Page 72 of The Devil's Accidental Duchess
At the threshold, she doubled back to take hold of Aurelia’s free arm, helping the older woman along.
Yes, I do believe this marriage might be very good for us all.
It was progress unlike anything Selina had ever seen. At home, her mother would never have dared to do anything without consulting her father. Every tiny thing had to be passed by him first, where it would undoubtedly be stamped down, or he would roll his eyes, or he would snap at her for bothering him.
For once, her mother was doing something of her own volition. Maybe she would learn a few more things about independence after the trip into town.
“Lizzy, Melody, do you think you could give me a moment?” Selina asked.
She did not look at Mary directly, but the maid bristled. She must have known that a conversation was coming.
“To do what?” Lizzy asked, retrieving her cup of tea.
Heat bloomed in Selina’s cheeks, her skin itchy as if she had brushed by a horde of nettles. “I just want a moment with the gowns I didn’t choose. To give… instructions to the maid as to what is to be done with them.”
“And you can’t do that with us here?” Lizzy raised an eyebrow.
It was Melody who seemed to realize that there was something more to the request. Her keen eyes narrowed behind her spectacles, flitting from Selina to Mary and back again.
“Come on, Elizabeth,” she said in a jesting tone, though her hand on Lizzy’s arm was anything but playful. “I need to show you something in the library anyway. A book I found that I think you will like.”
“Mel, if it is another plant book, I shall scream,” Lizzy complained. “I do not deny that they are beautiful andinteresting, but I have reached the limits of my desire to understand botany.”
“It is not,” Melody retorted, dragging her right out of the bedchamber.
At the door, Melody looked back at Selina. Her expression said what she did not.We shall talk about this later.
Selina gave a small nod, and with that, her two friends were gone from the room. Although she could still hear Lizzy protesting for a good minute or two afterward.
“I thought you were no longer working at this manor,” she said, unable to look at the maid. “His Grace informed me.”
Mary moved to gather up the tea things. “I have been at the dower house. Her Grace still needed me, what with all of the wedding preparations.” The clink of cups and saucers jarred Selina’s ears. “But I will be leaving tomorrow.”
A wave of relief washed over Selina. “I see.”
“I must seek a better opportunity for myself,” Mary said as she turned to Selina and dusted off her apron with her hands. “You should consider it, too.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m sorry if my conduct upset you, My Lady,” Mary replied, “but you have to understand that I was merely behaving as I’d been taught to behave. I was to make myself available to His Grace whenever he pleased, and he liked it when I sought him out. I?—”
“I don’t need to hear this,” Selina interrupted, a great weight sinking into her stomach.
It was impossible to see Mary and not think of what had happened in the study and wonder how many others had experienced Philip’s particular talents.
So what? You are the first to marry him. And he didsend this woman away. It was his grandmother who kept her around longer.
Surely, that was a sign that Selina was different? Special? The right woman at the right time?
“No, you’re probably right.” Mary sighed. “But youshouldknow the truth before I leave. It’s only fair.”
“What truth?” Selina asked coldly.
What more could there be?
“I can tell you’ve developed feelings for His Grace,” Mary replied, “and itseemsthat he has feelings for you too. But those feelings aren’t what you think.”
Selina froze, her heart beating a strange rhythm in her chest. “What is that supposed to mean?”
