Christine placed a reassuring hand on her sister’s arm. “Well, at least he notices you. The rest of the men here are just so… dull.”
Selina started to reply, but then she caught a movement from across the room. Dominic. His dark gaze had found her at last, cutting through the crowd with that same piercing intensity she had learned to dread. She quickly looked away, forcing herself to focus on Christine.
Before Selina could respond, the dowager duchess approached, her presence commanding attention even without the sparkle of jewels. “Lady Christine, Lady Selina! You both look beautiful tonight,” she said, her gaze lingering on Christine with maternal pride.
Selina stiffened slightly as the dowager’s eyes shifted to her. “I hope you do not mind my borrowing your sister, Lady Christine. I have something I wish to discuss with her.”
The younger sister smiled. “Not at all, Your Grace.” She curtsied and flashed Selina a smile before going to talk to one of the ladies standing by herself.
The dowager smiled at Selina. “Let’s go outside for some fresh air.”
Selina nodded. She was happy to have an excuse to leave the ball. She did not particularly feel like dancing tonight, and she could already hear some whispers about her:
“That’s Lady Selina.”
“She looks like a pauper! Are you sure she shared in her brother’s ill-gotten riches?”
“Absolutely! She cannot properly display her wealth, of course, because then we would all know. But you know how close they were. She probably knows where he is right now.”
I certainly do not, and I do not wish to know.
Selina walked outside to the gardens. “It’s a lovely night, isn’t it, dear?” the dowager duchess said.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“We really do not need to use formalities, dear. We’re going to be family, after all.”
Selina’s heart sank. So the duke hadn’t gotten his grandmother to see reason after all. “Please, Your Grace. That is not necessary. I did not come here with hopes of marrying, just of supporting my sister. The most I hoped for was befriending a lady who would want me as a companion. That is all.”
“Why don’t you want to marry my grandson?” The dowager duchess’s voice was sharp all of a sudden. “Is it because of the rumors?”
Selina frowned. She was beginning to wonder what these horrible rumors were. “I have not heard any rumors about the duke. As you should know, I am the last person to judge someone because of rumors.” A thought suddenly occurred to her. “Is that why you chose me?”
The dowager arched an eyebrow. “Chose you?”
“Yes. I know you led me to the duke’s room on purpose. I just don’t understand why me, of all the women here. Is it because I’m used to rumors and gossip?” It did not seem like a good enough reason to trap someone in marriage, but she could not think of another reason.
“Oh no,” the dowager said. “Although I suppose it is a benefit that you know better than to pay heed to idle gossip. I chose you because you are exactly what this family needs, whether or not my grandson is willing to admit it.” The dowager duchess smiled softly. “I admit, I am surprised you are so resistant to the idea. You will benefit greatly from marrying the duke.”
“I understand,” Selina said. “I would be a fool not to see the benefits of marrying someone with wealth and title, especially considering my own unfortunate circumstances. I merely have no interest in trapping an unwilling man in matrimony. To be frank, I would rather not marry at all. I think I would much prefer the independence that can come with employment thana prison in a loveless marriage. Even if the prison comes with luxury.”
“While I understand your sentiment, I assure you that there is no need for your marriage to Dominic to be loveless. Unless there is another?”
Selina was startled at the thought. “No, I… I had a suitor during my first Season, but I have not seen him in years. It is safe to say our courtship ended when my brother ran off with half the ton’s fortunes.” She hadn’t thought about that man in years.
The dowager duchess looked incredibly relieved about that. “Good. Good. And you are not still in love with that suitor, are you?”
“I do not know if I was ever in love with him.”
“That’s excellent!” She clapped her hands, looking excited. “Then everything is settled. I am so excited that you are joining our family! Let us go back to the ball.”
Selina felt just as bewildered by this conversation with the dowager duchess as the last one. She was sure there was something the older lady was not saying, but she could not imagine what that was. “Could I stay out here, actually? I am not really in the mood for dancing, and I would enjoy walking around the gardens.”
The duchess looked a little disappointed, but to Selina’s relief, she didn’t press the issue. “Take all of the time you need. No one will disturb you out here.”
“Thank you.”
The dowager duchess left to go back inside, and Selina breathed a sigh of relief, enjoying the peace as she started to walk down a garden trail. It was quiet outside, with only flowers and the night sky to keep her company. It was a beautiful night.
