Page 10 of A Duchess Untouched

“I will have my men take care of this. I never want to see you in such a place again. Now… you mentioned something about our marriage earlier,” he murmured. “What did you mean when you said, ‘not for long’?”

Selina felt a sudden cold dread overcome her. This was it. The Duke might make a decision based on what he felt about her and her father’s situation. While the whole marriage was arranged, ending it would be detrimental to her. She would be the duchess cast aside. Unwanted. Even though she was still a virgin, that would be in question. After all, how was that possible when she married a young, virile duke?

“It is your mother,” she said softly. “The Dowager Duchess wishes to annul our marriage.”

Matthew froze in place. Selina looked at his face with curiosity and noticed that all the muscles in his face had gone still as he worked out what the information meant. She then considered how she could guide his thoughts so they would come to her side in this situation.

“On what grounds?” he asked, as if he truly did not know what the reason could possibly be.

“On the grounds of non-consummation or… or… impotence,” she replied, not disguising her exasperation. His jaw clenched so hard she thought it might snap. “She has already consulted her solicitor. She believes that the marriage should be annulled because it has been completely abandoned for four years and has no heirs. Unless, of course, we can provide her with one.”

Selina held her breath. If pity would not move him, perhaps his pride would, and so she let the silence stretch a moment longer than was comfortable before she added, “I only tell you this so that you might decide what becomes of your own name, rather than leave it to your mother’s solicitors while you are away.”

“I cannot stay in London for too long, so this is out of the question.”

No heirs, indeed. Selina was not surprised, but she still felt disappointed and clenched her hands into fists.

“Oh.”

“Still, she cannot do that,” the Duke growled, his face completely transforming into something dark and dangerous. “I will not allow it.”

“The Dowager Duchess is a very determined woman. I cannot fault her, though. You have shown absolutely no interest in me for four years. She assumes you will be easily persuaded to wash your hands of me.”

The Duke had no chance to respond, for the carriage lurched to a halt. They had arrived at Wentley House, and what a welcome awaited them. Laughter and lively music spilled from every illuminated window.

“What is the meaning of this? Is my mother hosting a soiree?” he demanded.

“Oh, but she hosts them regularly,” Selina replied, not seeing what was wrong with it. The Dowager Duchess could entertain herself if she wanted to. The house needed some lights and laughs, and Selina and Oliver were not exactly what one would describe as lively.

“Our conversation is not over, but first, I need to have a word with my mother.” Matthew flung the carriage door open and stepped down. He had no use for a footman. He whirled around, reached for Selina’s hand, and guided her down.

Earlier, he had carried her, but she was still startled by the jolt she experienced when his hand touched her. Yet he appeared not to notice, his eyes remaining concentrated on what was going on inside. He opened the doors without knocking and pushed so hard that they hit the walls.

The butler, Dawson, a dignified man in his early sixties who had for many years been serving the Sheffields, gasped, the silver tray clinking in his hands when he saw his master arriving in a rage.

Matthew did not spare a word for Dawson or the rest of the gawking servants. He strode straight for the drawing room, Selina hurrying to keep pace. Inside, it seemed half of London’s high society had gathered. A bitter thought struck her. Was the Dowager Duchess celebrating the impending annulment already?

Antoinette was at the heart of the gathering, surrounded by her nearest friends, all of them dressed as elegantly as ever. The room only seemed to take notice of them when the music suddenly stopped. Maximus barked, clearly pleased by the sudden attention.

“Out,” Matthew ordered. “All of you, leave. Get out of my house this instant!”

Chapter 5

“Have you finally completely taken leave of your senses, Matthew?”

The Dowager Duchess, as expected, would not go down without a fight. She stepped forward from her circle of friends, all of whom stood with their jaws hanging, her skirts rustling with barely contained annoyance at being interrupted. Her eyes swept over her son, taking in his muddy riding coat, his wild hair, the stubble darkening his jaw, and finding all of it wanting.

“You have quite the nerve to return to London all of a sudden with that filthy dog of yours to ridicule my guests and me!”

Said guests were being ushered out of the house by Dawson and the rest of the servants, some still casting curious glances at mother and son as they went.

Matthew did not flinch at his mother’s words. His fingers rested lightly at Selina’s wrist. Despite everything, he did not believe she was afraid of his mother. His thumb reached for her knuckles and brushed them to soothe her, or himself. There was a slight hitch in her breath, but it was too soft.

“Do remember, Mother, that I am the one paying for your affluent lifestyle,” Matthew said, his voice becoming deeper. “Therefore, you must show my wife and me some respect.”

“Respect?” the Dowager Duchess echoed, her chest heaving with effort. “Matthew, you have abandoned your responsibilities for four years. Years, Matthew. Do you still expect to dictate what happens in this household after you seem to have washed your hands of it?”

“Still, I will not have you decide whether to annul my marriage or not behind my back,” Matthew growled, striding closer to his mother. He had Selina follow slightly behind him.