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

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

R ichard urged his driver to move faster, pushing the team of horses hard so that they arrived at the Wilkins’ townhouse in no time. Somehow, there was this urgency in his blood that pushed him to get to Selina as fast as possible before she was snatched up by the suitors who hovered around her like flies.

His fear was proven not to be unfounded when he stopped in front of the Wilkins’ townhouse and spotted the Earl of Sanderson being ushered out of the building by the butler.

Richard felt his heart beating fast—so fast that he was scared that he was too late.

He could feel the sweat on the back of his neck as fear constricted his chest. He was almost certain he was too late. Perhaps Selina had already accepted the man’s proposal. She might very well be betrothed to the Earl at the moment and only a few steps away from becoming a countess.

He immediately jumped down from the coach and started walking towards the house to at least confirm his suspicions. His anger with himself grew with every second. It would serve him right if he was too late. He just prayed that fate wasn’t cruel enough to punish him this way.

He could not blame Selina. It was almost impossible for her to reject a marriage proposal from such a perfect man instead of waiting indefinitely for a damaged man who was too wrapped up in his misery to appreciate the gift that she was giving him. He did not deserve her love—not when he had so callously dismissed her, breaking her fragile heart in the process.

Because Selina was indeed fragile, no matter how she loved to pretend that she was tough. A consequence of the difficulty that came with growing up an orphan, especially given the brutal way her parents were murdered. She was given to logic because she thought it was the best way to protect her heart. But she had let her guard down to love him wholeheartedly, and he had broken that trust because of his petty fears.

His excuses appeared ridiculous now in the face of the possibility that he had lost her. He just prayed that he was granted the opportunity to fix his mistake.

He was now standing in front of the steps leading up to the house. He ascended the steps, meeting Sanderson halfway.

“Good morning, Sanderson,” he said, forcing a smile on his face, but it might not have looked authentic because the man did not return his smile.

Now that he stood closer, he noticed a coolness in the other man’s countenance.

“I am not sure I share your opinion about the morning, but perhaps I am not in the best of moods. I presume you are here to see Lady Selina?”

“Yes,” Richard answered simply, his eyes glued to Peter’s face to catch any changes in his expression.

You are here to see her as well. What did she tell you? Is she now your betrothed?

“I believe she would be most glad to see you. You make her smile in ways even I cannot.” Sanderson smiled ruefully. “That is probably because you have something I do not. You have her love. You are truly a lucky man. I hope you realize that before it is too late,” he said, patting Richard’s shoulder on his way down.

It took Richard some time to recover from the shock, but when he did, he realized that Selina was still unhitched. She had not said yes to the Earl!

His relief was so acute that he felt dizzy, realizing at that moment how tense he was with the thought that he had lost her.

Looking up into the clear skies, he swore that the sun was winking at him. He thanked the good Lord for the rare opportunity to make amends, promising never to let her go if he could convince her to be with him—to marry him and become his Duchess. Because he knew that he wanted her by his side now and always.

He just prayed that she would listen and be willing to forgive him. He didn’t quite mind groveling several times if it could buy her forgiveness and love.

Shrugging his shoulders, he held tightly to this second chance and climbed up the rest of the steps. He took a deep breath before he ventured into the lion’s den because he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Perhaps he might be lucky enough to meet with Selina without having to encounter her overprotective brothers—maybe at least Herbert—because he did not want to experience Stephen’s wrath.

He had probably betrayed their friendship by touching his sister inappropriately when he was supposed to be guiding her. He would be lucky to leave with only a black eye if he encountered the Duke.

He wouldn’t blame him if he decided to batter his body as punishment for his crimes. He had no sisters, but he did know that every lady deserved to have protective brothers by her side. Selina had them in abundance, and he had provoked their wrath when he allowed his lust for her to take control.

Fighting the urge to flee like a coward, he raised his hand to knock, but before his hand could touch the door, it swung open, and part of his fears became real. It was Herbert, brewing with anger. Someone must have seen him through the window and informed Herbert because he looked hostile and unfriendly.

“Good morning, My Lord,” Richard said with a wry smile, bowing slightly.

It was a little too formal, and Herbert should be the one greeting him because of his higher rank, but beggars could not be choosers. In this case, Richard was the beggar, desperate for the chance to storm into that house and find the love of his life.

“What do you want?” Herbert asked, his expression drawn and unfriendly.

“Is Lady Selina here?” Richard asked hopefully.

“I fail to see how that information will be of use to you. I believe you might have taken the wrong turn on your way home.”

“I do know the way back to my house. Thank you,” he said with a smile, pushing down the irritation that rose in his chest. “I am here to see Lady Selina. Could you please inform her of my presence?”

“I fail to see why you would be at the home of an unmarried woman who you swore you could never marry,” Herbert said with a cruel twist of his lips. “I believe you have done enough damage. Go home, Your Grace. Do not return here again.”

He remained at the door, effectively preventing Richard from entering the house.

Being a duke meant that all doors in the kingdom were open to Richard, but at this moment, the Wilkins’ mansion front door was the most important one.

“I cannot leave until I have completed my mission here.”

“And what might that be? You have hurt my sister deeply. What more do you want?” Herbert asked, his eyes flashing with rage.

In his anger, Richard could also see the pain the younger man felt, witnessing his sister’s heartache, and at that moment, the guilt struck him anew.

“Please stay away from my sister,” Herbert said in a firm tone.

Richard was about to argue but was halted by the sound of Selina’s voice. She had probably heard their altercation and had decided to intervene.

“Herbert, please,” she said.

Looking up to where she stood at the top of the stairs with the poise of queen, he was entranced once more. Her dark hair fell over skin that glittered with health. She was still the beauty that haunted his dreams. The woman who he was hopelessly and madly in love with.

Well, she was still the same, except she was not quite the same. Her bright, vibrant energy was missing.

There was a stillness to her, as if she was far away, even though she stood right there with them in the flesh.

“Thank you, Herbert, but I can handle it from here,” she said softly, ignoring the mutinous look that Herbert gave her.

In a matter of moments, her brother had gone back into the house, and they were left alone.

“How are you?” Richard asked, for a lack of something to say.

“How do you think I am faring?” she shot back, facing him squarely.

He looked closely at her, and suddenly he was able to see the toll heartbreak had taken on her. She was still beautiful, but her eyes were empty, entirely lacking the mischievous light he had fallen in love with.

In its place was a cool look that was a testament to how jaded she was becoming. Her face was drawn and pale, as if she had fallen sick or had spent a lot of time crying.

He had done this. He had turned a beautiful, spirited young woman into a shell of herself simply because of his cowardice. He wondered how he would start to make this right, but he had to try, both for her sake and his.

“I am sorry, Selina,” he began haltingly. “I am sorry that I threw away our love simply because I was afraid of the unknown. I love you so much I can barely breathe without you by my side. I promise to spend my life with you, apologizing for my mistakes while loving you. I am no longer going to be a coward. I am willing to embrace this journey no matter where it takes us, so long as I have you by my side. Please, marry me?”

He could feel her thawing with each word he said; it was there in the tension that left her shoulders and in the subtle trembling of her hands as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

The last part caused her head to jerk up, her eyes searching his. Fragile hope bloomed in those green depths. But just as soon as the hope appeared, it disappeared, replaced by a wary look. His heart broke that he had turned her into this wary woman who was now afraid to trust easily.

“Why have you changed your mind about marriage? I thought you were firmly averse to it.”

“I am not averse to marrying you, my love. It is you I want to be with for the rest of my life. If you will have me.”

He held firmly to the hope in his heart that she didn’t decide to turn her back on him.

At first, her expression remained blank, then tears gathered in her eyes, spilling over her cheeks. Her hands tightened into fists by her sides. She raised one of them and punched his arm again and again until she was sobbing in earnest.

He gathered her into his arms at that moment, whispering gibberish in her ear as he sought to soothe her, patting her back until she calmed down.

“You do know you are a fool, Your Grace,” she muttered against his chest, causing him to chuckle in relief.

“Yes, but you are not my naive bluestocking anymore.”

“I still love reading,” she said in protest.

“I will endeavor to buy you all the books you want. I will even listen to you review them.”

“Promise?” she asked, stepping away to stare at him with trusting eyes.

His heart soared with love as he replied, “I promise. Does this mean you accept my proposal, My Lady?”

“Yes, of course I do, you oaf,” she said, punching his arm again.

He was so relieved and happy. He held her tighter and buried his face into her sweet-smelling hair. He never wanted to let her go. If he had his way, he would absorb her into him so that she became one with him.

They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat rather loudly, and they broke apart to see Stephen standing at the top of the stairs, his arms folded over his chest.

“I should hope that you plan to make an honest woman out of my sister, with the way you are embracing her in broad daylight. I never would have expected it of you. I always thought you were a stickler for propriety,” he said with an arched eyebrow.

“I do not think he is anymore,” Selina said, her musical laughter bringing a smile to her brother’s lips.

They had been forced to endure her gloominess over the past few days, and hearing her laugh was a welcome change. Richard obviously thought so as well because he was staring at her helplessly.

“Perhaps I no longer care what they think,” he said, staring into her eyes, his love for her shining bright.

Not when the prize is having you in my arms .

“Oy, love birds,” Hebert called, clapping his hands to remind them of his presence. “You can moon over each other later. I believe we have more pressing issues at hand.”

“Such as?” Selina asked, still making eyes at Richard.

“There is the matter of the dowry,” Stephen answered dryly, forcing them to focus their attention on him. “I also have some scores to settle with Seymour before he becomes my brother-in-law. He has to pay for his crimes,” he added firmly.

“And what crimes are those, if I might ask?” she asked.

“He should have known better than to touch his friend’s sister, especially when I had instructed him to ‘guide’ her.”

“That is ridiculous. He didn’t do anything untoward.”

“Your opinion on this matter does not count. This is a matter of honor between two gentlemen.”

“How did you know that he had anything to do with me, Stephen?” she asked, shooting Herbert a suspicious look.

“Sorry, Sister, you know how persuasive brothers can be,” Hebert said with a sheepish smile.

She did know he was a trained warrior and quite adept at wheedling out information.

“The faster we have this conversation, the faster the matter is settled, and I can return to my wife,” Stephen said, turning to head to his study.

“Do not worry, my love. I am made of sterner stuff than you know,” Richard said with a reassuring smile.

“Stay safe,” Selina said, a concerned look on her face, before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

She stood there for a while, watching him walk into the study.

Men were such contrary creatures at times, she thought with a shake of her head.