Once again, there had been a slight knot of irritation in his belly as he heard the men standing close to him whisper between themselves, asking who Selina was and where she had come from.
Because of that irritation, he impulsively asked her to dance.
It was more nerve-racking than he had imagined.Ugh! What in the world were you thinking asking her for a dance?
There was no getting away from it, however. All he had wanted was to prevent anyone else from dancing with her. Now, he had to do the honors himself.
While Morgan did not get to dance often, seeing how scared people often were of him, he knew he wasn’t a bad dancer. He was well-educated, and dancing was a prerequisite of his broad education.
As a result, he acknowledged and respected Selina’s dancing skills, which were as impressive as her ability with the pianoforte.
He wondered what the depth of Selina’s story really was. It was possible that her and her family were connected to a higher noble in the past. An earl or marquess, perhaps?
Well, that would generally involve you talking to her more, would it not?Morgan chided himself quietly, frowning.
Morgan cleared his throat. He couldn’t understand why she made him so nervous. “So, how are you enjoying your time so far?”
Selina raised her head to look at him. “I beg your pardon?”
Only after Selina had replied did Morgan realize that his words had been barely louder than a breath.
Morgan quickly cleared his throat again. “I was asking, how Barbara has been progressing with her studies?”
Selina’s face lit up immediately at the mention of Morgan’s sister. It was a wide contrast from the placid expression she had been wearing as she danced with Morgan.
On the one hand, Morgan felt jealous that Selina’s expression had been so solemn as she danced with him. On the other hand, he loved that the mention of his sister could make Selina smile as beautifully as she had just done.
When would I ever be able to make her smile like that?Morgan thought to himself.Wait… why do I care?Morgan snapped out of thought as he noticed that Selina had started speaking.
“… I mean, Barbara is such an intelligent young lady,” Selina was saying excitedly. “She’s extremely gifted at every single thing she has picked up so far. Both the pianoforte and dancing. She’s taken to embroidery naturally, and has unbelievable skill…”
Morgan listened proudly as Selina praised Barbara extensively. He’d never had a governess work long and well enough to hear them give such a wonderful and detailed report on his sister’s academic progress before.
“I believe she’s going to be a great lady,” Selina continued. “I assure you that you have nothing to be fearful about. Moreover, when her time comes to join the ton, she will most definitely be the diamond of every season. I’m certain of it.”
Morgan frowned. “Once again, I don’t want her to be a diamond ateveryseason. I want her to have one season, in which she finds her perfect match.”
Selina looked up at Morgan and sighed. “You know, it’s not exactly that easy to find the perfect match.”
Morgan shrugged. “Well, if she’s perfect in every way, then there’s no way that she doesn’t find the perfect match.”
Morgan spun Selina, pulled her hand slightly as she spun away from him, and pulled her back towards himself. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and together they turned in step to the right.
“And what happens if the men at the season are not perfect?” Selina asked quietly, tilting her head at Morgan. “What then?”
Morgan paused for a moment, thinking about what Selina had just asked him. Obviously, he had never considered such a scenario before.
The more he thought about it, the more correct Selina was. Truly, what man was deserving of his sister?
Selina watched him quietly with her eyes narrowed. “Exactly. It seems you have not realized the part where her getting a perfect match means she ends up with a man. Will she not need more seasons if there is no man that is worth a match at her first one?”
Morgan became pensive. Surely, he couldn’t allow his sister to marry just any man. As Selina had pointed out, he had been thinking that Barbara becoming perfect was all that was required for a perfect match. How wrong and naive he had been.
All the men at that time would desire his sister, Morgan was certain. But now that he considered it, would there be any in their number that would be worthy enough for her?
Selina, who had been watching Morgan the whole time, laughed softly. Morgan snapped out of his pondering at the sound, then shook his head resignedly.
“It seems you have once again challenged me to change my view on things,” he said grudgingly.
