“I do not wish to tell the details, even to you.” They were too embarrassing—besides, the fewer people who knew about the unpleasant business, the better.
“It must be bad, then!”
“It’s embarrassing,” she said. “Besides, I might have misspoken. I think it is a misunderstanding. I’m sure I am not getting married.” The more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed that she even considered it a possibility.
After Christine was in her dress, Selina handed her the modest jewelry set aside for the ball. Surely, the two of them would be the most simply dressed, but at least Christine looked the part of a proper young lady, and a beautiful one at that.
“Can you at least tell me who the groom is supposed to be?” Christine put on her necklace as Selina started to arrange her hair.
She hesitated for a moment before saying. “The Duke of Greystone.”
Christine shrieked and turned to look at her, her eyes wide. “You cannot!”
“Like I said, it was probably a misunderstanding.”
“I hope so,” she said, her voice slightly breathless. “For your sake.”
“Why do you say that?” Selina grabbed her sister’s shoulders and turned her back around so she could finish arranging her hair.
“You have not heard about what happened?”
“No. Remember, I have been away for a long time.”
Christine looked conflicted. “Well, he was married before. His first wife passed away.”
No wonder he was so angry at the thought of marrying again. “I am sorry to hear that, but I don’t understand why his being a widower shocks you so much.”
She bit her lip. “Perhaps not. Now that I think about it, I truly do not know anything, just some rumors. And I should know better than to listen to rumors.” She said the last part quietly.
Selina shuddered to think about what rumors Christine had heard about her own family.
When Christine was ready, Selina smiled at her. “You look beautiful,” she said. “You’ll be the envy of all of the ladies tonight.”
Christine giggled. “Hardly. The best I can hope for tonight is to fade into the background. But perhaps a bored gentleman will take pity on me and ask me to dance.” She looked at Selina and frowned. “Oh my goodness, you have no jewelry! How did I just notice? One moment, I have a spare somewhere.”
“It’s quite all right,” Selina said quickly. “I don’t mind. Let’s just join the ball, yes? Lady Gillray will already be out there, and they will start the dancing soon.”
Christine nodded and took a deep breath. “I am afraid I’m nervous. But it shall be fun.” She smiled and took her sister’s hand before they made their way to the ball.
Dominic reluctantly made his way to the ball. He was in no mood to listen to all of the rumors about him, or to face his… betrothed. As soon as he set foot in the ballroom, he heard the whispers.
“Is that the Stone Duke?” someone whispered.
“Do you think it’s true… that he was so cruel his wife left him?” another lady responded.
“Left him? His wife isdead!”
Dominic tuned them out before his temper could rise. He heard the laughter before he saw her. A bright, silvery sound—too free, too inviting. It curled through the ballroom and found him like a hook.
And there she was. Selina. Smiling up at his best friend as though the man’s every word were a gift.
Something in him went cold. He crossed the room in measured strides. The crowd parted without thinking. People always did when he came near.
“Austin,” he said at last, his voice low and steady. “I was unaware you had taken an interest in Lady Selina.”
Austin turned, grinning. “Interest, yes. But only a passing one. You’ve the look of a man ready to duel me at dawn. Tell me, Dominic, must I beg forgiveness for daring to speak to a lady?”
Selina’s chin lifted at once. “You make it sound as though I am a possession, Your Grace. Am I not allowed to have a conversation with the guests?”
