Page 19 of The Devil's Accidental Duchess
CHAPTER 6
Who is it this time?
The door swung open to reveal the beaming face of the Dowager Duchess.
“I’m glad to see that my granddaughter has helped you settle, my dear. I hope the accommodations are to your liking? You must tell me immediately if there is something you need, and I shall have it arranged posthaste.”
“Erm, yes, Your Grace. The rooms are exceedingly lovely.” Selina smiled uneasily.
The Dowager Duchess had already grasped her hand and was patting it with the greatest affection. For a seemingly frail old woman, she had a rather firm grip.
Out of the corner of her eye, Selina could see Lizzy stifling her laughter.
“You could not possibly have known how much joy you have brought me today, darling girl,” the Dowager Duchess continued. “Such joy that I never thought I would experience in this lifetime, what with my wayward grandchildren.”
“Grandmama!” Lizzy protested. “You will scare Selina with such talk!”
The older woman affixed her aggrieved gaze on Selina. “Oh, dear. I have not discouraged you, have I, my dear?”
“Ah… No, Your Grace.”
The radiant smile returned to her lined face. “See? Any young lady who can withstand Barlow’s ire would not be so easily frightened.”
Selina smiled slightly at that. If anyone was well aware of her father’s temper and contempt, it was the St. Maur family. Of course, second only to his own family, who had to cope with his crossness day in and day out.
“I had known from the moment I laid eyes on you that you were an exceptional young woman.” Selina feared that the Dowager Duchess would inevitably wear a hole in her glove with her most ardent patting. “After all, not any woman can convince that muleheaded grandson of mine to forsake his ridiculous notion of never marrying.”
Selina looked at her in surprise. Ashbrook had no intentions of marrying? Then why did he agree to her father’s demands?
Fortunately, the Dowager Duchess was oblivious to her predicament as she smiled and finally,finallyreleased her poor hand.
“Come, Lizzy. Let dear Selina rest. This has been a rather eventful day for her.”
Oh, that was an understatement. The most massive understatement Selina had ever heard in her entire existence. The Dowager Duchess must have a strange sense of humor.
“We shall see you at supper tonight, Selina,” Lizzy told her with a large smile. “Don’t worry, I shall send someone to escort you to the dining room.”
“Thank you.”
And then, Selina found herself all alone in a strange new manor. She let out a huge sigh and allowed herself to fall onto the silk coverlet of the bed. She stared up at the canopy as thoughts danced in her head.
She was getting married.
To the Duke of Ashbrook.
Who didnotwant to get married until she and her father barged into his home.
It was adisaster. He would be well within his rights to resent her for upending his life in the span of a few hours. She honestly could not blame him if he did.
But he did not hate her. At least, he did notseemto hate her. Or maybe he was just extremely good at masking his true feelings.
She frowned as she stared up at the floral motif embroidered on the silk hangings of the canopy. No one could be that good at hiding their true intentions.
But his grandmother had just told her that up until that morning, at least, he had expressly told them that he had no wish to get married. Why would he say that?
Selina knew a great many supposed gentlemen who had no desire to marry. They were calledrakes,and every gently bred, well-informed young lady knew better than to dally with them.
Perhaps the Duke of Ashbrook was a rake. Perhaps he had no intentions of marrying, for he had every intention of lying with a great many women instead. Not just one.
