A Virgin for the Ruthless Duke (In War and Love #2)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

R ichard smiled as he watched Selina taking a turn about the room. She was doing amazingly well—even better than he had anticipated. He had been amazed when she had stepped into the dining room, looking as alluring as a siren. At that moment, he swore that everyone, including him, had become breathless at the very sight of her, confirmed by the hush that fell over the room.

He had seen the moment when her bout of nervousness had started and how she had brought herself under control by straightening the fingers that had been about to grab the fabric of her dress. At that moment, he was proud of her and her growth.

Walking at a sedate pace, she approached the dining room. But the moment the gentleman beside her pulled out her chair for her, Richard’s pleasure with her conduct had slowly faded away until it was almost nonexistent.

He was supposed to be happy that she had snagged the attention of an eligible bachelor. So he did not understand why, instead of being pleased to see her progress, he felt a weight in his chest that grew heavier with each moment she spent smiling and flirting with the young gentleman sitting to her right.

As far as he knew, her lessons had not extended to flirtation, but she had taken to the art like a fish to water—laughing and chatting with the man and glancing up at him from beneath her lashes.

Whoever the gentleman was, he appeared to be in her thrall. He had forgotten his food in favor of watching her while she spoke. His meal sat there, forgotten, as he took in the woman before him.

Even now, as she sat far away from him, Richard was captivated by the way her skin shone in the muted light of the dining room. The bodice of her crimson dress hugged her bosom, drawing his eyes to the creamy skin of her décolletage with magnetic force. He was entirely bewitched by her face, the way it glowed with health and flushed with pleasure.

His obsession with her lips made itself known as he watched her nibble on the edge of a pastry, the action sending heat down his spine as he remembered what it felt like to have her lips beneath his. How sweet she had tasted and how much he hungered to have her in his arms.

When her companion raised her hand to place a kiss on it, Richard’s stomach flipped as the weight in his chest seemed to drop.

Angrily, he stabbed his fork into his beef, chewing fiercely in the hope of cooling the boiling blood in his veins.

“Richard, dear, if you stare at them any longer, they may burst into flames.”

His mother’s voice interrupted his effort to burn a hole into the other man’s head with his eyes from across the room.

“Besides,” she continued, “do not take your anger out on the food. It is innocent.”

Richard did not enjoy attending these occasions with his mother simply because of the wealth of scandal that trailed her steps like a hive of angry bees.

She had just returned alone from France when her latest paramour had refused to follow her back. According to her, he had wanted to “see the beautiful sights of the city” longer. Richard thought it more likely that he had stayed back to enjoy himself—probably with younger women.

Of course, he hadn’t voiced that thought to his vain mother.

There were very few things that Johanna Curtis, the Dowager Duchess of Seymour, took pride in, but her beauty topped the list. She had been stunning in her youth, but age had taken away much of her charm. She refused to accept that fact and still chased after younger men who sought her money in return. She was all too ready to accommodate them while they warmed her bed and pandered to her vanity.

Even now, she sat beside him, dressed in an expensive black dress that was cut scandalously low. She hid her wrinkles under heavy face paint. The only spots of color on her face were her lipstick and the rouge she applied to her cheeks. It gave the resemblance of a cross between a siren and a clown, and both were clamoring for attention.

“I do not understand what that innocent is doing with such a rake. Did her mother not teach her the consequences of playing with fire?” Johanna said absentmindedly, fiddling with her spoon before she drank some of her broth.

“Whom do you speak of?” Richard asked, his gaze still fixed on Selina.

“The couple on whom you are so fixated,” Johanna answered with a lazy flick of her finger. “Isn’t she a friend of yours?”

“You know the gentleman she is with?” Richard asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Of course! Who does not know him? He is the Earl of Pembroke. You would know him as well if you paid attention while attending social events instead of daydreaming about the moment you can return home,” she said, before popping a bite of beef into her mouth.

Ignoring the barb, Richard turned towards her so that he could watch her face. “I do not care about his bloody title. Tell me what you know about his character!” he demanded, barely keeping his voice low.

Johanna raised a finger to indicate that he should wait while she chewed.

The next couple of minutes were hell while he waited for her. Then, when she had finally finished chewing and swallowed, she answered.

“He is known to be a rake. An unrepentant one at that. We had something between us some years ago. He normally goes for experienced women, but perhaps his taste changed to include innocent young women as well…”

Richard did not hear the rest of what his mother was saying. A red haze had descended over his vision, and he could hear nothing over the rush of blood in his ears.

The fact that his mother knew the man was a red flag in itself. Not only did she know him, but she was aware of his character and took pride in being amongst the women who had warmed his bed.

Having worked his way through the ladies of the ton, he had probably grown weary and decided to cast his net for younger, unsuspecting women to feed his inordinate lust.

Richard was never going to allow him to make Selina a victim. Never.

As he watched them, he noted the moment Selina finished her dinner. Lord Pembroke, still playing the chivalrous gentleman, pulled back her chair and took her arm to lead her away from the dining area. Sensing danger, Richard stood up, determination radiating off him in waves.

“Where are you going, Richard?” his mother called after him as he stepped away.

He ignored her, not trusting himself to reply to her question at that moment without betraying his anger.

Following the path they had taken, he found them close to the balcony, where Lord Pembroke was still doing his best to charm Selina. Her laughter rang out clear and true, stirring pleasure and anger in Richard’s chest. The sound was music to his ears, but at the same time, he resented her for being so carefree with the Earl that she could laugh that loudly with him.

He approached them with determination, his anger increasing as he got closer. The Earl was watching her with a predatory hunger of which she seemed blissfully unaware. Richard had to give it to the man; he was a brilliant strategist, bringing her to this dark space. He was probably planning to lure her onto the balcony, where he might have the freedom to ravish her as he wished.

His hatred for the man was sealed when he stood in front of him. It was an injustice that such an immoral man was blessed with such handsome looks. He was a typical Adonis. He had a delicate, almost feminine face, startling blue eyes, and light blond hair. It was no wonder he was skilled at leading women astray.

“Pembroke,” Richard called, interrupting their discussion.

He noted the irritation that passed over the other man’s face with pleasure.

“I do not believe we have met,” Lord Pembroke said slowly, narrowing his eyes at him.

“We have not. Richard Curtis, the Duke of Seymour, at your service.”

“Seymour? You are Johanna’s son?” Lord Pembroke asked, a bewildered look on his face.

The ease and familiarity with which he used his mother’s name filled Richard with more anger, but he plastered on a cool smile.

“Yes, I am. So, you remember her? She told me about your… friendship,” Richard said in a tone that was almost too cheerful. His mood improved even further when he noted Lord Pembroke’s flush of embarrassment. “I cannot say I was too happy to hear about it.”

“What do you want?” Lord Pembroke asked in a low voice, stepping closer to him. He cast a wary glance at Selina, who looked bemused by the interaction.

So, he cares about his reputation, doesn’t he?

“Me? Nothing. I just wanted to make your acquaintance. I had not realized that there was a new Earl of Pembroke. I heard that the previous one died from visiting brothels. The poor man must have overdosed on pleasure,” Richard said in a singsong voice, his eyes flashing with anger.

He heard a choking sound on his left but refused to look at Selina, keeping his gaze trained on the Earl.

“I won’t stand here and listen to you disparaging my family…”

“I have no intention of doing that, My Lord,” Richard said in a mocking tone. “I wanted us to be friends, considering you are very well acquainted with my mother. I thought I’d share what I know about your family. What do you do for fun? Hobbies? Let me guess…” He placed a finger under his chin. “Hunting? Fencing? No, I doubt you would like those activities. You do not seem strong enough for them. It is a pity. I wanted us to be closer. We’re practically family. ”

By now, Lord Pembroke was as angry as Richard, his face contorting and red with rage. He stepped even closer so that he was a hair’s breadth away from Richard.

“If it is the girl you want,” he said in a dark whisper, “take her and stop trying to provoke me. She is not worth much to me anyway. Damn innocent.”

Bending his head close to the man’s ear, Richard whispered back, “I would thank you to stay away from her. The next time, I will not be so lenient.”

Lord Pembroke stepped away and left, and Richard dropped any pretense at levity. Fixing his angry eyes on Selina, he grabbed her forearm before dragging her back to the ballroom.

For once, she did not struggle, and he was grateful for it. He was so unstable at that moment that he was not sure how he would have reacted if she had.