Chapter 5

Five

K ingston strolled into the library, hoping to find Selena lounging on one of the settees. He did not expect to encounter his friend, the Marquess of Ardmore, glaring at a ladder as if it had personally offended him. Taking a moment to study his friend, Kingston frowned. “What seems to be bothering you?”

The marquess looked up, startled. “Apologies,” Ardmore began. “I did not hear you enter. What was it you asked?”

Something was clearly troubling him. Kingston’s frown deepened. “I asked if something was bothering you, but it’s obvious something is. So, what ails you, my friend?”

Ardmore shook his head. “It is nothing—or nothing for you to be concerned about.” He gestured toward the ladder. “Emma neglected to move this after hanging mistletoe.”

Kingston glanced at the ladder and then upward to where the sprig had been hung. He grinned. How perfect. The next time he saw Emma he would have to hug the woman for her ingenious scheming. “How much mistletoe does she plan on hanging?” And where had she already hung it all? Kingston had planned on kissing Selena soon, but this gave him the excuse he needed to act on that impulse.

Ardmore shrugged. “She did not specify, but from what I have gleaned of her mind, expect it to be absolutely everywhere she could reach to string it up.”

How intriguing. Was Ardmore harboring a soft spot for Miss Emma Collins? It seemed so, though Kingston refrained from probing further—he did not want Ardmore to ask him similarly pointed questions. He was well aware of his growing attraction to Selena and did not want to discuss it prematurely. “I will bear that in mind,” Kingston replied.

“Best that you do,” Ardmore said with a wry smile. “Some of the ladies here may see that mistletoe as an opportunity. You would not want one of them to get it into her head to entrap a duke.”

Kingston grimaced, immediately envisioning Lady Arabella and Miss Harriet. The last thing he wanted was to be cornered under the mistletoe by either of them. Only one lady came to mind whom he would willingly kiss, and he was determined to find his opportunity soon. “Bloody hell… I should have thought of that myself. This mistletoe could pose quite a risk to our unmarried state.”

Ardmore chuckled. “Rest assured, I have no intention of falling into any trap—unless it is one I have laid myself, if you take my meaning.”

Kingston thought of his own intentions toward Selena and smiled. “I do indeed.” He motioned toward the ladder. “Should we move it from the center of the room? It is practically announcing the presence of mistletoe.”

“I will handle it,” Ardmore said. “And then I will leave you to whatever brought you here. I have some plans of my own to attend to.”

If Kingston had to guess, those “plans” involved Miss Emma Collins. Ardmore’s interest in her had been evident, especially in his earlier remarks. If he was indeed drawn to her, Kingston wished him luck. From what little he had learned from Selena, Emma had plans for several guests at this house party. Fortunately, Kingston suspected that he and Ardmore were not among her targets.

After Ardmore moved the ladder to the side of the room, he turned back toward Kingston. “Have you any notion of what Emma’s scheme might be?” he asked.

Kingston paused, choosing his words carefully. Ardmore seemed to sense he was holding something back and fixed him with a curious stare before sighing. “I should have known you would be quick to notice. You are far from a fool. Have you uncovered anything?”

“Not much,” Kingston admitted. “The snowball fight was…interesting.”

“Indeed,” Ardmore agreed with a grin. “Although I still do not know its exact purpose. She is laying groundwork all over this house party, moving guests around like pawns in a game. But her endgame? I have yet to figure it out. She will not tell me, though I have asked more than once.”

Kingston nodded. “Selena could not tell me either. I asked her, and she barely admitted there was anything afoot.” He frowned. “Should we be concerned?”

“I do not believe so,” Ardmore replied. “It seems harmless enough. I am more curious than anything.” He gave Kingston a shrewd look. “You asked Selena? I had not realized you were that acquainted with Foxcroft’s cousin.”

Kingston realized he might have given too much away. He would need to divert the conversation before Ardmore became too inquisitive. Smiling, he replied, “I would not say I know her well. She has been quite vocal about her distaste for some of the guests, and it has been entertaining to observe.”

“Is that so?” Ardmore raised a brow. “Emma shares similar sentiments about some of them. It makes one wonder why they were invited.” A gleeful expression filled the marquess’s face as if something suddenly occurred to him. He would use whatever that was to his advantage. Kingston would wager on the success of that plan too.

“I asked Selena about that, too,” Kingston admitted, recalling their recent walk to view the snow forts. “Turns out Lady Harcrest had little to do with the guest list and actually detests entertaining.”

“Ah, so it was Emma’s doing,” Ardmore concluded, smiling. “That makes perfect sense… She has her hand in everything. I intend to uncover her scheme before this house party ends.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “And now, I must find the little minx and ask her a few pointed questions.” He nodded to Kingston. “Best of luck with Selena. Perhaps you will learn more useful information from her.”

As Ardmore left the library, Kingston was left alone with his thoughts. He could leave and search for Selena, but the mistletoe overhead held undeniable potential. He could not help but hope Selena would wander in, giving him the perfect excuse to finally kiss her. Settling into one of the settees, he decided to wait a while longer. Perhaps, with a little luck, everything would fall into place just as he hoped.

Selena strolled into the library and stopped short. Kingston lounged on a settee, seemingly lost in thought. He was so handsome it amazed her that he wanted to spend time with her. Perhaps it was due to his connection with David; maybe he pitied her lack of prospects. She hoped that was not the case, yet she had to consider all possibilities—especially now that she was an heiress again. Though, she doubted that a duke needed to concern himself overly with increasing his coffers. Most dukes had large estates, likely ensuring more wealth than could be spent in one lifetime.

He had not noticed her entrance, and she wondered if she should quietly leave and allow him his musings. But no, she had come to find a new book, return the one she had borrowed, and—if she was being honest—she wanted the chance for another of their stimulating conversations. Why deny herself that pleasure? It was one of the rare things she enjoyed, and she liked him, perhaps more than she ought to.

“Well, Selena,” he drawled, his voice carrying that familiar wicked lilt, “I did not hear you come in. Come closer, love. Let me gaze upon that gorgeous face of yours.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do not be boorish.”

“I would never,” he said with a smile. “I am quite serious. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever had the pleasure to gaze upon.”

“Yet so beautiful that every gentleman in the ton has overlooked me for three seasons.” She sighed. “Spare me your flattery.”

“How can you not know that you are beautiful?” he asked, frowning. “Are you pretending, or do you truly not see it?”

This was not a conversation she had intended to have, and she did not like where it was going. She walked to the shelves and slid the book into place, contemplating whether to browse for another. But instead, she wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a swell of vulnerability she had not expected. She knew she was reasonably attractive, but three seasons of being invisible had left her with insecurities that were hard to shake. Yes, she was an heiress now, but did that mean anyone who showed interest wanted her for more than her dowry?

“Selena, my darling,” Kingston placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t,” she said sharply, shrugging off his hand. “I do not need your pity.”

She stepped away, tears pricking at her eyes, and she feared they would spill if she lingered. She had told herself she did not need a husband, that she was content alone. But Kingston made her long for things she thought she had given up on—marriage, family, even love. She had not wanted to let herself hope for that, yet in these past few days with him, hope had begun to unfurl in her heart once more.

Kingston approached her cautiously, as though he feared she might flee. She took a deep breath and turned to face him. “You do no’t need to worry about me. I will be fine.” Selena had been all right on her own for some time now. She did not need him to comfort her, even if she did long for him to do just that.

“How can I not be concerned?” he asked softly. “I don’t like hearing you disparage yourself this way. You are truly beautiful.” Kingston moved closer, lifting a hand to gently cup her cheek. “I know no gentleman has said that to you, but it’s their loss. They were all fools, love. You light up a room. I find you breathtaking.”

Her heart squeezed at his words. “I’m not a fool,” she whispered.

“I never said you were.” His voice was a soothing balm. “Look into my eyes, and know I mean every word.”

She met his gaze, feeling a rush of warmth at the sincerity in his eyes. Kingston truly found her desirable, beautiful even. She had known he wasn’t the sort to lie, and it was one of the things she’d come to respect about him. She parted her lips to speak, but when he groaned, she stilled, taken aback.

“You undo me, darling,” he murmured, his forehead resting gently against hers. “And I find I must do this. Forgive my impertinence.” When his lips brushed hers, her entire body came alive.

At first, the kiss was soft, tentative, as though he sought her permission. A few gentle touches, a taste, then a teasing flick of his tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth in a gasp, and he pressed in, deepening the kiss as his tongue stroked against hers. She melted into him, her thoughts scattering as his taste—a mixture of warmth and spice—filled her senses.

She slid her arms around his neck, and she pressed herself against him, desire flaring with each brush of his tongue. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him, and she felt his arousal against her, a confirmation of his desire that sent a thrill through her.

He wanted her. That fact was undeniable, and she realized with a jolt that she wanted him just as fiercely. But what was she to do with that knowledge? Should she give in to her desire or flee before things went further? She couldn’t turn back the clock if she gave herself to him. Selena reluctantly pulled away, looking up at him with wide eyes. She needed to leave. This was all happening too quickly, and she needed time to think.

Without a word, she turned and left, her heart racing as she tried to steady herself. Her mind was a swirl of emotions and sensations, and she couldn’t sort through them all with him so close. She struggled to regain her breath, and with one hand pressed to her lips, she climbed the stairs toward her bedchamber, hoping that solitude might offer her the clarity she so desperately needed.

That kiss would stay with her forever. She touched her lips tentatively, they still tingled from his kiss. She would never forget it. Never.