She stared at the outstretched arm, focused intently. Then she lifted her gaze to his and nodded. “Yes.”
She slipped her fingers into the crook of his elbow and he guided her from the room, first being careful that no one would see them in such a compromising position. And it had compromised a great deal at that. Her perceived virtue, both of their positions in the household…and the precarious hold he still had on control.
“He’s very handsome.”
Selina jolted from her distracted state, staring down the long supper table toward Derrick, and glanced toward the lady at her side. The Duchess of Crestwood, Meg as she insisted all her friends call her, was smiling at her with a knowing expression.
“Who?” Selina said, but her tone was weak, indeed. She’d been caught ogling the man who had imbued her every fantasy with life since his arrival here.
How could he not, after what they’d shared? Those moments before supper had been highly charged. Even now she could feel the hard, heavy weight of him in her mouth, taste him on her tongue, the sounds of his moans were still loud in her ears. She had loved stealing his tightly wound control with her mouth and her hands.
She’d liked even more the way he looked at her after it was over. With passion and desire, of course. But with more than that. He looked at her like she was a fully formed person, a rare thing in the world of men. So rare that she had gotten away with stealing under their noses.
That fact sobered her.
“Mr. Derrick Huntington,” Meg responded softly. “But youknowwho I mean. You are just playing coy with me. It is your business, of course, but he is quite the catch.”
“I’m not trying to catch anyone, Your Grace,” Selina muttered as the footman took their plates away in preparation for the final course.
The duchess nodded slowly. “Yes. You are very independent.”
“Is that a slur in your mind?” Selina asked.
“Not at all!” Meg set her fork down and pivoted slightly to face her. “Gracious, I have nothing but admiration for your self-sufficiency. I suppose it is a failing of our group of duchesses. We’re all deliriously happy in our marriages, so we are always looking for ways to marry everyone else off.”
“I do not think you would be very successful in marrying me off,” Selina said with a smile to her companion, because she liked the duchess quite a bit. She’d watched Meg go through a scandal with her head held high and continue to fight for anyone bullied or treated badly. “And…yes. Mr. Huntington is very, very handsome.”
Meg laughed. “And it never hurts to look.”
Selina tipped her glass toward her. “That is something I can drink to.”
They clinked their glasses, and for a moment Selina’s humor improved. Until, that was, her gaze flitted past Derrick and found Lady Winford. She and her husband were chatting with the Duke and Duchess of Sheffield. That kind couple did not look pleased with the results in the least, but they were managing out of politeness.
Selina’s gaze drifted to the countess’s neck. She wasn’t wearing the Breston necklace. Not yet, at any rate. Her palms itched at the thought of the piece. It was the reason she was here, after all. It was easy to forget that when Derrick touched her, but it remained true.
And perhaps now was the time to put aside her wild attraction to the man and instead focus on her job. That would make Vale happy, at any rate. She knew her partner was anxious that they just get this done and move on.
Tonight would be a perfect opportunity. Selina only had to lay the groundwork. She shifted in her chair and set her fork down with a little sigh.
Just as she had suspected would happen, Meg leaned forward to rest a hand on her forearm. “Are you well, my dear? You suddenly got an odd look.”
“Just a headache,” Selina lied. “It must be all the excitement of the past few days. I swear I am unaccustomed to these kinds of parties.”
“They can be overwhelming,” Meg said kindly. She glanced down the table toward Katherine, who was sitting beside Robert. Their heads were close together, and from the smile on Katherine’s face, Selina’s brother was saying something very naughty. “When we break from supper in a few minutes, why don’t you sneak away to your chamber?” Meg said. “I’ll make your excuses to the group.”
“That is very kind, but I couldn’t be so rude,” Selina said, even though this was exactly what she’d been steering Meg to do. But she couldn’t make it too obvious. The duchess was a sharp woman.
“It isn’t rude to take care of yourself,” Meg said. “I insist. I’ll wager after a good night’s sleep, you will be right as rain.”
“Well…” Selina pretended to consider it. “I suppose I won’t do anyone any good feeling as I do. If you don’t mind, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Meg squeezed her hand. “Of course. Anything for a friend.”
Selina stiffened. A friend. Was she anyone’s friend, truly? Could she be when she was scheming behind their backs?
She pushed the thought away as the final plates were taken. She settled back with a sigh as she awaited the signal for the guests to rise and split off with the ladies going to the large parlor and the men going to their port.
She had wiggled herself into an opportunity tonight. And she had to make it worthwhile by focusing on the task at hand. Not on regrets. Not on consequences. Certainly not on Derrick. And shecoulddo it.
