Bewitching the Duke

Had she really just said that? The entire point was to push the wedding to London, not have it here in the middle of winter. She needed a certain man out of her life, not returning in a few months . . . or worse, not leaving at all. She must have control over her life again. And that could never happen as long as he remained here refusing to allow her to live in her cottage.

“That could be rather pretty if we have snow,” Kate said slowly. “We could transform the ballroom so it looks like a snowy day. If we have it here, we could invite the neighboring families and I’m sure some people from farther away would attempt to come if the weather holds.”

Selina wanted to bang her head against the table. Instead of getting the man out of her life, she’d managed to make sure he returned in a few months. Plus he would still have to refurbish the house so he would remain here longer. There had to be a way to dissuade her.

“But won’t it be more difficult to get people to attend the wedding at that time?”

Both Kate and Colin stared at her. Colin’s dark brow raised in question.

“Didn’t you just suggest this idea?” he asked with a smirk.

“Yes, but your sister needs to think through all the details. Planning a wedding is a tremendous ordeal.”

“Not terribly,” Kate said, again contradicting Selina’s plans. “It’s far less difficult than planning a ball. The wedding would be mostly family with a few friends. Probably no more than a hundred people.”

That sounded like a huge undertaking to Selina. If a wedding of one hundred people was only a small party, how many people were invited to a ball? She shook her head in confusion. The life these people led was so different from her simple existence out here.

“I do believe this is settled,” Kate announced. “John and I shall marry before the new year.”

“Don’t you think John should have some say in the matter?” Colin asked. “After all, he is the groom.”

Kate’s smile lit the room. “We are in love. He will want to marry me as quickly as possible.” She pushed her plate away and rose. “In fact, I believe I shall write to him this very moment. After that, I will check in on Mother and go to bed. Good night.”

Selina felt panic rush through her veins. She could not be alone in the same room as Colin after their disastrous day. Already as Kate reached the threshold, Selina could feel the room closing in on her . . . and him. Without Kate as a buffer, Selina feared what she might say or do. There had to be some reasonable excuse she could use to leave.

“Shall we retire to the salon?” Colin asked as he scraped his chair back.

“I believe I will just retire for the evening. Thank you.”

“Before you do, might I have a word in private?”

What did he mean by that? She could only think of one thing that required privacy and that would not happen again. “Is that necessary?”

“Yes,” he replied stiffly. “In my study.”

“Very well.” She walked down the long corridor to the study. After entering the room, she took a seat by the window and glanced out into the dark night. She started, hearing the door click shut.

“I . . . I . . .” he muttered, then walked to the brandy. He poured two snifters and brought one to her.

“What did you want to say, Colin?” She took the glass and sipped the heady drink. Warmth spread throughout her body. Was it the drink or his nearness that caused such a reaction? She prayed it was the brandy.

He took a mouthful and swallowed. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior this afternoon. I . . .” He walked away from her. “The truth is, I haven’t been with a woman in many years and I embarrassed myself and should have taken more time with you and made sure you enjoyed yourself.”

He hadn’t been with a woman in years? How was that possible with all the stories she’d heard about him. “I don’t understand,” she whispered. “I’ve heard what people say about you and it is far from pleasant.”

A tinge of color crossed his cheeks. “Everything you might have heard about me and other women was fabricated to ruin my reputation.”

“Who would do such a thing?”

“Me.”

Oh, dear God, it all made sense. He didn’t want another woman after his wife died so the stories of his conquests were just that . . . stories. Her heart went out to him. She could only imagine how difficult that had been for him to say aloud. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what?” He turned around and stared at her.

“Being truthful with me.” Slowly, she stood and walked toward him. She reached out and caressed his cheek. “Was I the first since Mary?”

Red colored his cheeks. “Yes.”