Page 29 of The Gift of a Christmas Scandal

Chapter Fourteen

True to his word, the next morning, immediately after a short conversation with Lord Delmont, Alex had departed for London to obtain a special licence. Lord Delmont had been stern, but Alex could tell that he was not, in truth, entirely displeased to have his daughter marrying a Duke. He had grumbled a little about now needing to placate Lord Hockingmoor, but had not been unreasonable.

Alex was deeply relieved – he had not looked forward to the possibility of Selina’s family refusing to speak to him. His own mother had been similarly forbearing – although she had delivered him a lecture the like of which he had not experienced since childhood. She was a wise woman – what was done was done, and nothing could turn back the clock and undo it, so she would make the best of the situation. Lady Phyllida, however, he suspected would never acknowledge his existence again.

He found that he could not bring himself to care.

The weather had cleared again, and the roads, whilst muddy, were passable – he made good time, having taken only the smallest carriage, and only the coachman, as well as Albano, to assist him. He hoped to be back at Fortescue Grange within three days – in time, if the vicar could be persuaded, to marry on Christmas Eve. But that three days away from Selina was agonising. He craved her presence, craved the touch of her hand, the sound of her beautiful melodious voice.

He was, he realised, utterly and completely in love with her. What had begun as a choice made in desperation, of a woman he at least liked, had become so much more. That she had been willing to so disgrace herself in the eyes of the ton, for him, only made him love her more. He was beyond happy that the situation also had saved her from a miserable life with Hockingmoor. Alex thought, hoped, that Selina loved him, at least a little, or might come to do so fully as they moved forward in life together. He had not, he realised, ever had the chance to ask her of her feelings, in depth, or to tell her of his. A situation he hoped to remedy as soon as he returned to Fortescue Grange.

It was well past dark when he reached Southolton House, sending the staff there into a flurry with his unexpected arrival, and he fell into bed as soon as it was readied, finding himself exhausted after the drama of the last few days.

~~~~~

Selina had maintained her composure in the face of her mother’s anger and disappointment – for she had expected nothing less.

She ached in the most secret places, and every twinge reminded her of why, and brought a smile to her face. Whilst she missed him, and dreamed of his touch, his kisses, she rather thought that Alex had the better part of the bargain for these few days, being able to immediately leave to obtain a special licence. It meant that all of the shocked gossip and censure fell upon her head, as those of both families, and everyone present at the house party, seemed unable to speak of anything else.

Lady Phyllida had given Selina the cut direct in the parlour that next morning, and Lord Hockingmoor had given her barely a nod to acknowledge her existence. That, combined with her mother’s grim disapproval, made her want Alex’s presence rather badly. But she would endure – what was another few days to bear, to have the life she had only dreamed of?

The only person who treated her no differently was Mariel, for which Selina was eternally grateful. They settled into their usual window seat in the parlour, and spoke quietly, determinedly ignoring everyone else.

“Selina… soon, when we can be suitably private, you must tell me…”

“Why Mariel, I thought you knew far more of these matters than I!”

“Once, that was true. No longer. For now, you have done far more than I have experienced… You did, didn’t you? …everything…?”

Selina sighed, a pleasurable shiver running through her at the memory of her thorough ruination. Something of her thoughts must have shown on her face, for Mariel spoke again.

“I thought so.” Mariel, most uncharacteristically, blushed, “I could surmise nothing less from the sounds that came to me…”

Selina laughed – so Mariel was not so utterly sure of such matters as she pretended to be!

“Yes. I assure you that the tales of pleasure which you hear in scandalous whispers are true – as far as I can see, far more true than the dire words of warning that some sour old women deliver. I look forward to being married… as soon as possible.”

Mariel looked across the room, then turned to Selina with a broad smile.

“You may look forward to being a wife, but I suspect that the process of actually getting married may be rather trying. Look over there – the Dowager Duchess and your mother have their heads together, and are deep in animated discussion. I can only surmise that they are planning the details of your wedding. No matter the manner of your… betrothal… they will want to put the best possible appearance on it.”

Selina looked. Mariel was right. And she could not, really, deny her mother anything in the matter of how the wedding was done – let her save appearances however she wished.

~~~~~

With the licence obtained without any difficulty, Alex set off back to Fortescue Grange, desperate to see Selina again, as soon as possible. He had, before leaving London, gone to see Warrington. The man had laughed, and given him a deep bow.

“It is rare that a Duke actually takes my advice so to heart.”