Bewitching the Duke

He wanted a child of his own.

Chapter 18

Selina awoke the next morning and knew she had to force Colin to get out and meet his tenants. After watching him last night with Davie, she’d seen a side of him she never expected. Never would she have thought that the duke would climb a tree to get a child’s doll.

Colin had insisted she stay in the room next to his again last night. But she had decided that after they met with the tenants, she would make certain he knew she was not staying there any longer. She would insist he let her move back into her cottage.

She needed to put some distance between them. Her heart was weakening and she knew falling in love with a duke was foolhardy. No good would come of that and the sooner she put a stop to their relationship, the less pain she would feel when he ended things. And if he ever found out the lies he’d been told by both her and her mother, he would despise her.

She dressed quickly and went in search of him. She found Colin dining alone in the breakfast room. “Good morning.”

“Good morning to you.”

She sat down and a footman promptly filled her cup with tea. “Thank you.”

“I shall bring you a plate, Miss White.”

“I trust you slept well?” Colin asked and then sipped his tea.

“Yes.” When they had returned from Davie’s home, he had tried to get her to sleep with him. But after almost being discovered that evening by Mr. Roberts she declined. She would be terribly embarrassed if anyone found out they had been lovers.

“Your Grace,” Selina started and then paused as the footman placed a plate of eggs and ham in front of her.

“Yes, Miss White?” His lips twitched as if he found the idea of them being so formal amusing.

“I need to check on Davie and some of the other tenants this morning. Would you like to accompany me?”

He stared down at his almost empty plate before finally saying, “Yes. I would enjoy that. It would give me the chance to greet the tenants.”

“Wonderful. Shall we leave at ten?”

“Perfect.” He rose from his seat. “Please excuse me but I need to get some work done before we leave.”

She nodded. She couldn’t help but watch him as he left the room. He cut a fine figure in his buff trousers and brown jacket. Or maybe it was just the way those trousers stretched across his derrière.

Spending more time with him was not a smart idea. She should be moving herself back to the third floor. But she had to force him to get to know his tenants again. They needed repairs on their homes as much as his house needed them.

“Good morning, Selina.”

Selina looked up from her half-eaten breakfast to see Kate and the duchess entering the room. “Good morning, Kate, Your Grace.”

“Good morning, Miss White,” Kate’s mother replied formally. “You look quite pensive this morning. Is everything all right?”

Selina shrugged. “I was just thinking that I must leave. Kate no longer needs me here. I believe I shall return to Mrs. Featherstone’s cottage.”

Kate and her mother shared a long look. A footman broke their silent conversation as he placed a teacup in front of Kate.

“Perhaps that would be for the best,” the duchess said softly.

Kate openly glared at her mother. “I was actually hoping Selina might join us at Mrs. Littleton’s ball. We can say she is my paid companion.”

Her mot

her tilted her head in thought. A footman placed a small plate of toast and jam in front of her. “Perhaps she could. But don’t you think some people might recognize her?”

“I really have no desire to go to a ball,” Selina commented. Well, she did have the desire to attend but knew it was out of the question. “I don’t even know how to dance and the ball is late next week. Besides, I have nothing suitable to wear to a ball.”

Kate waved a hand at her. “That is not an issue. My maid is a fabulous seamstress and can alter one of my dresses. As far as the dancing, you would only need to learn one or two dances.”