Page 53 of A Duchess Untouched

Click.

Selina’s mind went on alert. She was pretty certain it was the library door that had just opened.

“Matthew,” she whispered harshly as her body went rigid.

Instead of pulling away from her, Matthew placed his warm palm over her mouth. His brown eyes held hers in the dim light, burning with a wicked glint. He had no plans to stop.

Footsteps echoed across the floor. Two sets of them. Selina’s eyes widened. They would be caught if the new arrivals walked past the fourth bookshelf. Her instinct told her to push Matthew and adjust her dress, perhaps even hide in a corner or under a table. But there was also that thrill of doing something that might be exposed to others. Matthew perhaps felt the same way because he continued to thrust inside her as she tried to keep any moans from escaping her throat. To Selina’s horror, the pleasure seemed to intensify at the threat of being caught.

“I must admit I found it questionable that I followed you here alone, Harleigh,” a woman’s voice said.

Antoinette?

Selina felt all the blood drain from her face.

What is she doing there with Papa?

Matthew’s hand clamped harder over Selina’s mouth, his movement pausing while he was still deep inside her.

“My dear Antoinette,” Harleigh replied. “I simply needed a mere moment alone with you. It was getting harder to whisper out there where anyone could hear.”

Of course. Her father just had to drag Antoinette to the library while Selina was being deliciously made love to. Her eyes met Matthew’s. He looked just as shocked as she did.

The two voices sounded quite friendly to each other. What had happened over the past few weeks? Had Selina and Matthew spent so much time in each other’s arms that they had missed some great development?

“Well, you are right. It is certainly quieter here,” the Dowager admitted, sounding far more genial than what Selina was used to. “I suppose I do owe you some time in private.”

“Oh, do you, then, my dear?” Harleigh asked.

“Yes, I do. I wish to apologize in person. I had been remarkably snobbish and mean to you at first, Harleigh. Now… I realize that you have already suffered enough with your financial status and past indiscretions.”

Selina’s eyes widened at the apology. She tried to step back from Matthew, and this time he released her immediately, holding her steady by the waist as she hurried to adjust her skirts. They both remained motionless behind the bookshelf, almost holding their breaths, afraid that even a small sound might expose them.

“You cannot be blamed for your reaction, Antoinette. I have brought embarrassment upon embarrassment to my family. Then my daughter became your son’s wife, and my humiliation became entwined with your family’s name. But I can be a better man for you if you let me. I have not felt this way about a woman in… I do not even remember how many years.”

Selina had to grip Matthew’s biceps to keep herself upright after that declaration.

“Oh, Harleigh,” the Dowager Duchess gasped. “Our relationship… or whatever this is? It will be the scandal of the century! The ton would lose its mind, or think we have lost ours!”

Harleigh chuckled, completely amused rather than horrified.

“Let them talk. Of all the scandals of my life, this one will be the most worthy,” he said. “I can assure you of that.”

“But what about our children? They will find this quite unappealing. Not to mention that Selina and Matthew are married. Would it not be in poor taste for us to…”

“Antoinette, our children are both adults with their own problems to deal with. I am sure they will be more than happy to have both of us out of their hair. Now, will you allow me one small kiss, my dove?”

It was followed by rustling that suggested an embrace. Then the Dowager Duchess giggled. She giggled! Worse, Harleigh did the same. It was as if the two had grown younger by several decades, and they heard them kiss.

I cannot believe this is happening!

Selina was completely mortified, yet she could do nothing. She could not simply call their names while she stood in Matthew’s arms.

“Come, my dove, let us take a stroll in the gardens. We have talked of scandals, but we may also still avoid a stain on our reputation by having a conversation in a more… public place,” Harleigh urged.

“Let us, then,” Antoinette agreed.

Footsteps followed, this time retreating. Then the latch clicked shut once more. The moment the door closed, Selina and Matthew looked at each other in shock.