“Anyhow, yes, thatwasthe plan. A quick ceremony and a couple of days later, some heirs on the horizon. You know. No fuss.”
“No, sadly, I do not know what it’s like to not fuss over love.” Selina pouted.
“I surely am not searching for love!” he retaliated.
“And I surely believe you.” But she clearly did not.
“Where is my good friend, and why has he left me with his tyrant wife?” Austin pretended to search for Dominic.
Selina laughed. “He should be here shortly; he had some errands to run.”
“Ah, such is the life of a duke.”
Austin had some errands to run as well. A solicitor to see and an article to write with Deena. He looked around again but did not find her anywhere, and his stomach churned.
What if something happened to her?
“Austin?” Selina was staring at him concernedly.
“Have you seen Lady Deena this morning?” he asked too quickly.
Selina frowned, deep in thought. She took a moment before she answered, causing Austin to worry even more.
“Yes, I did see her,” she eventually said, and Austin immediately relaxed. “But it was only a few seconds. I went to her chamber to wish her luck for the game and inform her that Dominic and I got her a dress for this afternoon.”
Austin nodded, glad that she was safe and not harmed in any way. They had to remain vigilant until they heard back from her blackmailer. The stranger’s sudden silence after the article was overbearing but Austin had a plan to track the man or woman behind the threats.
“Are you going to explain to me why you’re asking about my sister-in-law or leave me guessing?” Selina interrupted his thoughts.
“I simply have some questions for her, nothing more.” The letters burned his pocket like a fiery reminder.
“All right.” Selina shrugged. “Have you even an inkling of which girl you want to marry after the Gallop?” she continued to prompt him.
“No,” he replied after a moment.
“Why not?” Selina looked genuinely disappointed.
“Because now I find myself wanting…” He trailed off, jaw tightening when he realized what he was about to admit.
“Wanting what? Do not leave me in suspense again!”
“I do not know, Selina. I believe I want…more?”
Selina’s brows lifted, and she gaped in utter surprise. “Am I imagining things, or have you suddenly become romantic about marriage?”
This time, Austin snorted. “I’ll not have this conversation with the woman who married the Stone Duke.”
She laughed, bright and delighted. “Touché.Though in my defense, your friend’s stone façade cracked spectacularly once he met the right woman.”
Austin’s expression softened. “Yes, that is true. Unfortunately for me, velvet doesn’t crack.”
Selina studied him. “Are you all right, Austin? The gossip sheets are full of your… charitable exploits and thetonis eating them up.”
He shrugged. “Why shouldn’t I be? Scandal slides off me. It always has. At least, I won’t be exiled and lose my place in England.”
Selina’s eyes widened with realization and Austin smiled at her knowingly. He hadn’t meant to bring up Deena again, but the words had already spilled out of him.
“The worst that happens to a scandalous man is a raised eyebrow and a temporary dip in invitations,” he continued.
