Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“ W hat do you mean she’s gone?”

Nora sighed deeply. “She came to me at the crack of dawn and asked if I could have a carriage take her home. I obliged her request because she seemed rather insistent.”

“Why?” Aaron could barely keep himself from snapping at Nora. “We came together. I was the one who was responsible for her well-being, and we were meant to leave together. How could you simply let her leave like that?”

“Why? How?” Nora blinked at him quizzically. “I’m confused, dear, why are you so bothered by the fact that she left without you?”

“I —” Aaron stopped, realizing he wasn’t sure how to explain his reaction without giving away his true feelings.

But… why? Was she upset with him? Had he bothered her again? Why would she just leave without speaking to him?

It was frustrating how his questions seemed endless, and there were no answers forthcoming.

His turmoil was apparently not hidden from Nora, who was watching him with a knowing look, and he forced himself to regain his composure.

“It wasn’t right. I had expected us to leave together because we arrived together. It was improper of her to not at least inform me of her departure,” he stated, clearing his throat.

“But you were informed. I just told you of her whereabouts,” Nora said with a grin.

“Beforehand,” Aaron gritted out, annoyed.

“Stop teasing him, sweetheart,” Samuel told his wife gently. “Or he will not invite us to the wedding.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Samuel beamed innocently, much to Aaron’s discomfort. “Do not worry, we ensured that it was our best coachman who took her back in our most comfortable carriage. She will be just fine.”

It was a struggle to release his anger, but Aaron knew deep down that he had no right to be angry in the first place. He had no claim on Selina; whatever she wished to do was ultimately her decision.

Be that as it may, it was still uncomfortable to accept that she had no qualms about leaving him behind without even saying goodbye.

Nora’s knowing gaze continued to urge him to spill the secrets clawing at his chest, but he skillfully ignored her.

There was no use in addressing any of them anyway.

“I’d started to think that you had forgotten all about us,” Benedict complained softly.

Selina laughed, hoping they would not notice that her eyes carried no mirth, and the sound felt hollow as it rattled around in her chest.

“I could never. Especially not after becoming an aunt to this precious little princess,” she said in a same gentle tone as she stared down at the bundle in her arms.

As if on cue, the child yawned, making everyone around her coo fondly.

“My goodness,” Selina sniffed, eyes filling with tears suddenly at the tug of adoration in her heart. “She is so lovely. You are the loveliest being on earth, little Lily.”

“Please, never leave us again,” Benedict begged, only half joking. “Having you here for these past two weeks have been so relieving.”

Selina had given herself a week to compose herself. A week to put all that had happened in Nora’s estate behind her. A week to forget about Aaron’s kisses and searing touches.

The week had been nowhere near enough, but she had made do with what she had, busying herself with caring for her father until she could work up the courage to face her sister.

It was so difficult, to bring news of her failure to find a husband after Thalia had insisted that she attend the party — which resulted in her missing the birth of her niece. She knew her sister would not pass any cruel judgement or make any comments that might imply that perhaps Selina was better off staying back.

Still, she felt ashamed and tired. And because the single week that followed her departure from the Bancroft estate had been wholly insufficient, she could feel the pain from her heartbreak bleeding through the cracks of the facade she had hastily put together.

“It has been my pleasure to help. Alas, I must return home soon. Father has apparently been invited for some dinner at a business partner’s estate, and he wishes to attend. I couldn’t talk him out of it, so I must be his escort.” Selina sighed.

“Your presence will be greatly missed,” Thalia said to her softly.

Selina had done all she could to help her ease whatever burdens might have weighed heavily on the new mother her sister had become, overseeing Lily’s care as much as she could, so Thalia could get some rest.

Thalia had been vocal on how much Selina’s assistance had eased many of her burdens, but Selina could tell that Thalia knew something wasn’t quite right with her.

Thalia cleared her throat suddenly and said to her husband,

“I am feeling positively parched, darling. Could you have one of the maids make me some citrus tea?”

“Oh, of course, my love.” Benedict nodded right away, quickly slipping out of the room to fetch his wife some tea.

Thalia had waited until a minute passed after Benedict’s departure before she spoke up again.

“You have refused to speak about it. Your time at Nora’s party. Were you able to find your love match?”

Selina hesitated then she admitted quietly, “I did. But it was not reciprocated.”

Thalia’s face was immediately clouded by sadness, and Selina tried to quickly wave away her concerns.

“It is fine. I learned that perhaps I had expected far too much out of life. It is all right.”

“Father is worried for you, Selina,” Thalia said quietly. “He mentioned it to Benedict in passing — how much he wished for you to find someone who could take care of you. I wish I could have been there. I feel bad that I could not support you in your time of need.”

Selina shook her head gently, rising up to place the baby into her bassinet. “It is not as though you could postpone the birth of your daughter, Thalia. You have already done so much for me. This… this burden is mine to bear. For my foolishness. Because I fell in love with someone I should not have… I fell in love with Aaron.”

It took a moment for Selina’s quiet words to reach her sister, and it was evident the moment they sunk in because Thalia’s eyes widened.

“Aaron? As in —”

“Yes. Out of all the men in that house — all the men on Earth, my heart chose the one who does not believe in love,” Selina stated, tears filling her eyes. “I want to move past it. I keep trying, but it is as though I left my heart in his hands without realizing it.”

Thalia rose out of her seat and pulled her sister into her arms, gently stroking her hair the way she would whenever Selina was upset when they were children.

“It will get better. You are a remarkable, strong young woman, and you will overcome this. It will take some time, but I believe in you and your strength,” Thalia told her softly.

Selina held onto her sister as she cried, letting the familiar warmth soothe her broken heart, praying to God that her sister was right, and the pain would eventually fade.

“Surely you could have sent someone else in your stead, father.”

Jerome Fletcher, Earl of Windham, smiled gently at his daughter and shook his head a little.

“Not this time, poppet. My presence was required by my associate, and I felt strong enough today to attend. It is an honor that we were invited at all, and it would be a waste to simply ignore it,” he said.

Selina sighed softly, losing the will to argue as the carriage peeled away from their estate.

Her father had been rather insistent on her accompanying him to a dinner party hosted by one of his numerous business partners, and she had initially declined, arguing that she did not feel like going anywhere, not since Nora’s party four weeks ago.

“I have noticed, petal.” Jerome had frowned worriedly. “It has been weeks since your return from the house party hosted by the Duchess of Bancroft, and you have barely ventured out of your room. If you aren’t keeping to yourself, you are fussing over my well-being. I appreciate all your care, my dearest flower, but I do not wish to be the reason you choose to give up on having a life of your own.”

Selina hated that she had caused him to worry, hating herself for being so weak; her wallowing was obvious.

Ultimately, she agreed to go with him because she was also worried about him. Ever since her return, his health seemed to be worsening, and there were moments she feared he would slip away from her at any moment.

One would have thought that busying herself with her father’s care would completely take her mind off Aaron. However, that was not the case. Thoughts of him haunted her whenever she was left idle, and she felt his touch in her dreams.

She often wondered how much longer she had to keep herself together before the healing of her heart would eventually begin. On the worse days when she could barely hold herself together, she wondered if perhaps she might never recover.

“A night away from home will do us both some good,” her father assured her softly, and she felt herself smile in return.

It took a while to arrive at the residence of her father’s associate. Selina was stunned silent by the grand estate sitting on a magnificent lawn. It stood tall and proud, and she thought it could certainly rival Nora and Samuel’s home.

As they disembarked from the carriage, Selina realized she was never told who this business associate was.

A butler led them to a dining hall, announcing them once the door was opened.

“Lord Windham and his daughter, Lady Selina.”

Selina stepped into the hall, preparing to greet her host, only for her body to go still with shock.

Because standing a few feet in front of her were Aaron and Bridget.

“Good evening, Your Graces. Thank you again, for the invitation,” her father spoke up.

“The honor was mine. I am glad you could come, Lord Windham,” Aaron nodded at Jerome then his gaze shifted to Selina. “Lady Selina. It is good to see you again.”

Tingles spread over her heart, and it took everything within her not to stumble as she curtsied.

“Your Grace.”

As the butler showed them to their seat, she could feel the familiar tingling of being watched, and she belatedly wondered how she would survive this dinner.

Especially when she sat down and spotted a familiar face smiling at her from where she sat.

“Lady Selina. How delightful to see you again.”

Selina nodded, the words tasting like sand in her mouth as she replied quietly, “Likewise, Lady Eleanor.”

If Eleanor had also been invited, it likely meant that the Duke had seriously begun to court her.

The misery filling her veins felt cold and heavy, and Selina wished she could simply leave.

Such a choice was unavailable to her, so she forced herself to endure what would likely be the most uncomfortable dinner of her life.

What infuriated her the most was how unfazed Aaron seemed to be. Although their eyes never met, she could feel him looking at her, but otherwise, he didn’t seem to care too much about her presence. He spoke calmly and cordially whenever any of the other guests spoke up to him, showing just how well-mannered and proper he was.

It was almost… refreshing to see him act so naturally.

“Don’t slouch, child. It is unbecoming of a young lady.”

Selina’s mind returned to focus on the present, and she glanced at the others seated at the table, trying to find out who had spoken and who was being addressed.

It took a moment for her to realize the other guests were staring at her, and she blinked back in confusion.

“I’m sorry?”

Bridget sighed as though she had never been so incredibly frustrated in her life.

“You have such horrendous posture. Sit up properly.”

Embarrassed, Selina straightened her form, dropping her gaze to her plate, unable to handle the eyes on her.

“I had assumed as much at the Bancroft estate, but it is rather disappointing to see I was right. It seems you haven’t been trained properly which is shameful for one so young. How old are you, child? Perhaps you are not meant to make social appearances if you still possess such graceless habits, hm?” the Dowager Duchess pressed insistently.

All her questions were mortifying, even more so because there were other people gathered around the table. It was utterly humiliating to be subjected to such degradation, and not for the first time that evening, Selina wished she had stayed at home.

“I apologize on my daughter’s behalf, Your Grace,” Jerome said calmly. “I suppose she simply felt a tad too comfortable in your home —”

“What would your mother say if she knew what a disgrace you were? Perhaps she should have worked harder to ensure you wouldn’t grow up into such a disappointment. Have you no shame?” Bridget asked coldly.

Selina could swear she felt her heartbeat slow down before rising again with white-hot fury.

“You’d have to ask her yourself, Your Grace, seeing as she passed away when I was eleven.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop, and Selina felt as though the next thing she heard would push her over the edge.

The Dowager Duchess looked as though she was moments from climbing over the table to strangle Selina with her bare hands.

“You incompetent, spoiled —”

“Leave.”

Aaron’s voice sent a chill through Selina’s veins, and her eyes shifted to him fearfully.

Bridget stared down at her in triumph, and Selina lowered her eyes in shame before attempting to rise out of her seat.

“Not you,” Aaron’s voice stopped her as clear as day.

Then he shifted his eyes to his stepmother. “You should leave.”

“Aaron, she —” Bridget started to complain as she turned to her stepson, her face taking on a red hue at a concerning speed when he raised a hand to silence her.

“It doesn’t matter. If you cannot control your temper or curb your urge to lash your tongue, then you may leave. I will not have you needlessly harassing my… guests,” Aaron said firmly.

Bridget made a sound of indignation but said nothing else, allowing the dinner to proceed as it was meant to, except that now, it seemed the other guests were afraid to talk.

Selina glanced at Aaron moments after he dissolved the situation and caught him looking away from her, unsure of what to think or feel.

After the dinner ended, the guests retired to the drawing room for some casual conversation and drinks, but Selina wasn’t keen on spending any more time in a room with Aaron so close by.

She snuck away from the other guests and her father as soon as she could, wandering down the corridors until she found the library.

As she wandered between the shelves, she let herself think of the fact that Aaron kept looking in her direction for the entirety of dinner.

“Perhaps he is still upset that I left without telling him,” she mused softly, running her fingers down the spine of a book.

She had assumed he would be angry that she hadn’t told him, but she couldn’t face him that day, no more than she thought she could bear sitting with him for hours in a carriage.

Not when her heart had also begun to yearn for him.

The opening of the library door startled her out of her thoughts, and she turned around to see Aaron walk in and shut the door behind him.

Although it seemed as though her heart and body were quaking with joy at the sight of him, the words that left her mouth said otherwise.

“Have you gone mad?” She stared, wondering why he would take such a risk in his own home when the woman he was courting was a few doors away.

“I have something I wish to tell you. And I will not leave until you have heard me out,” he demanded, folding his arms.

She nearly laughed, wondering where he had found the audacity to call her stubborn before when he was no different.

“Fine,” she agreed begrudgingly.

But he did not speak, not at first, simply staring at her as though he were searching for something. Although it confused her, she quietly allowed it, using the opportunity to study him with her gaze.

It had been easier to ignore it at dinner, but she had truly missed him. She missed his cheeky smirk, his sinful, troublesome mouth, and his touch that had scorched her each time but left her wanting more.

Being here like this with him was difficult.

Aaron took a single step closer. “You look well.”

“I am well,” she responded, a tad defiant.

“Good. I am glad.”

Her heart thrummed with dangerous hope, but she did not stuff it out, even though she knew it would be the end of her.

He regarded her with an amused expression.

“You have nothing to worry about, Lady Selina — not after everything that has happened between us anyway.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she scoffed in a bid to distract him from her obvious embarrassment.

“Is that all you wished to say?”

“No,” he shook his head quickly. “I wanted to speak with you about our bet. Or rather, how you called it off. We both agreed to participate in the challenge, and as such, we both needed to consent to the cancellation of the bet. And I never gave my consent. Additionally, it was quite clear that you had chosen to quit because you had lost. I found myself a match, and I would like to receive my reward as per our agreement.”

“Look at you, unable to keep yourself from gloating about your win,” she heard herself say in a bid to pretend her destruction had not come.

Selina had thought her heart couldn’t break even further but hearing that Aaron had decided that Eleanor was truly the woman he would prefer to spend the rest of his life with reduced the shattered pieces to ash.

“Is gloating not a part of the winner’s reward? It should be — I worked hard to earn my win.”

“It is not. And I object to any more alterations to the rules. At this point we might as well cancel it entirely because it barely makes any sense with how many changes the challenge underwent since it begun.”

Aaron sighed, long-suffering. “All right. As you wish. I shall speak no more of gloating.”

They were silent for a moment, and just as the weight that had settled upon them earlier returned, Selina felt the need to have a question answered ignite within her.

“Have… have you proposed to Lady Eleanor yet?” she asked quietly.

Aaron hesitated then he replied, “No, I haven’t. But I still made if further than you did.”

He wasn’t wrong. He had stuck to what he believed in and had come out more successful than she had.

“Congratulations,” she said in a quiet tone, willing herself not to burst into tears there and then. “W-What is it then? What would you like as your reward? You won fair and square, and I will honor our deal and give you whatever you want as long as it is in my power to do so.”

Aaron was silent for a moment then stepped towards her, his gaze locked on hers. Selina tried to look away, but she was pinned in place, helpless under his watchful green eyes.

When he was a mere foot away, he spoke up, soft and quiet, as though he was afraid to startle her. Then he reached out to her, the knuckles of his fingers brushing against her cheek gently, causing her to stiffen as she resisted the urge to give in to his touch.

To give into him.

“Darling,” he crooned, and her resistance fell apart as she felt herself shift closer towards him, yearning and aching as he cupped her face with his hand, his thumb tracing the edge of her bottom lip.

“What I want as my reward is —”

The doors suddenly opened, and the guests, Dowager Duchess, Eleanor, and Jerome, stepped into the library.

Selina felt her heart sink as Aaron’s hand fell away, and she realized what the scene before them must look like and what that meant for her and Aaron.

They had been caught in a scandal.

Strangely, even as she faced a different doom from what she had expected, Aaron’s eyes never strayed from hers.