Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“ F or goodness’ sake, my love, sit down.”

Selina watched, equal parts amused and concerned, as her brother-in-law took the teapot out of her sister’s hand and set it down on the table before he tugged her gently towards a chair, careful not to disturb the area near her protruding stomach.

“I can do it just fine,” Thalia Pratt, Selina’s sister and the Duchess of Ravenwood, complained, even as she allowed her husband to help her settle onto a settee.

“And I don’t doubt that, my love,” Thalia’s husband, Benedict, the Duke of Ravenwood, intoned softly, his face alight in concern. “But you are only a few weeks away from birthing our child. I have begged you to please leave some of these tasks to the staff — what good is a house full of servants if we do not use them? Yesterday, I found her trying to climb onto a stool to adjust a drape in the sunroom. Selina, help me talk some sense into your sister.”

Selina sat up straighter at the sound of her name, trying to erase every ounce of proof that she had admired her brother-in-law’s easy display of affection towards her sister.

It did not surprise her that her sister’s active nature would pose a challenge, even as she was heavily with child. Thalia had always been an independent, hard worker, and it should have been expected that she would prefer to be up and doing more than seated and restless, even now.

“You should listen to your husband, Thalia. You know he is of a weak heart — causing him all this stress is not ideal.” Selina shook her head sagely.

“I am always so thankful that you have my best interests at heart, Selina,” Benedict sighed with a pitiful expression.

Because Selina understood what her sister was like, she felt it was her responsibility to give her brother-in-law a helping hand with the challenge he was currently facing.

“He’s right, though. You are in no condition to be mounting elevated surfaces or doing anything remotely strenuous,” Selina gently pointed out.

“Strenuous?” Thalia queried with an incredulous expression. “I was trying to pour you a cup of tea, Selina. It wasn’t such a tasking activity — certainly not worthy of the fuss that my husband has raised.”

“That being said, it is evident that you aren’t content with leaving even the simplest of jobs to others. I can pour my own tea, dear sister. I know you have spent the majority of your life looking after me, but you don’t have to anymore. I’m old enough to take care of myself, and you need to save your strength for when your little one is born,” Selina said with a smile.

Thalia sighed, leaning back with a quiet groan before she said, “But I’ve always taken care of you, Selina. And in as much as I am proud of how much you’ve grown, I still worry about you. I don’t think I’ll ever not worry about you.”

“You’re making me out to be a wayward miscreant of sorts,” Selina teased, feeling the most at ease she’d been in months.

She and her sister had been close all her life as their mother had passed when Selina was ten. Now that Thalia was married, it was something of an adjustment trying to get used to a life without her sister by her side.

This visit was long overdue, and even though she had only arrived an hour before, she felt quite at home.

“You certainly have your moments,” Thalia smiled innocently as her husband held her a cup of tea.

“I resent that. I am absolutely lovely. Just ask father,” Selina sniffed with a pout.

Thalia’s expression dimmed slightly.

“How is he? His letters are always so cheerful, but I know that his strength is failing.” She frowned.

Selina thought of her dear father, who had pleaded with her between fits of coughing to go and spend some time with her sister.

He had expressed concerns about keeping her mood down by making her stay to care for a sickly man, and despite her protests, he remained firm on his decision.

“He has good and bad days… The good ones are few and far between, though. But he tries to remain hopeful as will I,” Selina said resolutely.

“And I as well. We’ve faced numerous challenges in the past. Hopefully this, too, is merely a single hurdle we shall eventually overcome,” Thalia replied although her tone betrayed a hint of uncertainty.

What neither of them was willing to face was that this hurdle seemed much more long-lasting than others. It had been months since their father’s health began to dwindle, and there was barely a sign of recovery. One some days, he couldn’t find the strength to climb out of bed.

“I wish he would focus solely on his recovery and less on my lack of a match. He has mentioned, time and time again, how sad he feels that he is unable to escort me to any events. But I have assured him that I will be fine. His strength and thoughts should be focused on his healing and not on a quest to find me a husband.” Selina sighed, reaching for a crumpet on the platter of treats that sat alongside the tea.

Although she would never admit as much, she had the same fears her father did. No one would say as much outright, but Selina was advancing in years and was nearly a spinster.

She understood that the longer she went without any prospects, the harder it would be to find a husband. However, she could not just settle for anyone.

“Well, it just so happens that Nora will be hosting a house party soon! What better opportunity to find a match than then? You will have enough time and chances to find someone you can get along with there,” Thalia suggested with a hint of excitement.

“While that does sound like a great idea, you know that I am not one for stiff, quick marriages that barely hold an ounce of true feeling in it. I want love, not convenience. I want to choose the person I will spend the rest of my life with, to be chosen and to spend each day with him looking forward to the next. No matter how many chances I am given, or how many men I meet there, if it is not love, then it is not for me,” Selina said with a straightforward tone.

Selina had held onto this very same stance ever since her adolescence, charmed by the story of her parents and how their love for each other came first and foremost in their lives. She wanted the warmth that her father conveyed each time he spoke of her mother. She craved the whirlwind of emotions that would take her by surprise and deliver her right into the arms of the one who would adore her every bit as much as she was willing to love.

Thalia, ever logical and understanding that the world wouldn’t always cater to anyone’s desires forever, had gently tried to dissuade Selina from harboring such hopes over the years to no avail. Even now, Selina could tell that her older sister was not happy to hear that she was unwilling to compromise even as things were reaching dire heights. Still, she was thankful that Thalia ultimately decided to resign herself and leave the decision up to Selina.

“Be that as it may, you must give your all to ensuring that you establish some sort of connection between you and prospective suitors. Remember that you are searching for a husband, and it would be ideal to know early on how compatible you both are,” Thalia advised wisely.

“I’m sorry, is the goal to find a husband or a long-term business partner?” Benedict questioned with a grin.

“They could very well be the same thing, given how easily such characteristics exist between the two positions,” Selina sighed tiredly as though she were nearing the end of her rope.

Her brother-in-law offered her a biscuit sympathetically.

“I am sure you will attract many potentially great matches. You are a lovely person, and you will make some lucky fellow happy someday,” he said genuinely.

Selina, feeling touched, accepted his offering. “Thank you, Benedict. It really is encouraging to hear you say that.”

“It is true,” Benedict shrugged casually. “I, personally, know that you have many great characteristics. And in the time we’ve spent together in the last year, I have grown to appreciate your relations as a wonderful sister, a thoughtful daughter, and a kind friend. Any man of good worth would be blind not to notice how much of an ideal match you are.”

Selina blinked then shifted her gaze to her sister. “I can see one of the ways he charmed you into marrying him. He is rather smooth with words.”

“Oh, dear sweet sister,” Thalia sighed, not looking at either of them as she commented easily. “He can be much, much worse.”

“Why, thank you, darling,” Benedict beamed at his wife then cleared his throat and added, “Speaking of worthy men, my cousin will also attend the house party.”

Almost immediately, Selina’s mood soured considerably.

One would think it was remarkable how easily she knew the ‘cousin’ Benedict had been referring to. Still, he had only ever introduced her to one cousin, and it was hard to forget who that person was.

Especially considering how deeply she hated him.

As if summoned, a butler knocked at the drawing room door and announced, “The Duke of Crauford has arrived.”

Selina felt her finger twitch, barely resisting the urge to pick up something — likely her tea cup — and throw it at his head as he walked into the room.

“Cousin! Welcome!” Benedict grinned, looking quite pleased to be seeing his dear relative.

“Benedict, it is good to see you,” Aaron Bolton, the Duke of Crauford, nodded at him before shifting his attention to Thalia, who looked like she had momentarily considered sitting up straighter to greet him, only to realize that she didn’t need to and was too comfortable now to think of anything else. “You look well, Duchess. I am glad. I am also surprised you haven’t done away with this miscreant yet.”

While Benedict sputtered in outrage, Thalia laughed lightly.

“I have considered it a few times. Alas, he has my heart, and he is of some use still,” she replied good-naturedly.

Aaron nodded as though he could not comprehend such a thing. “I see.”

Then, finally, his gaze rested on Selina.

Almost immediately, she felt a chill settle upon her skin, significantly irritated by the mere sight of him.

“Lady Selina,” he said stiffly with a stern gaze.

It seemed he held as little fondness for her as she did for him. A flash of satisfaction ran through Selina, and she lightly jerked her head back and forth in a single nod of acknowledgment.

“Your Grace,” she replied, tone crisp.

“Please, join us, Aaron.” Benedict quickly gestured to an empty chair before waving over a servant to pour Aaron a cup of tea. “How were your travels?”

“The same as always,” Aaron stated, lifting his teacup to his lips. “I have made the journey enough times to have long since familiarized myself with the route, and as usual, there is nothing different.”

“I am certain that is not why he enquired, Your Grace,” Selina chirped from where she sat. “If we had to be concerned about the likelihood of you getting lost, then perhaps you should not be making any trips at all.”

Benedict snorted and hid his laugh behind a cough, helplessly leaning towards his wife.

Aaron stared at Selina silently for a moment, and unease began to crawl about in her stomach due to his lack of response. Finally, he said, “I did not address my response to you, Lady Selina. Perhaps you should refrain from speaking when you were not spoken to. I see Benedict is yet to teach you any manners.”

Hate filled Selina’s veins, and she parted her lips to snap at him, dissuaded by the look her sister had shot at her. Grumpily, she pursed her lips and looked away from Aaron, feeling ridiculous.

Things had been like this between them ever since their first meeting. All she had done was sneak out of the house for a ride, but then she interrupted an ongoing hunt Benedict had organized for himself and Aaron.

Aaron had believed she was a trespasser and had chased her down, threatening to have her arrested when he had finally caught up with her.

His entitled attitude annoyed her greatly, especially the arrogant way he criticized her behavior.

Now, she had to remain in the same room with him for a while and also potentially take some trip with him to a different estate where they would spend even more time in each other’s company.

How awful, she thought, sparing him a glance.

The Duke of Crauford was engaged in small talk with her brother-in-law, looking the very picture of perfection. Not a single strand of his black hair was out of place, and from where she sat, Selina could see every flash of expression on his usually stoic face.

He might look better — handsome even — if he smiled a bit, Selina scoffed to herself.

Aaron’s obsession with propriety was greatly off-putting. She disliked how he acted above everyone around him, ever believing as though he was a gift of God to the masses.

“Thank you, again, for extending an invitation to me. This is an ideal opportunity to solve this problem, once and for all, as I am certain it would be much easier to find a wife at such a social event. More so, than others, I believe,” Aaron spoke, addressing his cousin.

“Of course,” Benedict nodded. “The more the merrier!”

“Although, I sincerely doubt how ‘ merry’ we can expect any occasion involving him can be. We should expect a change in atmosphere at his arrival,” Selina mumbled under her breath but loudly enough to be heard.

“Selina, for the love of God,” Thalia sighed tiredly, clearly fed up with her sister’s distasteful behavior towards Aaron.

“When did you say the trip would be? In two days?” Aaron questioned, pretending Selina had not spoken at all.

“Um — yes!” Benedict nodded, slightly distracted by the apparent amusement he was receiving from the interaction — or lack thereof — between Aaron and Selina. “Yes, we intend to leave in two days. The party will officially begin the next day, but there’s to be a welcome dinner the night of arrival.”

“I see. I would like us to take my carriage as it would transport all of us comfortably,” Aaron offered.

Benedict agreed easily. “Excellent idea, cousin. Thank you.”

As much as Selina wanted to ignore Aaron, she found herself unable to keep her gaze away for more than a minute.

He was very self-assured in how he spoke and was obviously used to claiming the attention of whatever room he was in. And try as she might to resist, it wasn’t long before Selina was staring at him in something akin to awe and disgust.

“How gracious of you, truly, to offer your carriage while delicately pointing out its size. Generous and humble. You are truly wonderful, Your Grace.” Selina smiled innocently as she refilled her teacup.

Aaron barely glanced at her before he steered the conversation in another direction. Selina bit her lip to keep herself from cursing, feeling the urge to throw something in return.

But then, while Benedict answered his question, Aaron’s gaze settled on Selina firmly.

Selina found herself pinned in place by his gaze, rendered breathless by its intensity. It felt like a lifetime had passed by the time he looked away, but the heat of his stare remained on her skin.

It didn’t take too long before the remaining details of their travel were finalized, and Aaron announced his departure shortly after.

“Are you sure you cannot stay for dinner?” Thalia asked with a slight frown.

“My apologies, Duchess. I have some business to attend to. I shall see you in two days,” Aaron told her gently.

He glanced sideways at Selina, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.

“In any case, it would seem I am not completely welcome, and my value of propriety is causing some guilt to rise in those who know they have much to learn of proper behavior. I do not wish to bring any tension to such an otherwise lovely evening.”

Thalia laughed awkwardly, shooting her sister a glare before she faced her guest once more. “If that is the case, you are forgiven then. We shall see you soon.” Thalia smiled as he took her hand and kissed its back.

“Of course. Take care. Do not let my cousin cause too much trouble,” Aaron teased, his eyes making their way back to Selina as he frowned. “He already had questionable habits before, but I worry that someone in his present company might influence him badly, and together, they might disturb your peace greatly.”

To Selina’s irritation, he sounded utterly sympathetic, and when she turned to Benedict in indignation, he shook his head quickly, silently telling her to behave.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Let me walk you out,” Benedict offered quickly, rising to stand with him.

Aaron nodded, moving to follow Benedict, only to stop in front of where Selina was seated.

“Lady Selina,” he bowed, holding out a hand.

Startled by what was happening, her body seemed to move on its own, and her hand slipped into his.

Slowly, he brought it to his lips as his eyes made their way to her face. The kiss to the back of her hand lingered, filling her cheeks with heat she was sure his fierce stare wouldn’t miss. His touch sent tingles spreading through her body, and his hot breath against her skin rendered her mind blank.

When he finally pulled back, she felt air rush back into her lungs, barely able to hear much besides the loud thrumming of her heartbeat.

Still, his voice cut through the noise, soft and relaxed.

“I’ll see you soon, Lady Selina.”