Servants served tea and iced water along with breakfast pastries. The guests were subdued. Many of them had drunk too much the night before and were now paying the price. Selina was happy for it. Everyone was too tired to do anything except mind their own business, so she didn’t have to listen to the incessant whispers.
She was seated with her godmother and Christine at one of the small tables. She helped herself to another cup of tea, trying to perk herself up. Despite going to bed early, she had not slept well the night before.
She couldn’t stop thinking about how good it felt when he was on top of her and how her skin tingled with his touch as he helped her back into her dress. Shame filled her at the thought of thinking of him that way. The duke was a father, after all.
Feeling eyes on the back of her head, she turned around to see Dominic seated at the table with the other duke. He looked quickly away as soon as their eyes met.
She swallowed and turned around. She had no idea what the man was thinking, and that made her uneasy.
Christine looked at her with a furrowed brow. “Is something wrong, Selina? You look ill.”
“I’m perfectly fine, thank you,” Selina said, offering her a tired smile.
Lady Gillray snorted. “Your sister is just coming to terms with her reality. No one wants her.”
Christine sighed. “Lady Gillray, please.”
“I am simply speaking the truth,” she said. Her voice rose slightly in volume, and Selina’s cheeks flushed withmortification. “I did not see her once on the dancefloor last night. She will never hope to have a husband, and to be frank, I have a difficult time believing someone would want her as a governess or a companion either. Not even disappearing for five years is enough to make everyone forget that she is an embarrassment.”
Selina gritted her teeth. “Oh, do speak up, Godmother. I am sure there are some people in Scotland who did not hear you.”
Lady Gillray sneered. “Face it, Selina. Your only option is to work for me. I am not happy about it, either. You’re a headache that I would be glad to be rid of. The things I must do for my goddaughters.” Suddenly, her face paled, and terror flickered across her expression as she looked up, beyond Selina.
She turned to see Dominic standing behind her, his expression full of cold fury as he stared at Lady Gillray. Then, with slow, controlled movements, his eyes shifted to Selina, and he gave her an icy smile as he held out his hand to her. “I believe it is time to tell everyone the good news, darling. Don’t you think so?”
Selina’s stomach flip-flopped. With everyone watching, she had no choice but to take his hand and stand up. For half a second, she expected him to squeeze her hand painfully, but instead, his hand was surprisingly gentle.
She also couldn’t help but notice how much bigger his hand was compared to her own, which sent a small frisson through her.Her stomach clenched with a desire she had never known until now.
They walked to the front of the crowd, so everyone could have a good view of them. Dominic spoke. “I am pleased to announce that Lady Selina and I are engaged,” he said, his deep voice echoing through the open air. “We shall be married in three days’ time, and Lady Selina will be the new Duchess of Greystone.”
Selina wondered if he knew that he looked anythingbutpleased. His voice was full of anger as he made the announcement, and she felt the urge to disappear from everyone’s staring eyes.
Instead, she forced herself to stand tall and put a happy smile on her face. At least one of them should pretend that this was a happy occasion.
The dowager duchess stood up, grinning as the rest of the guests stared at them in stunned silence. “That is so wonderful!” she said. “I am so happy for both of you!” She approached them and hugged Dominic and then Selina. “Congratulations to both of you, and welcome to the family, Lady Selina!”
She turned to face the guests. “On that note, I would like to announce the main event, where another lady can find a chance at love: the Duke Hunt!” She gestured at a footman, who stood at attention off to the side. He nodded and produced a small basket.
“Everyone, take a slip of paper from the basket, then find the person with the matching colored paper. That will be your partner for the event.”
Relieved that the engagement announcement was over, Selina turned to return to her seat, but Dominic grabbed her hand. “You will sit at my table now. After all, you are my betrothed.”
She nodded, feeling her cheeks burn. However, she couldn’t resist looking at Lady Gillray, who looked shocked, her mouth comically wide open. Next to her, Christine gave Selina an encouraging smile.
Austin was still sitting at Dominic’s table. He smiled at Selina as she took her seat. “Congratulations, my lady,” he said. “When I introduced myself to you yesterday, I did not know I was speaking to my best friend’s betrothed.”
She glanced at Dominic, whose face was carefully neutral as he avoided eye contact with her. She found it hard to believe they were best friends because she couldn’t think of a more unlikely duo. But she smiled at the Velvet Duke, wondering how much he knew about the circumstances surrounding their engagement.
“Everything happened quite fast,” she said.
He chuckled. “These things often do.” Then, with a mischievous gleam in his eye, he leaned a little closer. “But if you change your mind, there’s still time. I’m perfectly available.”
Dominic’s hand stilled around his brandy glass. It was a small movement, but Selina caught it, and so did Austin, who offered a knowing smirk.
The Stone Duke’s expression remained composed. “Best you don’t test our friendship, Austin.”
The Velvet Duke’s confident smile flickered.
