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“Nor will he any time soon—it would be a scandal,” Selina murmured, watching her maid in the mirror as she brushed her hair out.
“Will he be able to convince the Lady Leah to dissolve it?”
“Probably not, Faith.”
“Will you be sad about it? I mean, you’ll have to attend his wedding.”
Selina exhaled. Faith had a point, one which she hadn’t considered. “You’re right. If that’s what it comes down to, I suppose I’ll have to have him secretly labeled a blackguard for toying with my affections.”
“I don’t want to see you hurt, My Lady,” Faith said sadly.
“I don’t want to be hurt, Faith,” she said. “I’ll do my best to keep my head.”
“Very good, My Lady.” Faith expertly rolled Selina’s golden hair into a bun, slipping pins in quickly. “What will you wear to tea?”
“Good question,” Selina replied. Deciding what to wear was always easy. Deciding what to do about a handsome Duke who was to marry her cousin, on the other hand, was not.
Selina wanted to do what was right. She knew how she felt about him—a certain preference over other gentlemen. He was handsome, kind, and completely ready to sweep her off of her feet. The fact that he was engaged, but not in love with Leah made her question whether it was right to continue.
* * *
Jasper rode out to the overlook the very next day. His pulse raced—what if she didn’t show up? He’d been up the night before, making plans. He wanted to spend time with Lady Selina. To show her that this wasn’t a passing fancy or trying to get out of a loveless match. The two of them had a shot at real love. He knew it.
He arrived early, tethering Pilot, so he could graze nearby. Then, he sat down on a fallen tree just out of sight of the road. If he was questioned, then he didn’t want to have to admit that he was there waiting for a lady who was not his fiancée.
He watched as the sun progressed in the sky. She must be running late. Suddenly, he realized that she must not be coming. How could he have been so wrong? He stood up.
There was nothing left, but to return home. His pride, wounded. He’d been certain that she loved him—that her affections were the same.
He heard her voice.
“Well, Faith,” Selina said. “I suppose we were wrong!”
“I’m surprised, My Lady,” Faith said. “But it might all be for the best.”
“Indeed, Faith. Come, we’ll enjoy ourselves.”
His pulse raced—she’d been on the other side of the hill, where the overlook was located, on the side which looked upon Kirby Hall. He’d avoided it—after all, it was visible from Kirby Hall.
“My Lady,” he called out. The two looked up at him. They were sitting on the other side of the hill. Lady Selina was dressed in pale yellow, which brought out the honey in her eyes. She had on her straw bonnet, with its black ribbon.
“Your Grace! We thought that you weren’t coming,” Lady Selina said. He held up his own basket.
“I think we had similar ideas, My Lady.”
“Come, sit, Your Grace.” She beamed at him.
* * *
Now that they were both there, she wondered what he had planned. They both sat for a long moment, smiling at each other.
Faith stood up. “I’m going to go and seat myself on that stump over there,” she said. “To read my book.”
“Very well, Faith,” Selina replied. “Enjoy.”
“Of course, My Lady,” Faith said, walking over to sit down. She sat, her book up, so she could watch everything and hear all.
“She’s very well-read, your maid?” the Duke asked.
