I have made a great deal of trouble for Arthur. Trouble that he does not deserve. And what further trouble will I bring? What if father discovers that I am here? What if someone recognized me this evening?
Kissing Arthur in public, in front of such refined guests would hurt his reputation and destroy her own. But she could not bring herself to run away again. For so long now, the goal had been Valebridge and Arthur. Upon finding him, her dreams had come true. He was more handsome and chivalric than she could have hoped, even with the scar that she had somehow forgotten about. Now, Selina simply wanted to be comforted in his strong arms. To feel safe once more.
She changed out of the servant’s dress and put on a night dress, as though to confirm to herself that she would remain until at least the morning. For a while she sat at the dressing table, combing out her long, fair hair. It lay now about her shoulders, dark with moisture. Her pale reflection stared back at her in the opaque black windows. Beyond the window was the South Downs. Out there, somewhere, was the Lost Valley. At the heart of that valley was the Fairy Dell.
The recollection of the names that she and Arthur had given to those places made her smile briefly. But the reality of her predicament washed away the good feeling of those memories. Her brow furrowed and she pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her bare arms around them. Tears pricked her eyes, and she rested her head on her hands. Sleep had begun to encroach when there came a knock at the door.
Selina lifted her head, scrubbing at her face with the heel of her hands.
It will be Gracie. She has been so kind and thoughtful. I should tell her she is relieved of her duties for the night, let the poor girl get some sleep.
“Come in, Gracie,” she called.
The door opened. But it was not Gracie who stood there. It was Arthur.
CHAPTER9
Marcus had spent a good part of the night fostering up liquid courage for what he was about to do next. But now that he was finally here, he was transfixed on the threshold by the vision before him. Selina stood, barefoot in her nightdress. It was a white cotton garment that left her arms bare and covered her to the throat. It did not adhere to her body, which Marcus knew to be slender but curved in a delightfully feminine way. But that did not matter. He knew that only a flimsy layer of cotton lay between her body and him. It would be the simplest thing to remove.
Stop it! She kissed you while under the influence of alcohol and recovering from a fever. And believing you to be someone else besides! Stop thinking of her as a lover. Especially now that you are under the influence yourself, you buffoon.
The truth was that Selina was more like his ward. She needed his protection. He needed her co-operation. This arrangement must be carried out as a transaction. It would gain her safety and him a healing draught for his ailing reputation.
And that is all! There is nothing else on the table!
But he could not tear his eyes off Selina. She stood before him unashamed. Not scandalized that he had seen her in her nightdress. Not running and hiding. It was as though she had finally recovered all of her senses and realized that she did not need to hide from him. The only sign of her anxiety was the way her toes dug at the threadbare carpet. Marcus bit at his lower lip and saw Selina smile.
“I remember that. You always used to do that,” she said.
Marcus forced a smile and turned to the door. “May I?” he asked.
She nodded and he closed it and stepped further into the room.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, rubbing the fingers of one hand against the palm of the other, feeling awkward.
“Sober,” Selina said wryly.
“I suppose that at least makes one of us. I should have thought that wine would not be the best refreshment after two days in bed. I should have had the cook prepare apple juice. Or milk. I apologize.”
“You don’t need to, Arthur. I was the foolish one who drank too much and then didn’t have the good sense to stay in her room.”
Perhaps I should have the good sense to do the same and return to mine.
“—And please don’t blame Gracie. The poor girl was exhausted. I wanted to let her sleep.”
“I would not. She is a good worker and kind-hearted,” Marcus finally said. “Look, we have a lot to talk about. Shall we sit?”
Selina took a seat at one end of the chaise, Marcus sat at the other. His heart was thudding, and he felt heat in his cheeks. He tried to keep his eyes on his hands, or on the fire, but she pulled them like iron filings to a magnet. She had turned to face him, one leg tucked under the other. He told himself that there was nothing inappropriate in this, the material of the nightdress was relatively thick and was certainly not indecent. She was not behaving in any way lewdly, but there was a quality about her that excited him.
Damn Arthur for knowing her when I could not. Damn him the good fortune of being father’s favorite. I shivered in the Cumbrian hills while he frolicked with this…angel.
“Selina,” he began, “will you tell me first how you came to be here in such extraordinary circumstances? I believe I have a plan of action, but it would be helped by all available facts.”
She nodded and Marcus was glad that Luke’s recollections about the Voss family had proved correct.
“As you know, I lived at Sawthorne Manor with my father, the Earl. It has not been the easiest of relationships and I have been conscious, since my debut, that I am reliant upon him while contributing nothing. I had always thought to myself that when I marry, I shall be able to repay my father for everything he has done for me. My education, my board even. But…the right husband has not presented himself.”
Marcus found himself somewhat charmed by her frankness and by her honest desire to make her own way in the world. Plenty of young women born into noble families would think only of society balls and powerful husbands to replace their wealthy fathers. At least that was his view.
