“Well, I know that boys don’t bleed when they become men,” Selina replied. The idea of men bleeding once a month would have amused her immensely under different circumstances.
“So why do only girls bleed?” Barbara asked indignantly. “I think it’s scarcely fair that I have to bleed and feel so much pain to become a woman, but a boy doesn’t.”
Selina smiled a sad smile and sighed. “I wish I knew. I wish I had the answers. Sadly, I don’t. This is something we as women have always had. And it’s something you must learn to live with.”
Barbara had a distant look on her face. She was terrified. Selina couldn’t blame her. It was not an easy thing for a twelve-year-old girl to understand or deal with.
Selina finished making the bed and sat down beside Barbara. Selina could tell she was in pain from the uncomfortable look on her face. There was next to nothing that Selina could do about that, sadly.
“Can I ask you for a favor?” Barbara said suddenly, startling Selina.
“Of course, anything. What can I help you with?” Selina turned to face Barbara.
“Can you please not tell my brother about this? It’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. Promise me, Selina. Please.”
Barbara sounded very anxious and Selina nodded, taking her hand. “You have my word. The duke will not hear about this, at least not from me. I will keep it a secret for as long as you wish.”
“Thank you,” Barbara said. “Ugh, my stomach hurts. Can I lay down for a little longer?”
“Of course,” Selina replied as Barbara curled up on the bed, a pained grimace on her face. Selina tucked her in and watched the young woman as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Selina felt a stab of sorrow for Barbara. In a way, this was the end of her childhood. She had been telling her the importance of living a little and enjoying the freedom of her youth before she became a proper lady.
This marked the start of Barbara entering the world of womanhood, however. The demands and expectations of her by society were going to start changing soon as people found out she had started seeing her blood.
Selina thought back to when she had first seen hers and how terrified she had been as well. She knew exactly how Barbara felt and made a silent promise to be there for her.
Barbara had started snoring softly, so Selina picked up her stained bedding and clothes, and quietly left the bedroom, making a note to check in on her again later.
CHAPTER15
Morgan didn’t go riding often. Not as much as he had once enjoyed doing. After the death of his parents, he had been forced to abandon several of the things he loved doing the most. He had a dukedom to rule and a young sister to raise, after all.
However, whenever he felt overwhelmed and needed a clear head, he saddled his trusted horse and rode till his bones felt like jelly.
This was one of those days for Morgan. The mansion had become far too clustered for him in the last two days, and he had needed to get away for a little while. So, he took a ride.
Selina had dominated his thoughts since the ball at Lady Alice’s manor house. Every attempt he had made to put her at the back of his mind had been unsuccessful.
He still couldn’t believe how he had been careless enough to say what he had said out loud. He had caught himself, but too late. She had heard enough already, and what he said was enough to turn her into a ghost.
Morgan could still remember her expression. She had blanched, her eyes as wide as a deer when it noticed it was in the path of a deadly predator.
He couldn’t blame her. Could he have expected a different reaction with how cold and confrontational he had always been with her? Certainly not.
He had drunk enough that evening to forget the awkward moment, but his memory remained vivid. He’d slunk out of the party immediately after, drunk and angry.
He had seen neither Selina nor Barbara since then. While Morgan wasn’t actively looking for either of them, he found it strange that he could not find either of them in any of their usual spots.
It didn’t take him much effort to realize that she was avoiding him. Again, he couldn’t blame her. His carelessness had probably left her feeling embarrassed.
A part of him wanted to apologize, but he knew that it was a foolish thing to do. The best course of action would be for them to act as though that night had never happened.
Regardless of his error, he had thoroughly enjoyed the moment they had shared on the dance floor. It was also impossible for him to forget how beautiful she had looked that evening.
Thinking about her now, he could still see her in her beautiful pink dress, standing head and shoulder above every other guest at the ball.
He could imagine she was the talk of the town now, at least amongst the gentry who had seen her that night. He knew that it was only a matter of time before some of the finer lords came calling at her at his home.
