He loved her.
He had loved Mary too.
But with Selina, the feelings were different. Stronger. Deeper. With Mary, he had never felt the overpowering lust he felt with Selina. He had loved Mary in a much calmer manner. It was odd actually.
They were very different people and yet he loved them both.
Staring into the ballroom, he knew what he had to do tonight. The idea of watching any other men dance with her while she was not legally his was driving him mad.
He would tell her he loved her.
And he would propose.
Watching her dance, he realized just the way to ask her. Every woman in the ton knew that three dances in one night was as good as a proposal. But he doubted Selina knew that little fact. Not that he was trying to embarrass her. By dancing with her three times, everyone in that room would understand what she meant to him. And no one wanted to upset a duke.
There was no time like the present to set this plan in motion.
Selina stood by the duchess as Mr. Bainbridge bowed over her hand. The dance had been enjoyable but the company less so. The man did nothing but speak of his hounds. Of course, when a man had ten dogs, what else was there to talk about with a woman?
“I would love to call on you tomorrow,” he said as he let go of her hand.
Selina slid a glance to the duchess, begging for assistance.
“I’m terribly sorry, Bainbridge,” the duchess replied, “but we will not be at home tomorrow. We have several calls to make and then shopping to do.”
“Of course, I shall stop by another day, then.” After a quick nod, he walked away.
“And was it dreadful?” the duchess asked with a smirk.
“Nothing but dogs.”
“I had heard he does love those hounds.” The duchess gave a little shiver. “Dreadful things.” She leaned in closer. “Some say they ate his late
wife.”
Selina giggled. “That is a terrible rumor to spread.”
“I didn’t start the rumor.”
Selina looked around as another dance started. She had already decided to sit this one out. It was far too warm in this room. She wondered how the gentle-bred ladies of the ton managed without breaking into a sweat or worse, fainting.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” a deep voice asked from behind her.
She glanced back to see Colin holding two glasses of lemonade. “I am.”
He handed one to her and one to his stepmother. “Would you care to dance again?”
“Thank you but I need a moment to rest.”
“Of course,” he said with a quick nod.
“Northrop,” the duchess said, “Thank you for dancing the first dance with Miss White. It was very kind of you to make certain she didn’t feel left out.”
“It was my pleasure, Your Grace.”
Several of the women surrounding the duchess started whispering to each other. Selina wondered what they could be saying so quickly.
“Would you care for a turn about the room?” Colin asked.