Page 16 of The Gift of a Christmas Scandal

Chapter Eight

Selina had thought that the day could not become much more trying – she was wrong. In the early afternoon, Lord Hockingmoor arrived at her side, and stayed there. It seemed that she was not required to do anything but allow him to talk, and to not leave his presence. The utter dullness that this cast upon the day was, in itself, exhausting. The fact that he did not require her to respond to his conversation made it worse. For it allowed her to think, uninterrupted.

And her thoughts would not leave the Duke, any more than her eyes would. Apparently, Lord Hockingmoor was capable of noticing in which direction her gaze went, for he looked annoyed, and moved, such that he stood between her and any view of the Duke, repeatedly. It was, she thought, a performance worthy of a farce on the stage. A number of times, she looked in his direction to find the Duke watching her. It made her all the more determined to see him alone again – but how?

By evening, the light snowfall had stopped, and the clouds cleared, so that the sun set in a beautiful pink and gold display, which presaged, she hoped, a fine day to follow. The Earl had been seated by her side at dinner, and had continued his stultifying conversation, to the point where she had despaired. Her eyes had met the Duke’s across the table, and she had seen understanding and sympathy there, in the moments before he looked away.

After the meal, the gentlemen retired to partake of port, and that provided her a respite from Lord Hockingmoor’s attention – and a chance to talk quietly with Mariel. They settled in the window seat again, and spoke in hushed tones as they watched the other women. Lady Phyllida was, predictably, talking to the Dowager Duchess, and Selina’s mother was with Mariel’s mother – gossiping, no doubt.

“Observing his attentions to you today, I can see why you are so very set against marrying Lord Hockingmoor. I do not believe that the man stopped talking once, for long enough for you to speak if you had wanted to! Had I been in your position, I would have been sorely tempted to suddenly feel ill, so that I might escape him. But you are far too well behaved to do such a thing.”

“You are right, Mariel. He spoke so continuously I wonder that he was able to draw breath! I cannot bear the thought of being tied to such a man for my whole life!”

“I am sure that you will find a way to escape – it must be possible. But… I saw you watching the Duke, and he watching you… as Lady Phyllida performed the equivalent of Lord Hockingmoor’s behaviour.”

“Oh! – was I so obvious? How lowering to think that I was.”

“Perhaps not to everyone – but to me, who knows you – yes. I cannot blame you – he is so deliciously, darkly handsome, and dangerous seeming. Especially when he is displeased! Have you…?”

“No. I haven’t yet found another chance to… talk…”

“Then you must, at the earliest opportunity – when a man follows you with his eyes like that, you should not waste it!”

Selina sighed.

“I hope that the morning is clear. I think that I may slip out, and ride, if I can – some time away from this stifling round of dull conversation and tired games would be pleasant, even if it is cold. After all, the Duke did offer me the use of one of his horses…”

Mariel looked at her a moment, then spoke even more softly.

“That was when he spoke of a party going to the ruins. It’s rather different to go completely alone… but perhaps that might be a chance… When the gentlemen join us, I do believe that I will find a reason to have a short conversation with the Duke. Perhaps it is time that I complimented his hospitality… and whispered another message entirely, in his ear – for you. Lady Phyllida will suspect nothing, I assure you.”

Selina gaped at Mariel a moment, then nodded.

“Thank you, how very clever of you. All I need do now is convince Lisbet to help me dress, and not to tell Mother what I have done – Mother would not approve of me riding alone.”

“True – but I am sure that you will manage.”

It was not long before the gentlemen joined the ladies in the parlour, and Selina found herself flushed and nervous when they did, her eyes following the Duke as he moved around the room. His eyes had met hers, once, when he had first walked in, and the warmth they conveyed stayed with her. Mariel allowed a few minutes, then rose, and walked casually towards the Duke, pausing to speak with various others as she went.

When she finally came close to the Duke, he was, fortunately, not near either Lady Phyllida or Lord Hockingmoor. Selina watched intently from under lowered lashes as Mariel curtsied to him, then spoke. After a short conversation, during which she moved herself as close as possible to him, without being scandalous, she leant even closer for a moment. She must have whispered, for he initially inclined towards her, then straightened, his eyes immediately going to Selina.

The impact of his gaze as she met his eyes, was intense – her heart beat faster, and her breath came unevenly. He gave the tiniest of nods, and turned his attention back to Mariel. They spoke for a few moments more, before Mariel left his company, just as Lady Phyllida bustled up to attach herself to his side again.

It was done. Suddenly, Selina could not wait for the dawn.

~~~~~

Lisbet had been a little scandalised when Selina had told her of her plan to ride alone, but had, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to rouse her early and help her to dress.

Now, as Selina slipped down the stairs and through the silent house, she shivered a little. Would the Duke find her as she rode? Or was she a fool to hope for it?

The stables were warm, and full of the comforting scents of horses, hay, and leather. Grooms moved about, feeding horses, filling water buckets, cleaning stalls – all of the normal activities that kept a stable running smoothly. She stood in the doorway, a little uncertain, until an older groom came up to her.

“Yes, my Lady – how can I help you?”

“His Grace offered me the use of a horse, should I choose to ride, and suggested that his stablemaster could arrange a suitable one…”

“Of course, my Lady. I am Woods, I’ll help you with that… and a groom to accompany you?”