Chapter 2
Two
Lady Gillray decided Selina would be sleeping in the servants’ quarters until it was time to leave for the Duke Hunt, but Selina didn’t care. She knew there was no use arguing with her godmother, and she was happy that she was reunited with her sister.
“It’s so wonderful to see you again,” Christine said. “Honestly, sometimes I wish I had been sent to boarding school with you.”
Selina smiled. “Boarding school was rarely fun. I would have enjoyed seeing you more, but I’m glad Lady Gillray let you stay with her. Everyone would have thought you were in on Charles’ schemes as well.”
Christine made a face at the mention of their older brother, while Selina felt a pang of sadness.
She had been close to her brother. At least, she had thought they were close, but she didn’t really know him at all.
Christine reached out to grab her hand. “You are innocent, too. You had no idea Charles was asking everyone to invest in railroads in America, let alone that the railroads were not real!”
“They never would have believed that, even if Lady Gillray allowed me to stay,” she said.
Selina shook her head, as if she could rid herself of the painful memories. “Let’s talk about something else,” she said. “Are you excited for the Duke Hunt?”
Christine grinned. “The Dowager Duchess of Greystone has a reputation for being a little eccentric,” Christine said. “Perhaps this event’s main attraction will be her grandson, the Duke of Greystone.” She shuddered. “I suppose he will be at the gathering. Hopefully, he will take no notice of us.”
“Is he an unpleasant man?” Selina knew nothing about the Duke of Greystone. She had never met him during her first Season, and because she had no taste for gossip rags, she knew very little about people of the ton except what her sister had told her in letters.
“Most unpleasant,” Christine said. “I have never met him personally, of course. But he has a reputation since… well… something about the late duchess. But from what I understand, he is cruel, and people try to avoid him if possible.”
Selina smiled. “Well, rest assured, we would surely not spark his interest. However, there will be plenty of other men there, I’m sure. Perhaps one of them will catch your eye.”
Christine giggled and blushed. “Perhaps you’re right. Just think, one of us could end up with an engagement by the end of the Duke Hunt!”
Two days after Selina arrived at Gillray Manor, it was time to go to the Duke Hunt. Selina got herself ready to go to Greystone Manor and then helped Christine, who needed to hurry. She had been delayed because Lady Gillray insisted Christine act as her lady’s maid while denying her one of her own.
On the way to the manor, Lady Gillray again insisted that Selina find employment.
“I might have been generous with your schooling, but I will not stand for you to bleed me dry. If you do not find a suitable position tonight, then you will have to start earning your keep in the manor. I’m sure the chef could use your work in the kitchen. ”
“For heaven’s sake, that is not necessary,” Christine said, looking aghast. “You told her she has one month.”
“She has one month to find employment so she can start paying off her debt to me,” Lady Gillray said. “But that doesn’t mean she can put herself into more debt with me. If she wants to stay under my roof after the Duke Hunt, then she must earn her keep.”
“It’s all right,” Selina said. “I learned to cook at school, and I admit I quite enjoy it. I will be happy to lend a hand, if the cook is willing to take it.” I would rather be in the kitchens than be forced to talk to you every day.
Lady Gillray looked disgruntled; her insult hadn’t had the same sting that she had expected it would, and she was silent for the rest of the carriage ride, much to the delight of the two sisters, who chatted merrily about the upcoming event until they reached the manor.
The butler welcomed them into the home, giving them a slight bow as they entered. He showed them outside to the pavilion right outside the manor, where some of the other guests were mingling with each other over refreshments.
The dowager duchess greeted them immediately with a warm, cheerful smile. “I am so pleased to see you three,” she said.
Selina couldn’t help but return the smile as she curtsied. “Thank you for your generous invitation, Your Grace. Your home is lovely.”
She beamed. “I cannot wait to show you the grounds. You will get a good look at them during the main event.”
“May I ask what the main event is, Your Grace? I must admit, I am intrigued by the name Duke Hunt.”
“You shall have to wait and see,” she said. “Not even my own grandson has been able to get me to reveal my secrets.”
Before Selina could respond, they heard a shout in the distance, and something small came hurtling at them. Several of the ladies leaped back, gasping.
“Heavens!” Lady Gillray exclaimed. “What feral creature is this?”
The ‘feral creature’ happened to be a small dog, who was quite interested in the refreshments table. He was jumping, trying to reach the hors d’oeuvres on the table.
“That foul beast has gone mad!” Lady Gillray said.
Selina couldn’t help but smile as she approached the dog.
She approached it too quickly, and it startled slightly, but then she held out her hand for the dog to sniff.
“You’re a cute little thing,” she cooed.
“You’re hardly a foul beast.” She patted the dog on the head.
“You’re just a cute little cocker spaniel. ”
“Selina, stop!” Lady Gillray demanded. “You do not know where that creature has been.”
“It is clean and well groomed,” Selina responded as she picked up the dog. The dog licked her face, and she smiled.
“For heaven’s sakes, that thing will bite you!” her godmother said.
“It doesn’t seem very violent to me. Just hungry.” She grabbed a small piece of chicken from the refreshment table and fed it to the dog. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” she cooed. “I know what you want. You don’t have to speak for me to understand you.”
A frazzled-looking man came rushing onto the pavilion. His face went pale when he saw Selina holding the dog. “I beg your pardon, my lady,” he said, bowing low. “This one escaped without my knowing. Please forgive me for the intrusion.”
“It was no intrusion at all,” Selina said, handing the dog over to him. “He was a perfect gentleman. He just wanted some refreshments. That’s all.”
The man bowed again and then walked away with the dog. It was only after the pair left that Selina realized everyone was staring at her. Her cheeks burned. She had not even been here five minutes, and she had already made a fool of herself. She only hoped no one would hold it against her sister.
“Forgive me,” she said, her voice a little shaky as she wiped at her cheek where the dog had licked her. “I forgot myself for a moment.”
The dowager duchess smiled, a thoughtful expression on her face. “There is nothing to forgive. I personally think the world could use a little more compassion, don’t you?”
She turned to the other guests. “It wouldn’t be a proper party if there weren’t some unexpected excitement,” she said, laughing. “Please, carry on.”
Selina struggled to keep her shoulders squared and her head held high. Christine came up to her. “I think that was a kind thing that you did,” she said. “Besides, who could resist such a cute dog?”
“Everyone else here, apparently,” Selina muttered.
Lady Gillray hurried up to them and grabbed Christine’s arm.
“The Earl of Westbridge has just arrived,” she said.
“I’ve heard that he’s looking for a wife.
I must introduce you immediately.” She didn’t even glance at Selina as she pulled Christine to talk to the nobleman who had just entered the pavilion.
Selina approached the dowager duchess. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but might I trouble you for a maid to show me to my room? I would like to rest somewhere before the ball tonight. I am quite tired.”
The older lady’s eyes gleamed. “Nonsense, my dear,” she said. “I shall show you myself.”
The two of them went inside the manor together. Selina couldn’t help but be relieved to be away from the other guests who witnessed her spectacle with the dog.
“Your room has already been prepared,” the dowager said. “You will be able to rest in peace before the ball.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Your hospitality is much appreciated.” She was relieved.
Selina had not slept well at her godmother’s manor, and not just because she was confined to a narrow cot in a vacant servant’s room.
After spending five years sleeping in the same room at finishing school, it felt strange to be sleeping anywhere else, especially under the same roof as a woman who loathed her.
“It is no trouble, my dear. And when it is just us, perhaps we can forgo the formalities. After all, I held you when you were only a baby. I do not think they are necessary.”
“Truly?” Selina looked at her, shocked. She had no idea. She didn’t think she had ever personally met the dowager duchess before today.
“Indeed,” the older woman said, her eyes twinkling. “Your mother and I were friends, you know. You look quite a bit like her.”
Selina smiled, even as the back of her eyes started to sting. “My father told me I look like her, too. I’m afraid I don’t remember her as much as I wish to.”
“She was taken from us too young.” She sighed and shook her head. “I am afraid that when my son passed, I did not maintain my friendships as much as I wished I did. So I didn’t see her very much in her last few years.”
Selina was only five years old when her mother passed during Christine’s birth. She smiled sadly.
“Forgive me, talking about such unpleasant topics,” the dowager duchess laughed softly. “Tell me, are you looking to make a love match while you are here? That is the purpose for this little gathering, after all.”
Selina smiled. “I am mostly here to be with my sister. I have dearly missed her, after all.”
“Of course. Five years is too long to be away from one’s family. It is unfortunate that circumstances pulled you apart for so long. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if you made a love match? Then you would end up with children of your own.”
A pang of sadness hit Selina at that. “I have always wanted children,” she said. “I love children, after all. But I don’t believe that will be in my immediate future. However, perhaps I will find work as a governess. That could be just as fun.”
“Oh, so you’re looking for employment?”
Selina got the feeling that the dowager duchess was prying for something, but she couldn’t imagine what. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I hope to find work as a governess or lady’s companion. It is the most practical future for me.”
“You do seem quite practical.” The dowager duchess smiled. “I have been pondering a hypothetical question lately. Would you mind humoring me about it?”
“I admit I’m intrigued.” They went up a flight of stairs to the second floor as they talked.
“Do you think it is possible for one to escape the horrors of their past?”
Now she knew why the dowager duchess was asking her about that hypothetical. Perhaps she was looking for gossip about the scandal to share with her friends. Selina was a little disappointed about that. “I certainly hope so,” she said. “But I suppose it depends on the person, doesn’t it?”
“Quite right, my dear,” the dowager said. They were silent for a moment before the older lady spoke again. “You know, I have heard that the Countess of Longshire is considering raising her sister’s child. The poor woman passed not long ago, you know.”
“That sounds like a noble thing to do,” Selina said, smiling. She didn’t know what caused the change in subject, but she was glad for it.
“Yes, I believe so too. But the countess has some reservations. She is not sure if it is possible to love an adopted child as much as one born from herself. What do you think?”
“Of course it’s possible,” Selina said. “I believe that if someone is meant to be a mother, then they will love their child no matter where they came from. I know some people think the maternal instinct comes from giving birth, but I’ve met many girls in finishing school whose mothers treat them like strangers or nuisances despite them sharing the same blood, so I do not think that is the case. ”
The dowager was beaming. “I was hoping you would say that, my dear.”
Selina bit her lip. “If I may, is there a particular reason why—”
“I’m afraid I must get back to the party,” the dowager said suddenly. “We are not far from your room, however. Just go up the stairs at the end of the hallway. It will be the third room on the left. I hope you feel better, dear.” She gave a wave before turning back down the hall.
Selina watched her go for a moment, unable to stop worrying.
Was the dowager duchess feeling all right?
Perhaps she was struck with an illness that would explain her strange behavior.
She had known the dowager duchess had a reputation for being mildly eccentric, but nothing could have prepared her for that conversation.
If she is feeling unwell, then either she or her son will find her a physician.
She wondered where the Duke of Greystone was. She knew next to nothing about the man. He was probably down with the other guests, and she had simply not seen him.
She walked up the stairs to the third floor of the manor, which was only dimly lit compared to the other floors.
Not only that, but it was silent. There were no sounds from servants.
No creaking floorboards from the house settling.
Despite the warm weather outside, she felt an uneasy chill prickle over her skin.
She found the third door on the left and opened it. The room was completely dark. Even the curtains were drawn, so next to no light was coming in. That was fine with her.
Instead of trying to find her clothes in the dark, she simply closed the door and slipped out of her afternoon dress. She waved her hand out in front of her until she found a chair. She put the dress on the chair to keep it from wrinkling before loosening the laces of her corset.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she found the bed and lay down. This bed was more comfortable than the one she used at school and certainly the one in her godmother’s manor.
She closed her eyes, ready for a welcome respite before the ball. However, as she turned onto her side, she realized there was a mountain of pillows in the middle of the bed. How odd, she thought to herself.
She tried to rearrange them, only for her hand to meet a hard, warm surface. With horror, she realized she was touching a man’s chest! She snatched her hand back as if she had been burned.
Please be asleep. Please be asleep…
A rich, deep voice smothered any hope she had of leaving unnoticed. “My bedroom is not open to guests.”