Nine Lords for Christmas by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Selina had been aware of him from the moment that she had entered the parlour. His expression was bland, utterly neutral, except for one momentary flash of what she thought was irritation. Irritation directed at the woman sitting opposite him, who seemed to be holding forth on some topic or another. She inclined her head towards Mariel, as they walked across the room, and whispered her question.

“Mariel – that is the Duke, over there by the fire. Is that woman opposite him Lady Phyllida?”

“Oooh, my, you are right. He is sinfully handsome. And yes, that is Lady Phyllida, I believe. From his expression, he is finding her conversation as thrilling as you find Lord Hockingmoor’s.”

Selina cast a sharp glance at Mariel, but let her words pass without comment. Mariel, who had previously been unsure of where best in the room to go, now guided Selina determinedly towards the fire, coming to a stop not far from the Duke. Selina could not help but overhear much of the conversation in the group around the Duke. It made it quite clear to her why his expression was so studiedly neutral – showing his true feelings would have been unpardonably rude. Mariel watched her with an amused look, before speaking again.

“You wanted to be warmer – is it not pleasant by the fire? We can observe the company, as well as warm ourselves.”

“Yes, the warmth is pleasant… and I find that I am already… observing… the company.”

“One particular part of the company present, if I do not mistake it.”

Mariel’s tone was teasing, and Selina felt herself blush, but could not prevent herself from watching the Duke under lowered lashes, and from listening to his conversation. When he mentioned the possibility of a riding party, to see the old abbey ruins, she stilled, concentrating for a moment – might there be a chance for her to ride? She hoped so. Shortly after that comment, the Duke had excused himself from the conversation, and stood. As he passed by her, going in the direction of the terrace doors, his hand brushed the back of her skirts. She froze in place, her heart beating wildly, but he continued as if he had not noticed it. She supposed that, even if he had, he would not show it in front of Lady Phyllida. When he left the room, the day seemed somehow less bright, less pleasant, for the lack of his presence. She chided herself for being a fool – the man was promised to Lady Phyllida, and she would do well to remember that. Soon, the warmth of the fire became too much, as it drove the outside chill from them, and they moved their conversation elsewhere.

Once they reached a quieter spot to one side, Mariel leant in to whisper in Selina’s ear.

“Where do you think he’s gone? And will he come back, or has he slipped away for the rest of the afternoon, despite his words about attending to his guests?”

“I cannot know, any more than you can.

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