Bewitching the Duke

Selina returned her gaze to the man she loved. Until tonight, she had never thought it possible that he might love her. Or that she might fit into his world. But tonight had been magical.

Several men had asked her to dance and wanted to court her. Of course, they might not have if they knew her true background. But it didn’t matter. The duchess had told her that just being seen with her and Colin gave her the appearance of respectability.

Marriage to him would force her to go to London and into Society. Surely, someone would discover her background. Rumors were certain to follow. Colin would tell her that what people said didn’t matter. But it might reflect poorly on Kate and the duchess. Selina would hate to ruin Kate’s life.

Besides, none of it mattered.

Once he discovered the truth, he would hate her forever.

Colin blink

ed his eyes open. He had no idea where he was, except he was certain the dimly lit room was not his. His shoulder hurt like blazes. He turned his head slightly and smiled. Selina sat in the wingback chair next to the bed with her head tilted against the corner. Her eyes were shut and her breathing even.

What had happened?

He racked his brain for a clue. The last thing he remembered was dancing a waltz with Selina as she realized what a third dance with him meant. Her face had been flushed and her eyes bright with dismay.

Then something happened.

But what?

Colin moved his head in the other direction and noticed that Kate had fallen asleep on a small sofa. He closed his eyes and tried to think about what happened. Everything was blank after dancing with Selina.

He attempted to turn on his side and pain radiated from his shoulder. He couldn’t suppress a groan. Damn, he didn’t want to wake her. He felt his right shoulder and touched a linen bandage.

What the bloody hell had happened?

He needed answers but wasn’t willing to wake either woman yet. Instead, he lay back against the pillows and shut his eyes. Perhaps if he rested, the pieces of the puzzle would fall into place.

Except his eyes wouldn’t remain closed. He stared at Selina and then noticed that she, too, had a bandage on her shoulder. Frustration surged in him. He’d never felt so helpless in his life.

He couldn’t take this any longer. “Selina,” he whispered.

Her full lips lifted into a slight smile but her eyes didn’t open.

“Selina,” he said slightly louder but hopefully not loud enough to wake Kate.

She groaned slightly and rubbed her eyes. Finally, she opened her eyes. “You’re awake!”

“Yes, what the bloody hell happened to us? And where are we? Why is my sister sleeping on the sofa? Where is the duchess?”

“Slow down,” she said with a hushed laugh. “How did you wake with so many questions? When I woke, I was completely fuzzy-brained.”

“When you woke?” he asked, confused by her statement. “Didn’t you just now awaken?”

“No, earlier when you were still sleeping. After the laudanum wore off. Dreadful stuff. I only use it because it works so well.”

“Darling, you are rambling and my patience is wearing thin. What the hell happened?”

“You don’t remember anything?” She leaned forward and touched his forehead.

“The last thing I remember is dancing with you. After that it’s all a blank.”

“You were shot while we were dancing.” She slowly explained what occurred.

“Why would someone shoot me?” Even as he spoke, he thought of how he’d treated the servants and tenants on the estate. Any one of them might have been angry enough to shoot at him.

Selina stared down at their joined hands. The look on her face told him there was much more to this story.