Page 26 of A Duchess Untouched

Although part of her was already racing toward her husband, she knew she would not feel good about not asking Oliver how she could help.

“My health is fine. It is just… Mother is hosting one of her soirees,” her brother-in-law replied.

“As she always does,” Selina murmured, raising an eyebrow.

“This one is different. This one has… taken an unexpected turn.”

“Oh?” Selina could feel her cheeks heating. For some reason, she already suspected that her father had something to do with that particular ‘unexpected turn,’ which did not seem to be anything pleasant.

“Yes. I fear that when Matthew finally departs, things might escalate between my mother and your father. I cannot guarantee his safety,” Oliver said, looking truly distressed. “You see, Mother spent the previous day hiding from him, but today, he intruded on her soiree, and well…”

“I will take care of it, Oliver. I will ensure Papa behaves accordingly,” Selina said, sounding more confident than she truly felt. “Shall we go and see what is going on?”

Oliver gave a little nod, and they strode toward the drawing room. She did not have to ask where the event was being held. The music and chatter were loud enough to act as a beacon.

She stepped into the room, and the noise rose to meet her at once: laughter and chatter and the clink of glasses. None of it troubled her half as much as the sight of her father standing in the middle of it all, a glass of wine in his hand, as though the room and everyone in it belonged to him. Someone would have to see to it that he never got near a bottle in this house again.

Today, though, her papa appeared to be enjoying being the life of a party that he did not even host. He seemed to have the attention of most of the Dowager Duchess’s guests, but Selina suspected it was for all the wrong reasons. Her father could be such a charmer, but it might be because he was at the center of the kind of life he liked. He loved being in the midst of noise, drink, and food. It was not a great idea to have him there at all. Oliver was right to look anxious about it. She was responsible for the father whom she had offered to house. He was her problem, not everyone else’s.

“I am glad that everyone is here. Do partake of the food and wine. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention to everyone that the Dowager Duchess of Wentley is the most magnificent woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Any man who does not see it is a fool that I do not feel is worth speaking to, and I hope she forgives me for offending her in the past,” her father declared.

There were some chuckles coming from different corners of the room. Some even raised their glasses at him, more from amusement, it seemed. Selina’s father had become some sort of entertainment wherever he went, and she did not appreciate it.

The Dowager Duchess did not like it either. Her face was contorted in a frown, and she was fanning herself almost violently. Selina imagined that her mother-in-law would have folded her arms across her chest if she had not thought it inappropriate.

Her friends surrounded her for support, exchanging meaningful looks. Some openly showed disgust, while others murmured to each other. Selina could not imagine any of them saying anything good about her father.

“…her daughter-in-law’s father.”

“Did she know that the Duchess’s family was like this when she had her son marry her?”

“Four years ago!”

“What? And no children?”

“…left as soon as they were married. There is something amiss about the whole affair.”

Selina felt her cheeks heat as she heard snippets from the guests. She had always suspected that most of the ton merely tolerated her presence because of her title. Yet, the fact that she had been left by her husband immediately after their wedding and had no children to show for her marriage made her an easy target.

Some of those eyes looked guilty when they saw Selina entering the room. Others did not care what Selina thought. They met her gaze fearlessly, daring her to say a word.

“Papa, I believe this is enough.”

“On the contrary, I intend to win Her Grace’s affection if it is the last thing I do,” Harleigh continued his speech.

Selina could not tell from where she was if her father was drunk with spirits or desire, or both. He seemed passionate about what he was saying.

“And I have written her a verse for the occasion.” He unfolded a wrinkled piece of paper. There were titters from the crowd, but he did not seem to care. “Oh, beauty to which the sun, uh, lays his, erm… praise? The world is ablaze because of her… bosom. Wait, that does not sound right…”

One of Antoinette’s friends laughed and tried to cover her face with a fan, but failed. The Dowager herself was fanning herself, not from anger now, but from pure mortification. She looked pale, as if she might faint. It was time for Selina to do something. Anything. Her father was still squinting at the piece of paper, as if he truly meant to read all that he had scribbled on it.

Selina glided smoothly to the center of the room. She felt eyes on her as people fell into a hush, just watching her. With one graceful motion, she caught his elbow. There was no more time for finesse after that. Her father needed to be retired to his room… at once!

“Apologies to everyone,” she said in a loud, clear voice, giving everyone a smile that looked untroubled. At ease. “My dear papa has had a bit too much sun today and is not quite himself. He will now retire to his rooms. I hope everyone enjoys this gathering that my dear mother-in-law has arranged for everyone.”

“I am all right, Selina. I have never felt more clear-headed in my life! There is more to the poem that I have written. Perhaps it needs a little correction here and there, but it expresses precisely what I feel,” Harleigh protested. “Here, listen, everyone… There is more!”

“Apologies once more,” Selina interrupted as she led her father to the door. “I promise that this will not happen again. Papa, come with me at once!”