Chapter 3
His First Approach
T he evening was a disaster and Selina had been awkward during dinner. Eleanor Buxton kept asking her questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. It frustrated her that she would keep prodding into her life and make it a spectacle.
Patricia did nothing to stop her; it was Henry Batten who came to her aid. Whenever he saw Selina get uncomfortable, he told Eleanor to stop and switched the topic swiftly. He looked after her during the meal and for that Selina was grateful.
The earl said barely anything that evening. When he spoke, he had a rich, pleasant sounding baritone. But he never directed it at her while he spoke to everyone else.
Was he embarrassed about her social status?
Selina excused herself soon after dinner, implying that she was worn out. But she couldn’t sleep and fitfully tossed and turned while lying awake. She knew it was pointless to think about it. Men, in her opinion, were strange creatures, but it didn’t stop Selina wondering if she had done something undesirable.
It was long after midnight when Selina finally fell asleep. The sun was barely making light through the curtains when the door to her bedroom burst open, and Patricia came bounding through, wearing a flimsy robe over her nightgown. She bounced onto the bed and patted Selina’s hip before shaking it.
“Hey, you. Rise and shine. Aren’t you up yet?”
Selina moaned and rolled over in bed. It was as if she was swimming in treacle; her head was fuzzy. She rubbed her eyes and tried to find the clock.
“What time is it?”
“Six-thirty.”
“Pardon me?” Selina couldn’t believe Patricia was awake. She adored her bed too much to get up this early. Selina managed to sit upright against the wall. “Why are you up already? Is there a fire?”
“I was just too excited to sleep.” Patricia’s eyes were shining. She looked like she had barely got any sleep but her eyes were twinkling. “That was an amazing dinner last night.”
Selina grunted.
“It was all right, I guess.” She pulled her knees up under the sheets and hugged them. “One of those things.”
“One of those things? It was incredible. Lots of gaiety, laughter, the works.” Patricia grinned. “Uncle Henry knows how to throw a good party.”
“Either that happened after I went to bed or you had a different party.”
“Only because you had Mrs. Buxton latch on to you.”
Selina glared at her friend. She remembered that too.
“I thought you said you would help me out with her. Oh, no, I forgot.” She pretended to slap herself around the head. “You were too busy making eyes at the Earl of Newark.”
That was true enough. Patricia had been so focused on the earl and his polite talk, she didn't notice that Selina needed her help. She had forgotten her part of the promise.
“Harry’s adorable.” Patricia gushed. She seemed to have completely ignored Selina’s accusation. “Polite, considerate, and very handsome.”
“He barely said a word throughout the entire night. The only person he showed any animation for was your uncle.”
While it was clear Earl Newark loved and respected Mr. Batten, it annoyed her that he didn’t seem to show any other emotion towards anyone else that didn’t sound like forced politeness.
“Well, he was very polite.” Patricia tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I saw him looking at me a few times. I think he finds me attractive.”
“Maybe get him to say something next time,” Selina said is desperation. “That would be beneficial.”
Patricia didn’t seem to hear her. She sighed and stared off into space. Then she realized where she was and snapped back to the present.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Uncle Henry told me about a ball at another house in the county. It’s at the end of the week, and he wants to take both of us.”
“A ball?” Selina felt the panic rising as she sat up straighter. “I haven’t packed for a ball.”
“Oh, come on, Selina! You know I always love to go to big festivities.”
Selina knew, but often she stayed behind as she didn’t care for crowds. Selina enjoyed talking to people and mingling, but she didn’t want to do it to the extent others did. Balls were typically filled with people dancing, looking for potential spouses and gossiping. In her case, Selina was the one who came as a companion and was the one more likely to commit a gaffe. It wasn’t something she wanted to encounter anytime soon.
But Henry was offering to take her to a ball even though he knew she didn’t like them? Selina hoped Patricia was joking.
Patricia sighed.
“Look, you can borrow one of mine. We’re about the same size.” She patted her friend’s knee. “You’ll be fine. A big smile and you’ll be the belle of the ball. After me, that is.”
She giggled. Selina groaned and shoved her friend, barely hiding her laughter.
“Honestly, Patty!”
“Maybe you could hover near Uncle Henry,” Patricia suggested. “He adores you.”
“I’ll probably do that.” Being in Henry Batten’s company was better than nothing. Selina yawned and lay down again. “And now, may I get some sleep?”
She was pulling her covers over her head as Patricia left, sleep catching hold before the door closed.
***
Newark wished he didn’t have to be here. He hated balls. Limited numbers were tolerable, but this was too much for his liking. His father hadn’t been bothered by it at all while his mother had disliked big crowds. So, Newark had been ridiculed by his father for this weakness.
The few friends Newark had, including Henry, respected his feelings. Despite this, Henry had convinced Newark to attend this ball at the Buxton’s. Newark feels like he can’t breathe.
He truly wants to spend time with Selina, but he is terrified to talk to her.
Newark wished he was more confident with women. Right now he was sure Selina thought he disliked her and he didn’t want her to have that opinion.
Henry looked over when the earl fiddled with his sleeve again for the fifth time in ten minutes. He gave him a quick poke.
“Stop fiddling with that.”
Newark growled.
“Why did I agree to this?”
“Because I convinced you.” Henry shook his head. “I can’t believe I have to do this for you. You’re in your thirties, and you can’t talk properly to a woman.”
“Henry, I had plenty of years as a child being teased and laughed at by girls. My first couple of seasons were awful. You think I’d get any confidence after all that? And with my father?”
“I’d expect a little.” Henry sighed. “Selina will think you aren’t attracted to her.”
Newark thought she already was of that opinion. Her’s weren’t looks of adoration like Patricia’s, it was indifference.
He had a long way to go.
Then he caught sight of the two young women coming into the room. They had taken separate carriages, Earl Newark and Henry going on ahead while Patricia and Selina followed later. Now Newark wished he had traveled with Selina. Dressed in a pale blue dress with her hair up, she was the picture of loveliness. He also noticed the strain in her eyes, as though she didn’t want to be there.
Newark could empathize.
Henry tugged at his arm and led him across the room. Patricia, dressed in sunflower yellow and looking like she had too much makeup on, saw them first. She beamed and waved frantically, almost making a fool of herself.
Typical Patricia. She tried to follow the rules, but she was simply her loud, bouncy self. Newark admired her for being that. It was just a pity he didn’t find her attractive enough to be his wife.
“Evening, girls.” Henry kissed Patricia’s hand and then Selina’s. “I was wondering when you would appear.”
“One of us likes to be fashionably late,” Selina answered, giving Patricia a pointed look. Patricia rolled her eyes.
“We’re only an hour late.”
/>
Henry held a hand out to Patricia.
“Fancy a dance, Patty?”
Patricia grinned and slipped her hand into her uncle’s.
“Most certainly.” She looked over at Selina and nodded towards the earl. “Go ahead, Selina, you go with Newark. Keep him occupied from the other girls until I get there.”
She winked at Newark, and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He turned to Selina, who looked like a frightened rabbit. This was his chance to let her know that he was attracted to her.
Even then, Newark felt his stomach tie up in knots. Straightening his coat, he held out a hand.
“Shall we?”
Selina hesitated. She looked ready to refuse, but then nodded and slipped her hand into his. Her hand was soft and warm.
“Of course.”
Newark felt like he was floating on air. Finally, he was touching her. He led her to the dance-floor. Now to dance without treading on her toes.
Chapter 4
When They Connect
S elina couldn’t believe it. She was dancing with Harcourt Egerton, the 9th Earl of Newark. And it was nothing like she expected.
He was a terrible dancer and incredibly awkward. He could cover it well but when you were dancing with him it was easy to tell. It didn’t help, either, that Selina wasn’t adept at dancing either. She kept stumbling, and if not holding on to Newark, she would have ended up flat on her face on the floor.
He was surprised they were still upright.
Towards the end of the dance, Selina twisted her foot over a little too much and caught herself against Newark before she fell. Newark’s arms came around her and held her. Selina could feel her face burning and tried to look anywhere but at the man holding her upright.
“I’m so sorry.” He mumbled. “I’m not normally this clumsy.”
Newark’s mouth twitched in a slight smile. His face changed from good-looking to devastatingly handsome. It was incredible how one simple movement in his face could change him completely.
“You make me wonder what you’re like normally.”
“I…” Selina closed her eyes and stepped away from him. This was embarrassing. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
This was why she didn’t dance at balls. She was a dreadful dancer and men noticed straight away. Then they avoided her for the rest of the night which left Selina in a sour disposition.
And Patricia kept wondering why she wanted to stay away from these events.
“Would you like to sit?” Newark asked.
Selina nodded appreciatively. Then she bit her lip when she realized how it looked.
“If you don’t mind?”
Newark shrugged. Taking her hand, he led her to the edge of the room to the chairs. Selina sank onto one of them gratefully. Newark knelt in front of her, still holding on to her hand.
“Better?”
“A little.” Selina ducked her head, aware that she was still blushing an embarrassing shade of red. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Not everyone is graceful,” He backtracked quickly, “I’m not saying you’re not graceful normally. I …”
“I know what you mean.” Selina managed a smile, glad he wasn't cruel to her. “I’m normally graceful. Just not tonight, obviously.”
Newark smiled back. And Selina felt as though her stomach had caged butterflies. How was this man still unmarried? Any sensible woman would have scooped him up within moments of seeing him.
The women were obviously blind and stupid.
“Would you like a drink?” Newark asked.
It took a moment for Selina to nod in agreement.
“Yes, please, that would be wonderful.”
Newark squeezed her hand and stood.
“Stay here Selina. Don’t go away.”
“I won’t.”
Selina watched as Newark disappeared through the throng towards the dining hall. Some people were looking at her curiously. Selina ducked her head and put her face in her hands. It was embarrassing enough she had made a spectacle of herself on the dance-floor without this. An earl tending to a companion.
“Why did I have to say yes?”
***
“Pretty dress.”
Selina looked towards the voice to see a young man sitting beside her. Slim, wearing a dark blue jacket with blond hair cut short and cornflower-blue eyes, he was the epitome of the well to do. He was a handsome young man. Everything about him screamed “wealth,” and that at once made Selina defensive. It also screamed “arrogant.” She didn’t care for those people after they inevitably came to realize that she wasn’t one of them and preyed on her.
Selina had learned to put up her guard. She sat up, laying her hands in her lap.
“Thank you.”
“Does Patty know you’re wearing it?”
His expression said he would enjoy being cruel to her about wearing someone else’s dress. Selina tightened her jaw.
“No. She let me borrow it. Do you know Patty?”
“I know her. We were friends as children.” He grinned as he stuck out a hand. “Spencer Morgan.”
“Selina Musgrove.” Selina didn’t shake his hand. “I’ve known Patty since childhood.”
“Oh, really?” Spencer chuckled. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”
Selina said nothing. Patricia would frustrate her terribly, and Selina often felt like lashing out but, overall, Patricia was her friend. And she was loyal to those she considered friends.
“I say,” Spencer looked her over again, “You wear that dress better than she does.”
Selina flushed and looked away.
“I don’t know what your intentions are when you say that?” She said as succinctly as she could. She wanted to tell him to leave her be, but she didn’t want to be rude.
“Take it as a compliment.”
“If Patty were here, she wouldn’t be too happy to hear you say that. She likes this dress and blue is a good color on her.”
“It looks better on you.” Spencer insisted.
He still sounded very smooth. Selina guessed he was on the second plan most spoiled rich boys followed: berate and tease the lesser women and when that didn’t work they would try to seduce and make fools of them. Selina would not be going along, and he was making her very uncomfortable.
Where was Newark? He should be back by now. She looked away and kept herself composed. When Selina really wanted to do was give him a coarse remark and leave, but that would give him more fodder, and she had to remember her place.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Spencer asked.
“The Earl of Newark.” Selina didn’t look at him. “He’s getting me a drink.”
Spencer snorted rudely.
“Him? He won’t be coming back. Fancy some company?”
Selina frowned in distaste.
“Your bad manners are only exceeded by your rudeness. I would ask that you leave me be.”
“I know a pretty girl when I see one. And I don’t leave them alone.”
Selina didn’t like his disrespect of Newark. They may not be on amiable terms yet, but he was surely a finer gentleman than Spencer Morgan.
“What about if the girl wants you to leave them alone?” She shot back. “Will you take a suggestion or do you need an outright order?”
Spencer chuckled.
“That would depend if I was listening.”
Selina realized this was not going well.
Chapter 5
Only Person to Understand
N ewark hurried to get a glass of water for Selina. The line to the refreshments was long, but he collected one and snuck off with no one noticing. While being shy and quiet was a problem for a man of his standing, it had its advantages.
When he returned, Newark sought Selina out at once and caught sight of her. She hadn’t moved as he half-expected her to. She was still there.
But Spencer Morgan was also there. He was sitting beside her and looked a little too close for New
ark’s liking. Selina’s posture showed she didn’t appreciate his company, but she was too polite to move.
Newark felt the first stirrings of anger. He wanted to protect Selina from rogues like Spencer Morgan. Most women didn’t realize he was a rake until it was too late.
Newark advanced on them, keeping his eyes on Selina. He nodded at Spencer and handed the glass to Selina.
“Spencer.”
Spencer barked out a laugh.
“Oh, Harry Egerton. We were wondering where you’d gone. Don’t worry.” He put an arm around Selina’s shoulders. “I’ve been keeping Selina company.”
Selina was drinking the water but still shrugged his arm away. Newark almost felt proud of her. He held out an arm.
“Lest I remind you, Spencer, it’s Earl Newark to you now. Shall we, Selina?”
Selina lowered the glass and nodded. Newark felt satisfaction she wanted to leave with him. He held out his arm as she stood, biting back a smirk as she laid a hand on his sleeve.
“No need.” Spencer stood, standing a little too close to Selina. “We’ve been enjoying ourselves.”
Selina stiffened. Her face showed composure, but her hand tightened on Newark’s wrist.
Selina sounded calm when she said, “I prefer to go with Newark. I promised him another dance.”
“Of course.”
Newark willingly went along with it. Anything to get away from Spencer. Spencer looked surprised and skeptical.
“You promised him a dance? He’s got two left feet.”
“So have I but nobody is complaining.”
Newark swallowed back a laugh, smirking at Spencer as he turned his back on the man.
“Take your leave, Spencer.”
Selina didn’t relax until they had walked to the other end of the room. Coming to a stop behind a tall potted plant, she took her hand away from his arm and leaned against the wall. She gave a smile that made Newark feel warm inside.
“Thank you. He was making me most uncomfortable.”
“I could see that.” Newark laid the glass on the rim of the plant pot. “I’m sorry I left you with him.”
“Nobody knew he would approach me.” Selina peered up at him. “Are you all right?”
Regency Romances Page 118
