Robert’s expression relaxed and he even looked chagrined. Selina watched the transformation in awe. He truly had been changed by love over the years. The Robert she knew once upon a time would have reacted quite differently. Not cruelly, of course, he’d never been like their father in that way. But he wouldn’t have softened.
“For Baldwin and Helena, of course,” he said. “I realize Baldwin needs to secure Winford’s support for his latest venture with Grayson Danford. I just want to make it clear I do not like the man.”
“No one likes the man, not even his own wife,” Katherine said with a small laugh. “The things we do for love.”
“Indeed,” Robert said, playfully stern.
“Is that what you do now?” Nicholas said softly. “Help the unfortunate?”
Robert’s playfulness vanished in a moment as he jerked his gaze to Nicholas. “Are you referring to Baldwin?”
Nicholas shrugged. “The Duke of Sheffield’s financial fall and the slow rebuilding of his empire are not unknown, even in lowly circles such as my own.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed, and it was clear he felt defensive of his old friend. One of a group of dukes their brother had run with all his life. A club he was closer to than his own siblings, truth be told.
“If you know he isrebuildinghis empire, then you know heisn’tunfortunate. I help those I care about, Nicholas. Including you and our sister, if you two would not be so bullheaded at every turn.” Robert pushed his shoulders back. “I think I’ll take a turn on the terrace, if you don’t mind excusing me. I’ll be back momentarily.”
Katherine sighed as Robert exited the room. She glanced at Nicholas briefly. “The way you hold yourself back from him, sometimes I fear you judge him for what he once was. I wish you could see him for what he’s become.”
Then she followed where her husband had gone, leaving the remaining siblings behind. For a moment there was an awkward silence, then Morgan crossed the room and he and Nicholas stepped away to talk quietly.
Selina found herself moving toward Lizzie. The younger woman lit up as she came near, and Selina couldn’t help but smile. No wonder Morgan loved her. She was light and sweet and everything his previous life had not been.
“They’ll work it out,” Lizzie said as Selina reached her.
Selina looked back over her shoulder. Nicholas’s jaw was set, but he was listening to whatever it was Morgan was saying to him. “I assume they will. I wasn’t worried.”
“Weren’t you?” Lizzie asked softly. When Selina glanced back at her, she shook her head. “Of course, I would not presume to tell you how you feel. But I hope you’ll at least consider Katherine’s invitation to their fete.”
Selina smiled at her, this woman who had lived such a sheltered life. Certainly she couldn’t understand what Selina was, who she’d always been. How she was proud of both those things, despite what Society would say to the contrary. “Well, Nicholas refuses him. Are you going to speak to him, too?”
Lizzie laughed a little. “I think my husband is doing a fine job already. And he and Robert are very different. It might take some time for them to…find their way.”
“Oh.” Selina blinked. “You think that Robert and I must find our way,thatis why you encourage me to take the invitation.”
Lizzie looked off toward Morgan, her expression softening with love. “I know the understanding Morgan and Robert have come to over the last few months has been very important to him. I would only wish an increased closeness like that on all the children of the last Duke of Roseford. For their sake and for Robert’s.”
Selina considered the statement. She and Robert spoke, of course. The fact that she was invited to and had chosen to attend this gathering tonight proved their relationship wasn’t outwardly strained. But she wouldn’t disagree with the point Lizzie was gently making: that she and her brother were not close.
“Perhaps my problem with Robert is that he and I are too alike. I’m as wild now as he once was,” Selina mused softly before she glanced at Lizzie again. “I’m surprised you want anything to do with me,LadyElizabeth.”
“Perhaps I just long to hear the stories you could tell.”
Selina flinched. She could well imagine the censure she’d receive from this lovely woman if she told her stories. What would shock her more? Actions? Drives? Desires? Oh no, Lizzie could surely not be ready for any of that.
“My stories aren’t as interesting as you might think,” Selina lied.
Lizzie tilted her head, and for a moment Selina felt as though the younger woman could see through her. Then she smiled gently. “Well, then I suppose I will continue my pursuit of a relationship with you because you remind me of Morgan. And based on everything he tells me about you, I know your wild side is not your only side.”
“Hmm,” Selina mused, suddenly uncomfortable with that idea. Not many people saw any other side of her than the one she chose to present. And that wild side was the one that reminded her she wouldn’t belong at her brother’s house party any more than she’d belonged at this gathering tonight.
It was also the side that whispered sheshouldgo to Roseford. To have fun. To cause trouble. And to take care of something she’d been trying to do for weeks. The party offered an opportunity now. But should she take it and risk exactly the relationship Lizzie was speaking to her about?
“Just think about it,” Lizzie said, and stepped away as Robert and Katherine returned to the room. Nicholas approached and the two men spoke softly before they shook hands. But Selina recognized the strain between them remained. It was a shame, really.
Perhaps Lizzie was right, after all. This party afforded her the chance to get a little closer to her once-wayward brother. And if she was careful, he’d never have to know her ulterior motives.
It couldn’t hurt, in the end. She would make sure it didn’t.
