she drew in a sharp breath. That smile nearly stole her ability to breathe. This man was devastating to her sense of independence. If she didn’t keep reminding herself that she was decidedly uninterested in marriage—especially to a duke—she might find herself falling for his easy charm and handsome visage. “I may have some knowledge you would find helpful,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Selena narrowed her gaze. “Tell me,” she demanded.

“And why should I?” He lifted a brow, a rogue’s grin playing on his lips.

The scoundrel was teasing her. How silly it was that Selena actually enjoyed their exchange. She tilted her head to the side, pretending to consider his question. Besides, it gave her an excuse to gaze at him without looking foolish. Then she decided to take a different tack altogether. “Fine. Don’t tell me. Keep your secrets.”

“You gave in too easily, love,” he chided, his tone playfully reproachful. “Do you have so little faith in me?”

“I have no faith in you whatsoever,” she retorted with a smirk.

He placed a hand to his chest, feigning injury. “You wound me.”

Selena rolled her eyes. “Please. I do not have that sort of control over your emotional health. You have an ego the size of England, maybe even larger. Nothing would have the ability to wound you.” She tapped her chin lightly. “Though perhaps someone might be able to wound your pride. Tell me, Your Grace, did I achieve that lofty goal?”

“I thought I told you not to say that again,” he growled, his eyes narrowing.

She batted her eyelashes coquettishly. “Whatever could you mean?” Selena knew precisely what he meant. He didn’t want to hear her say “Your Grace” again, but she couldn’t resist teasing him. It was far too delightful to goad him in such a manner. She waited with bated breath for his reaction.

“You do it on purpose,” he finally said, laughing, his rich chuckle filling the room and warming her soul. “Very well, love. Have it your way.” He leaned in close, his voice a husky murmur. “For now…”

That sent a delicious shiver through her. He might be conceding to her, but she could tell their verbal sparring was far from over. She looked forward to further skirmishes with him. They left her feeling exhilarated. “Of course, Your Grace, anything for you,” she replied, fluttering her eyelashes in a mockingly innocent fashion.

He muttered a curse under his breath. “Fetch your cloak,” he commanded. “We’re going for a walk in that lovely snow.”

She grimaced. “It’s much prettier from the comfort of the window,” she protested, gesturing toward the frosted panes. “Must we go out there and experience it firsthand? I understand you like the chill, but I much prefer a good blaze.”

He turned to her, his gaze suddenly smoldering with an intensity that made her entire body flush. In that moment, she could not remember why she didn’t want to venture out into the cold. It seemed a blessed idea, as her overheated skin could use a cooling. “You will enjoy it,” he promised in a low, intimate tone. “Are you going to argue with me about everything?”

Selena shrugged. “Perhaps. I do like to be contrary.”

“Don’t I know it…” He sighed, exasperation and amusement mingling in his voice. “Will you please go fetch your cloak now?”

She stared at him for as long as she dared, not wanting him to misinterpret her interest. She didn’t wish for him to think she had aspirations of becoming his duchess. Did she want to spend some time outdoors with him? Well, she could always return to her bedchamber with a book and lose herself there for the rest of the day if she preferred solitude.

He seemed to genuinely want her company for this walk. A bit of fresh air couldn’t hurt, and perhaps a stroll in the snow would be invigorating. Finally, she gave a reluctant nod. “I suppose I can manage that.”

“Good,” he said, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “Because I adore your acerbic wit, and I could use it to keep me entertained while braving the cold. It’ll keep me from succumbing to the frigid weather.”

“I fear it is far too late for you, Your Grace,” she replied cheekily. “You’re already wrapped in the chill of societal norms. Nothing can save you now.”

“Go get your cloak, you little minx,” he said with a smirk. “I’ll wait for you here.”

She lifted a brow. “Do you not need a coat as well?”

“I’ve sent my valet to retrieve it,” he replied, motioning for her to be on her way. Selena shook her head but complied, heading to her bedchamber for her cloak. She sighed. This might be a terrible idea, but she would see it through. After all, she thought with a small smile, her curiosity might very well be her undoing.

Kingston waited patiently for Selena to return, relishing his time with her far too much. Perhaps she had been right to warn him at the beginning—he might indeed succumb to her beauty and wit. He might very well be the fool who fell willingly into a trap meant to bind him forever. Marriage to her, he mused, would never be boring.

That was likely why he admired her so much. She kept him guessing, never yielding to him easily. Her courage and stubbornness were far more attractive than anything else. Not that she wasn’t beautiful—she certainly had beauty in abundance. Her burnished brown hair and sea-blue eyes, coupled with her porcelain skin and heart-shaped face, made her a vision. Honestly, it surprised him that no one had overlooked her lack of dowry to marry her on beauty alone. Were all the dandies in the ton truly that mercenary? Did none of them have enough funds to ignore her lack of fortune?

He shook his head. He rarely attended balls, and he certainly hadn’t been searching for a wife when he did. Kingston was wealthy enough that it wouldn’t have mattered to him if his future duchess came to him penniless. If he’d been looking among the young ladies, he certainly wouldn’t have settled for one such as Lady Arabella. No matter what Selena believed, he didn’t want a cold woman in his bed. If he married, he wanted a wife by his side in every way—one who would be in his bed every night and there in the morning. A cold, bitter marriage held no appeal, which was precisely why he hadn’t bothered to find a wife.

“All right, Your Grace,” Selena said as she rushed toward him, wrapped warmly in her cloak. “Let’s go outside and endure the glorious cold.”

Kingston chuckled. “I am yours to command,” he replied, offering her his arm. “We’re going to witness what all the fuss is about. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

“Will I?” She snorted—at least, he thought she did. The sound was low and almost concealed, as if she’d tried to hide it. “We shall see, shan’t we.”

“Indeed,” he responded with a smile.

He led her to the entrance of the manor, and they exited without fanfare. They strolled toward a small gathering where two forts had been constructed for a snow battle. At the base of each fort, a ribbon had been staked into the snow, marking them as flags to be captured. The forts, reinforced with snow, provided excellent barricades, and a neat pile of snowballs had been formed for ammunition. Once depleted, participants would have to form their own snowballs. Kingston admired the details that had gone into this little endeavor. While he wouldn’t be joining the fray—and neither would Selena—he had other plans for her.

“Is all this for what I think?” Selena gestured toward the snowballs. “Are they truly going to throw those at each other?”

“They are,” he confirmed with a grin. “Your friend Emma came up with this activity. I am more astonished she managed to convince so many guests to participate. It will be… interesting.”

“I am grateful she didn’t include me in this scheme.” Selena shuddered. “She must have known I’d be against it.” She sighed. “Not that she’s shared her plans with any of us. Every moment will be one surprise after another.”

“I do not understand,” he said, narrowing his gaze. “What is your friend plotting?”

“Did I not just tell you I don’t know?” She sighed. “Emma keeps everything to herself, but I can tell you she’s definitely up to something.” She nodded toward the forts and snowballs. “And this is somehow essential to whatever she hopes to achieve. We certainly don’t want to be around when it all unfolds.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He led her away from the upcoming snow battle. “They should start soon. Let’s walk in the opposite direction, shall we?”

Selena nodded. “And you couldn’t simply tell me what was planned? Was it truly necessary to walk outside?”

“I feared you wouldn’t believe the scale of it if you didn’t see it with your own eyes.” He grinned. “Tell me you didn’t enjoy witnessing the fruits of your friend’s labor.”

Selena laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far…” She snuggled against him, filling him with a joy he hadn’t expected. “But I am glad that it all seems to be going well for her. She’ll share her intentions when she’s ready.”

“You are close,” he observed, “with Emma and the others?”

“If you mean Lilah, Cora, and Victoria, then yes. They’re the friends I never dreamed I’d have, yet here we are. There’s little I wouldn’t do for them.”

Kingston nodded. “I feel the same about my friends.”

“Which is why we’re both here,” she added. “Otherwise, we’d be at home, not mingling with people we find distasteful.”

“Precisely,” he agreed. “Present company excluded, of course, but some of these guests are horrid. What was Lady Harcrest thinking? The worst of the worst at Christmastide?” He shuddered. “How unfortunate.”

“Well,” Selena replied, “Lilah loathes entertaining. This wasn’t her idea.” She lifted her gaze to his. “As I said, we would do anything for each other.”

He tilted his head, finally understanding. Realization dawned on him. “This is for Emma.”

“It’s for Emma,” she confirmed.

How many of these house parties had also been designed with some hidden motive? The five friends had all been wallflowers, overlooked by society. He didn’t believe the ladies had schemed to trap his friends into marriage, but their plans had certainly led them down that path. Kingston wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

“I suppose we should return to the house,” he suggested.

“So soon, Your Grace?” she teased, giving him an impish smile. “I thought you enjoyed the cold?”

“I never claimed any fondness for the cold,” he replied. Though it had given him something unexpected—her warmth as she leaned against him. He wouldn’t trade that for anything. “But your cheeks are flushed, and your lips are turning a lovely shade of blue. It’s time we returned to a room with a roaring fire.” And perhaps, he thought, he could kiss those lips until they were a rosy pink once more.

“Very well,” she said with a laugh. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.”

They turned back toward the manor, walking in companionable silence. Kingston had no idea what schemes she might be harboring, but he had his own plans brewing. All his thoughts were centered on pulling her close, kissing her deeply, and perhaps, in time, claiming her in every way. But for now, he’d start with that kiss he’d been longing for. The rest would come in due time, for he was certain of one thing—Selena was meant to be his. Forever. And he’d lay his fortune on the line to make sure of it.