Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

“ Y ou look well.”

Aaron closed his eyes with a sigh, willing his face not to betray the feeling of unease swirling around within him.

“I mean,” Samuel continued, oblivious to Aaron’s dilemma, “I heard you had been gravely injured. Although, I shouldn’t have given my sources that much credit — seeing as they are all hopelessly besotted with you. Still, I expected you to be a tad worse for wear. After all, you did survive the attack of a savage bear.”

The last statement managed to pull Aaron from his thoughts.

“Is that what they are saying? That I was attacked by a bear?” he asked incredulously.

“Some say you were caught off-guard by a boar, and you missed the shot you took as it charged at you. I knew that one was false — because you never miss. But I am curious as to what happened. I suppose Lady Selina was involved somehow?” Samuel questioned back.

The sigh that left Aaron’s lips was heavier than he had intended.

“She had managed to find a wild boar all on her own, but then she startled it before she could take her shot. I managed to get its attention, and I escaped into a tree, but I lost my footing on the way down and fell. My injuries aren’t serious, nothing more than a few scratches and a bruised torso and ego,” Aaron explained easily.

“Ah. I see. That was heroic of you. And quite noble. I thought you would let Lady Selina wander the woods all on her own. Then again, you have always taken your responsibilities seriously,” Samuel said placatingly.

His tone made Aaron wince because Samuel was wrong.

His actions weren’t responsible, neither were they noble.

He was taking things too far, pushing past the boundaries of what should be the limit.

Aaron had been moments away from crossing the line again just that afternoon. Selina had been right there — in his bed, and he had ached to press her against the sheets and ravage her until she was screaming his name.

It would have been so easy — and the very notion had served as proof that he was getting too lost in the seduction of their game.

He had already gone too far the night before, risking not just Selina and his reputation but also his relationship with Benedict, toying with the trust his cousin placed in him.

“I have,” Aaron nodded easily, ignoring the discomforting burn of his lies in his throat. “A duty is a duty. Responsibilities are meant to be handled properly. She needed someone to look after her because she has a knack for getting herself into trouble. It was quite fortunate that I was even there.”

“I understand that, friend, but do you wish to entertain the idea that perhaps Lady Selina might be more to you than a mere task?”

Aaron narrowed his gaze at Samuel. “What are you implying, Bancroft?”

Samuel’s expression turned cheeky. “The eyes do not lie, Crauford. You stare at that woman as though you wish to devour her. It is quite interesting to watch.”

Aaron scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I do not have the time for such notions. I came here for a purpose — to find a wife. I have no interest in those sorts of distractions.”

“So, you admit you find her distracting. Even if she doesn’t catch your eye as a potential wife, she has your attention as a woman. And that is much more dangerous, wouldn’t you agree? Though, I would say she might prove to be a contender for your focus either way, given how taken you seem with her already.”

Aaron finally sat up straighter, using his newfound sitting position to gain some more leverage to glare at Samuel.

“Lady Selina cannot be a marriage candidate for me. Or anything else for that matter.”

His words caused his groin to stir as he recalled her pliant body against his, and he willed his focus not to stray.

“Is that so? I thought you were growing rather fond of her presence. You did allow her to come on the hunt with us.”

“That is because she was clearly intent on getting what she wanted. Arguing with her would have been a waste of time, so I simply tried to move things along. Trust me, it was for the best. She can be quite exhausting to deal with when she wishes to have her way,” Aaron felt the need to point out.

Only to feel irritated moments later. He was well aware of exactly what Selina was like, perhaps more than anyone else currently on this estate.

He knew firsthand how frustrating it was to interact with her. She was far too rebellious, too argumentative, too stubborn. Yet… the mere sight of her made his blood boil.

Aaron was stunned by how much he wanted her, how deeply he craved to feel her in his arms again. But it was not right. Their objectives and wants were too different. And if they were caught, it would spell trouble for her especially.

Of all the foolish and dangerous things to do —

“I think it is commendable what you are doing,” Samuel started, looking as though he expected the words he was about to say would set Aaron off on an angry rampage, “but you have always done this, Aaron. For as long as I have known you, you have put your duty and responsibilities before yourself. You came her to find a wife, yet you are fawning over someone who you believe contradicts everything you desire in the woman who will be your future duchess. If there is nothing there, then you should refocus on what truly matters. Of course, I do not mean that you should neglect her — but I have barely seen you promenade with any of the women I suggested to you. I think —”

“You are right,” Aaron agreed.

Samuel blinked at him, confused by the ease with which Aaron had accepted his words.

“I… I am?” he asked uncertainly.

It was necessary. This foolishness had gone on long enough, and it was time for Aaron to stop risking both himself and Selina and return to what mattered more. Both of them needed to do just that.

“You are. I can look after her from a distance. And tonight, I shall make the acquaintance of some of the women you have spoken to me about. It is best we face our respective businesses that brought us here and forget about the distractions that might hinder us in any way,” Aaron agreed.

Samuel nodded along, still a little suspicious of Aaron’s seemingly easy agreement but ultimately pleased with what he had heard.

“Good.”

It was. If Aaron had any reluctance before, this conversation had erased all of that. Now, he had the conviction to do what was necessary.

No matter how much his gut churned at the thought of it.

“Is she all right, though? Lady Selina. Was she hurt?”

Aaron thought of the way she come to see him earlier. How she had applied the salve to his bruise, fingers shaking as she nervously tried not to look in his eyes. How dejected she seemed when he forced himself to pull back and resist his desires.

Clearing his throat, Aaron shook his head, silently hoping that such thoughts would disperse if he shook his head enough.

“No. She’s fine… actually. Perfectly so.”

Selina was on the verge of losing her mind.

One would expect that she would be used to her thoughts being wholly consumed by him by now. And perhaps she was which was why she had no qualms lying in bed for hours thinking about it. About him.

But this time, there was a heaviness that tainted her otherwise pleasant daydreams fueled by desire.

She had wanted him to touch her. Had actually yearned for his kiss.

And perhaps… even more than that.

Selina couldn’t help but wonder why he had chosen not to hold her even closer or kiss her, her cheeks burning as she realized how much she had wanted him to.

It was terrifying how easily Aaron seemed to cause her defenses to crumble. How quickly he unraveled her dislike for him, twisting it into something greedy and yearning.

It was the way Aaron had looked at her, how deliberate his touches had been, how effortlessly every kiss he had given her before easily stole her breath… everything about it scratching an itch Selina didn’t know she had.

It also unearthed a desire for more, a need to push the boundaries further than they were meant to go. Which felt… dangerously enticing.

It was shameful, that she had come to want… him. But somehow, she knew she was helpless against it.

Selina could barely contain her anticipation as she went down to the dining hall, her body seemingly aching to see him again, unsure of how she would face him, given how he appeared to pull back from her.

Still, she ultimately desired his heavy gaze on her, resolving to be a tad less argumentative with him — a mere consideration towards his thoughtful action on their hunt, nothing more.

Nora cornered her nearly as soon as she stepped into the dining hall, concern written over her face.

“Selina, dearest. Are you all right? I heard that you had a rather scary brush with danger during the hunt. Were you hurt?” she fussed, holding Selina’s hands in hers.

Selina shook her head gently, “No, I wasn’t. I’d gotten a little too excited to be out in the woods again, and I made a slight mistake is all. Thankfully, A— I mean, the Duke is taking my well-being quite seriously, and he was able to distract the boar away in time.”

Nora exhaled in relief. “Thank goodness you’re both all right. I could only imagine how devastated I would have been had you gotten hurt. I won’t tell you not to hunt, but I ask that you express more caution during such activities.”

“I understand,” Selina nodded. “I don’t think I’ll join any more hunting parties while I’m here, anyway. The woods around Thalia’s estate are more familiar to me.”

“I suppose that is fair,” Nora sighed then her lips quirked into a smirk. “It is quite fortunate that Aaron was able to protect you from danger like that. He does seem rather concerned about you.”

As the Duchess spoke, Selina spotted Aaron talking with a group of men from across the room, startled as her heart shook at the sight of him.

“I… I think he merely feels responsible for me. But I do appreciate his concern as it did save me. Perhaps if he were less haughty and conceited, he might make more pleasant company after all.”

Nora’s laugh bore no judgment, and Selina felt less conflicted about her choice of words at the sound of it.

“I can see why you would think so. But I think that you have that opinion because you haven’t spent a lot of time with him. Aaron is… committed to his role. He is very responsible and reliable because he doesn’t know how to be anything else. He had to fight to look worthy of what was rightfully his and is determined to remain worthy. So, I wish you would grant him some leniency over his… less than savory attitude. He is aware of how unique he is, and he takes pride in that — like any other person who has worked hard to attain whatever they have. I just hope that someday, he won’t have to struggle so much to get his way,” Nora replied gently.

Selina let her gaze wander back to the Duke, watching him nod politely as he conversed with a woman, her mind helping her recall the rumors that she had heard of his illegitimate birth.

Except they had not just been rumors as the Dowager Duchess of Crauford had exposed the truth herself.

It had been strange to Selina, who wondered why any woman would wish to make it publicly known that her husband had been unfaithful. Looking back on it now, it was clearer that perhaps her intentions were to sabotage Aaron’s efforts by making him appear unworthy of his title.

And perhaps realizing that granted Selina the urge she did not know she needed to call a truce with the irritating Duke.

At the table, Selina found herself staring at Aaron, who was seated a few chairs down from her on the opposite side, barely paying any attention to her food.

The way his strong hands gripped the cutlery gracefully reminded her of how they had knotted his cravat around her wrists. When he spoke or smiled a little, she recalled with a shiver how those lips had traced her skin, leaving behind a delicious burn over each spot.

He glanced down in her direction at some point, and she froze, flustered that she had been caught but unable to look away. Selina expected Aaron to give her an inquisitive look or even a cocky wink.

But he had simply looked away, leaving her with an uncomfortable chill.

After dinner, she tried to approach him but was intercepted by Lord Honeyfield, whose eyes bore remorse and concern.

“Lady Selina! I am so thankful that you are all right! I heard about the incident —”

“You and everyone else, it seems,” Selina muttered, recalling the looks and whispers that had been spurred each time someone looked in her direction during dinner.

“I am sorry. I should have accompanied you, even though you rejected my offer to stay with you, for your protection,” Isaac said earnestly.

“Oh, you were serious about that? I mean — I beg your pardon, My Lord. I really appreciate the concern, but I assure you, I am quite all right. Do not worry yourself too much,” she responded, hoping she sounded at least mildly appropriate. Her eyes followed Aaron distractedly as he mingled around.

“But I cannot help it! You could’ve been seriously injured. I am glad you weren’t.” He smiled kindly, momentarily hesitating before speaking up again. “Actually, I was wondering if you might do me the honor of letting me accompany you on a walk —”

“I’m sorry, Lord Honeyfield,” Selina cut him off, urgency ringing through her voice as she spotted Aaron leaving the dining room. “I must attend to other matters for a moment. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

His protests went unnoticed as she scurried away quickly, following Aaron.

By the time she made it out of the dining room, he was already down the hall, and she had to run after him to catch up after he made a turn down another corridor.

“Aaron,” she called out after him.

The Duke went still, and then he whirled around to face her with an irritated look in his eyes.

“Lady Selina,” he stated cooly as she walked up to him, “It is highly inappropriate to publicly refer to gentleman of a higher title by his first name unless you are related or betrothed to him. Neither of which apply to us.”

Selina remembered when he had told her to call him by his name and blushed deeply.

“Right. M-my apologies, Your Grace. I forgot myself for a moment. I merely wished to enquire on your well-being.”

He narrowed his gaze and stated in a blank tone, “You seem to do that often — forget yourself. It is an unseemly habit for a woman. And you needn’t worry about me. I am just fine.”

He sounded… hostile. She felt confused by his sudden coldness, and as much as his initial statements annoyed her, she did not wish to fight.

“I’m sorry. I was just concerned —”

“I think that you have developed some false notions after what transpired between us. I merely wished to show you how dangerous it could be for you when you try to take on a challenge greater than you can handle. I expect that the lesson has been well learned, so moving forward I shall no longer attempt to sabotage you. I advise that you focus on finding your match, and I will do the same as well.”

Selina stared at him in confusion, instinctively reaching out to him as he began to turn away. She was shocked when he pulled himself out of her hand with a glare that didn’t resemble the ones he had shot at her before.

Something felt heavier, almost desperate in the way he wanted to keep her in her place. And unsurprisingly, it stirred up the urges within Selina that always wished to go against Aaron and what he wanted.

“You keep changing the rules and expecting me to go along with whatever you please. You do not own me, Your Grace. It is a waste of time, acting as though you have any say over my actions. Perhaps it is you who needs to be aware of the dangers posed by our bet,” Selina snapped, defiantly.

Aaron stared at her, his hands curling into fists by his side, and he stepped back towards her.

“You act so incredibly irrationally and childishly, so much, so often. Always in ways that irritate me greatly. Do not let assumptions of bravery be your ruin. The line between being brave and being foolish is always so unbearably thin — and I do not expect one as hasty as you are to notice what side you are standing on.”

This man is so infuriating , Selina thought though she did not understand why she was against his decision. All she knew was the sharp distaste in her throat at the idea of reverting back to the initial plan of simply focusing of finding a match first. “If I really irritate you so, why have you put up with me for this long then?”

There was something in the way he hesitated at her question, how the tense lines of his body seemed to flinch, and he pursed his lips as though he didn’t wish to speak.

Then he stated grimly, “You seem to think it has been for my benefit, but I assure you, it is not. Even though it is obvious you have learned nothing from the lesson I wished to teach you, I will assume that you have.”

She wanted to protest further, but a cold look from him had her freezing in place, and she could only stare at him helplessly as he walked away from her while saying,

“I do hope you choose to dwell on your objective, henceforth.”