Bewitching the Duke

Selina shrugged. “Perhaps I should wait a while before making this decision.”

“Who is the man?”

Her cheeks burned. “No one you know. Just a man from the village.”

Selina finally changed the subject to Kate’s betrothed and they talked for a few hours. Selina enjoyed Kate’s company. She missed having a friend to talk to like this. While she had Mia and sometimes Tia, they were much farther away so they rarely got together more than once a month.

“I believe I shall join you for dinner downstairs,” Kate announced.

A little sigh of relief escaped Selina. At least now she wouldn’t be alone with Colin. “I think that is a fabulous idea.”

“You must go change into a better dress. With Mother joining us, she will expect us to dress for dinner.”

Selina glanced down at her pale green muslin. There was nothing wrong with this dress. But if the duchess expected a fancier dress, then Selina would have to figure out something.

“I shall meet you back here at half past six. Then we can go downstairs together.” Selina walked back up to her room and glanced at her meager selection of dresses. Her best dress was a dark blue muslin, so that would have to do for dinner.

She rang for help from one of the lady’s maids. Betsy helped her dress and put up her hair. Selina looked in the mirror and again wondered why the ladies insisted their hair be put up. It only made her look older.

“You look beautiful, Selina,” Betsy said, clapping her hands together like a child.

“Thank you, Betsy.” Selina glanced at the clock and decided to walk down to Kate’s bedchamber.

She knocked and was told to come into the room. Selina strolled inside and stopped dead. Kate’s expression said it all . . . gaped mouth and wide eyes.

“Selina, that dress will never do,” she gasped. “It’s muslin.”

“It is the best dress I have.” As she examined Kate’s dress, Selina noticed the differences—silk for one. Handcrafted ivory silk with real pearl buttons down the back and seeded pearls at the waist. She could never afford a dress as beautiful as the one her friend wore.

Kate shook her head. “No, I must have something that will work for you.”

“I cannot wear one of your gowns.” Although, the idea of wearing a gown such as that made her ache with envy. She wanted a dress of silk, even if it meant wearing her hair up in some tight, uncomfortable style. It would be worth the pain.

“I know just the thing. I was thinking about giving it to my maid since she is smaller than I am. It never fit just right. Madam Duvall’s apprentice made it instead of the expert.” Kate giggled. “Instead, I shall bestow it upon you.”

Kate pulled out the most beautiful moss-colored silk dress. She held it up to her and Selina immediately noticed that it was too small for her friend’s taller frame. It might be a bit long on Selina but right then she didn’t care if it dragged on the floor. She wanted to wear that dress even if it was only one time.

“Come along, then. Try it on,”

Selina nodded. Only a few minutes later, she looked in the mirror and gaped at her reflection. The color was perfect for her skin tone and eye color. And the sensation of silk on her skin was like sin. Tempting her to think thoughts about Colin that she shouldn’t, such as what he would do when he saw her in this gown. Would he want to strip her naked slowly . . . languidly? Undoing one button at a time, kissing her skin as it was bared by his adept hands?

“It’s perfect,” Kate exclaimed, drawing Selina out of her erotic musing.

“I don’t even recognize myself.”

“Good. Then perhaps my brother won’t either.”

Selina glanced over at the devious look on Kate’s face. “What do you mean by that?”

“My brother is far overdue to realize there are other women in the world than his late wife. While Mary was a lovely person, it’s past time for him to desire another woman. Maybe even marry again.”

Desire. Selina assumed that’s all they had between them. After being intimate with him, she knew he definitely desired women again, no matter what his sister thought.

“That may be but I doubt I am the woman he would do either with.” Especially the marriage part. That was never a thought that had entered Selina’s head.

“At least he shall notice you in this gown.”

Perhaps he would. But perhaps he shouldn’t.