Bewitching the Duke

Selina laughed softly as she nodded her head. Who would even ask her to dance? Perhaps Colin out of pity, but he would be the only one.

“I do believe it would be a good experience for her,” the duchess said. “We shall start the dress fitting this afternoon at three, followed by a dance lesson.”

Selina could only stare at the mad women across the table from her. “I cannot pass as a paid companion.”

“Of course you can,” Kate replied. “You might not have all the social skills needed but you are intelligent and beautiful. The men only notice your beauty, but the women will note your wisdom.”

“I really must decline.”

Kate leaned in closer and said, “No, or my brother will discover who has been living on the third floor.”

Selina felt slightly faint. Her new friend was threatening her. Why? What possible good could come out of her attending a ball? She didn’t fit in with these people. But she couldn’t let Colin discover her hiding place either. “Very well,” she bit out. “I will attend the ball with you.”

“Of course you will,” Kate said with a catlike grin.

“Excuse me, I must get ready,” Selina said as she scraped back her chair.

“Where are you off to?” the duchess asked.

“I have to see to a few of the tenants.”

“Perhaps you should take the duke with you,” the duchess said softly. “He needs to reacquaint himself with his tenants.”

Kate nodded. “That would be a good idea.”

“He is planning to escort me,” Selina replied as she reached the threshold.

“Excellent,” the duchess said under her breath.

Kate waited until she was certain Selina had departed. Then she giggled softly. “Did you see her reaction? She was positively irate that I would force her to go to a ball.”

Her mother laughed too as she placed her teacup down. “You had better be right about those two.”

“Mother, this is the first time in years I’ve seen Colin smile, really smile. Not that fake one he gives people to be sociable. I even heard him laugh. He loves her whether he realizes it or not yet. But he will.”

“I have to admit, he does seem different.”

“And getting Selina out to a small ball in the country will help her see that she can do this. She might never want to attend the Season but over time she will gain some confidence.”

Her mother nodded. “True, but your brother needs to make an effort to get her into Society. If we paint her as the daughter of a country squire, she will slowly be accepted. But under no circumstances can anyone discover her true background.”

“Do you think anyone would know her?”

“The only two I can think of would be Hartsfield and Middleton.”

Kate sipped her tea. “Yes, but they are his friends. I believe they would support him when he marries her.”

“If he marries her. He may still let convention decide his life,” her mother replied.

“I know he loves her. I have seen the way they look at each other when they think no one is watching.”

“True but that might just be lust.”

Kate shook her head. “It’s love.”

Her mother released a long breath. “I do hope you’re right. That boy needs to love again.”

Colin waited for Selina outside by the horses. He couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. After all, he’d been home for a month and still hadn’t greeted his tenants. One more thing for them to hold against him.