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“Selina—”
“I just wanted to apologize,” Selina blurted out.
“Absolutely not,” Leah stated.
“Leah,” Selina said.
“Out,” Leah roared, sitting up. “You’ve ruined everything.” She turned to her mother. “Why is she even still here? Why hasn’t Papa thrown them out of Kirby Hall?”
“The very last thing that I wanted to do was to hurt you,” Selina insisted.
“Well, you have,” Leah replied coldly. “And now, I demand that you leave. You can apologize all that you want, but I will never forgive you. You’re dead to me. When the Duke returns to make good on his word and to apologize, I want you gone, vile seductress.”
Leah watched the hurt that filled Selina’s eyes with a cold pleasure. Selina nodded, then turned and went out. Leah breathed a sigh of relief, settling herself back down onto the pillows.
“You could be gentler, my love,” her mother said.
“No. Not withher.”
Leah was to be Duchess. Selina was not about to take that from her. If she had to fight for it, then so be it. Leah was made of sterner stuff than anyone had realized. She lay back on the bed.
“Please, Mamma,” she said. “I can’t have swollen eyes when the Duke comes back.” Leah didn’t think that he would be there that night. She needed to change the subject, though.
* * *
Jasper and Reuben were still sitting and drinking together when Stephen arrived from Sandbourne.
“Hello, old friends,” Stephen said, entering after Sotheby announced his arrival.
“Have you come to stay, then?” Reuben asked.
“Yes. Sandbourne has been let by a retired captain,” Stephen replied. “He and his wife will take over residence when they arrive, and I will be here, out of their way.”
“Capital,” Jasper said, standing to grab him a glass. “Come sit.”
“So, Stephen,” Reuben said. “What exactly are you planning on doing, now that you’re no longer tied down to your county seat?’
“Once I have income, I’m headed for Italy and Greece,” he said wistfully. He still had that air of exhaustion about him, but it was lessened.
“Jasper has quite the tale to tell,” Reuben said, shaking his head and running his fingers through his hair.
Stephen blinked, sitting down as Jasper placed a glass in front of him, then Reuben filled it.
“Lady Leah found out about Selina and myself,” Jasper said.
“Oh, no,” Stephen said.
“Oh, yes,” Jasper replied, raising his eyebrows. “She’s threatening to have Lord Kirby duel me if I do not continue the engagement.”
Stephen’s eyes widened. “Good Lord. Never a dull moment around here these days.” He placed the glass to his lips and took a long sip.
“That’s the truth,” Reuben said, still tapping his glass with the fingernail of his index finger.
“What are you going to do?” Stephen asked.
“That’s what we were trying to figure out,” Jasper said. “I can’t think of a blessed thing, except how much I need to see Selina.”
“Then let’s make it so,” Stephen announced, decisively. For the first time in what felt like an age, Jasper felt like the usual Stephen was returned. “There has to be some way to get the two of you together.” Stephen glanced at Reuben, nodding emphatically.
“Perhaps,” Reuben allowed. “Although it will be difficult, now that everyone knows.”
“If anyone can make it happen, it’s the three of us,” Stephen said. Jasper smiled at his friend and his brother. He was right, of course.
