Selena gaped at him. After that kiss, he still withdrew? Why did he deny their attraction? Her chest seized. Perhaps he assumed, like she had, that lasting love would be instantaneous.
She forced herself to follow the duchess inside and accept Mr. Gernand's arm with a smile. As she danced with him then many others during the rest of the ball, Aragon again watched her, but he remained across the ballroom. He definitely didn't want to court her.
Tears heated her eyes as she prepared for bed. Despite preferring Aragon, she must forget him and turn her attention to others who appeared interested. She'd never permanently escape Uncle Adan's schemes without a husband. She sighed. Both Lord Ravenstone and Mr. Gernand had danced with her twice, and each had proposed outings in the next week. She must give their courtships a fair due.
* * *
Over the next few days, Selena endured garden parties, tea receptions, card parties, and more balls. The duchess escorted her to multiple events each day, and Aragon always accompanied them but watched from afar. If only he would pursue her.
During the countless court events, all her new acquaintances blurred into a welter of recognizable faces, but she met too many people to make close friends. Each night, she collapsed into her bed and sank into slumber. She almost wanted to wed someone to escape the duchess's intense social rounds.
So when Lord Ravenstone arrived to take her riding, she closed her sketch journal with a smile. At last, a quiet event with no introductions. And she'd further her courtship with the count.
Lord Ravenstone bowed to the duchess then Selena before nodding at Aragon beside Selena. "Afternoon, everyone." He grinned at Selena. "Are you ready?"
Selena leapt from the sofa. She'd not ridden since Aragon had taken her last week. And she couldn't wait to ride the sweet mare he'd loaned her. If only his kindness was more than charity. "Very much so."
When Aragon set aside his book and rose, the duchess eyed him over her goldwork embroidery. "Lord Ravenstone can escort Selena alone, except for a groom, of course."
Aragon opened his mouth then paused and returned to the sofa. "Very well, Mother." He slashed the count a narrow glance. "Where do you plan to take Selena?"
Selena sighed as Lord Ravenstone took her arm. Doubtless Aragon's interest was only because Uncle Adan knew her whereabouts now. Too bad it wasn't because he wanted to ride with her himself.
Lord Ravenstone smiled at Aragon. "I thought the royal bay and back."
Aragon nodded. "If you don't return an hour before dinner, I'll ride after you."
Selena blushed as the count's brows flew skyward. Lord Ravenstone must assume Aragon was jealous, but he wasn't. If he wanted her, he wouldn't have apologized for kissing her on the balcony. He would have kissed her again instead.
Instead of replying, Lord Ravenstone merely returned Aragon's nod and swept Selena from the room. Once they were riding down the street with a groom trailing them, he glanced at her. "Lord Treyvan seems protective of you."
She blushed harder but shrugged. If only Aragon was protective because he wanted her. "The Hawkes are shielding me from my uncle, so Aragon worries he'll attempt something." Until she knew the count better, she'd not reveal Uncle Adan's involvement with a black witch.
Lord Ravenstone's amber eyes narrowed, darting to the gold gargoyle nestled between her breasts. "I suppose that explains your powerful protection charm."
She blinked and fingered the protection charm. He'd noticed 'twas enchanted? No one else had. Was he a witch or just more perceptive since he was from Wildewall? No doubt he often saw magic there.
Before she could ask, Lord Ravenstone smiled at her. "Have you ever visited the royal bay?"
Selena sighed. She didn't know Lord Ravenstone well enough to ask about magic when he was clearly diverting the conversation. So instead, she replied, "No, I've not seen much outside of the city walls since I moved to Ormas." And she probably wouldn't while the duchess managed her social rounds. She suppressed a grimace.
Lord Ravenstone grinned as they threaded through the crowded streets. "Then, as a lover of nature, you'll enjoy today. The king's private bay is just north of Ormas and quite picturesque."
She tilted her head with a frown. Although King Devon was Aragon's best friend, she and the count couldn't trespass on the king's private lands. But surely Aragon would have objected if 'twas forbidden. "Private?"
Lord Ravenstone nodded. "The royal bay and the royal forest both require permission from King Devon. But they're the closest natural areas, so I wrote him after your presentation ball."
A pang darted through Selena. She'd loved riding in the royal forest with Aragon. She'd believed he wanted her then. She sighed and forced herself back to today's ride. "Why the bay rather than the forest?"
Lord Ravenstone urged his stallion to a trot after they rode through the northern gate. "The bay is half an hour closer, and the king prefers the royal forest."
Matching his pace, her chest lightened as she inhaled the balmy spring air. A refreshing ride was the perfect escape from intense social rounds, a disreputable uncle, and Aragon's lack of interest. "Thanks for arranging this."
Lord Ravenstone chuckled. "'Twas nothing. When I reside in Ormas, I request permission to ride on the royal lands at least twice a month. The scenery is tame compared to Wildewall's mountains but better than nothing."
Selena eyed the rugged count. He was grinning like a relaxed tygris in the sun. Native to the Tsarkan Empire south of Calatini, the massive feline ruled torrid grasslands and was rumored to bask in the blazing sun for hours. The moving paintings of them at The Arte of Spells had been stunning. She'd adored seeing them with Aragon. Forcing her mind back to the count, she smiled and shook her head. "You sound like you despise Ormas."
Lord Ravenstone shrugged. "No, although I don't enjoy it much. I come to the season every year, but I've yet to last the entire six months. When I can no longer stand town life, I return to Wildewall."
She pursed her lips. "Why do you come at all?" He'd be happier back home.
Lord Ravenstone flashed a wry smile. "Because I need a wife. And no one back home appeals."
Her chest warming, Selena echoed his wry smile. She knew all about that. "Once you marry, I assume you'll return to Wildewall and rarely return to Ormas."
"Most likely." Lord Ravenstone stilled his stallion at the edge of a cliff. "We're here."
She halted her mare beside his and gaped at the large bay. Goddess, she'd never seen anything like it! The cerulean ocean stretched out to the horizon, and frothy waves crashed against the golden sand at the foot of verdant cliffs. Gulls swooped in the angel-blue sky, but she, the count, and the groom were the only humans. She breathed, "I should have brought my sketch journal."
Lord Ravenstone smiled at her. "We must return then." He waved toward a narrow path. "Do you want to ride down to the beach? We must go one at a time."
Selena beamed. "Yes, please." So they rode down the winding path and spent a delightful hour riding on the beach. On the return ride to Ormas, she said, "Thank you for bringing me to the royal bay, Lord Ravenstone." His kindness almost equaled Aragon's.
Lord Ravenstone grinned. "I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I recall when my father brought me here for the first time." His grin dimmed. "My father died just before last season."
Her throat tightened. "So did mine. My mother too." She rubbed her throat. "A virulent strain of wraith flu killed half my village."
Lord Ravenstone shuddered and urged his stallion to a trot. "How horrid. My father died in a hunting accident, but my mother is still living."
Selena blinked. "I don't think I've met her." Why hadn't she? The duchess had introduced her to everyone in Ormas. Was something wrong with Lady Ravenstone, or was she not interested in meeting Selena? If so, that didn't bode well for her son's courtship.
Lord Ravenstone shrugged. "She rarely leaves Wildewall. We've paired communication mirrors so we can talk during the season. Much easier than letters."
Selena inclined her head. So nothing was wrong with Lady Ravenstone except disliking Ormas as much as her son. But when would Selena meet her to see if they could get along? Gripping her reins, she shoved that aside and asked the count about his home.
She and Lord Ravenstone continued talking the rest of the ride, and she agreed to ride with him again next week. She managed a smile as he helped her dismount. He didn't enthrall her like Aragon, but she and the count had similar preferences, and she might learn to love him.
Chapter 20
Having spent the afternoon pacing and picturing Lord Ravenstone kissing Selena, Aragon burst from his chambers as soon as she returned. He stiffened at her glowing smile. "How was your ride?"
Her hand on her doorknob, Selena dimpled at him. "Glorious! I've never seen the sea before. I wish I'd brought my sketch journal."
His ribs squeezed. He'd missed her joy at seeing the sea for the first time. He should have taken her to the royal bay when they went riding last week. Damn Lord Ravenstone for stealing that from him.
And had her joy inspired the count to tumble Selena from her saddle and devour her lips? Heat surged through Aragon. He wouldn't have been able to resist. Not again, especially after their kiss at her presentation ball. He slitted his eyes. "Did Ravenstone attempt anything?"
Selena frowned and tilted her head. "What could he have attempted? We were on separate horses the entire time."
His jaw tightened. She was so innocent. A clear sign of her inexperience. "A gentleman with lechery in mind can manage a great deal when assisting a lady from her horse."
Selena's lips parted in a ragged breath. "I see. I must remember that the next time I go riding with a gentleman."
Burning to capture her parted lips, he glared at her. Goddess, must she be so tempting? She was as impossible to resist as a siren's song. "Yes, do that."
Selena smoothed her hair. "I must change for dinner. Excuse me."
As she slipped inside her chambers, Aragon shuddered with hunger. He should follow her and demonstrate how creative a lustful gentleman could be. But seducing her would be exploiting her inexperience, and 'twould be wrong to steal her choice of husband. He gulped a breath then retreated to his chambers and yanked on his evening clothes.
He'd just finished tying his cravat when someone knocked on his door. He opened it and gaped—Selena was waiting with a bright smile. Hadn't his ill-temper flustered her?
Selena tilted her head then threaded her arm through his. "Ready for dinner?"
His jealousy softening, Aragon nodded and squeezed her arm. "I'm hungry as a manticore." Perhaps that could excuse his earlier behavior.
Selena tsked as they strolled downstairs. "Try not to gorge at dinner. Else you'll have difficulty dancing tonight at Lady Staghorn's ball."
Aragon tensed, his skin tightening. Winston was sure to attend his great-aunt's ball, but Selena should avoid the cad. Even though she'd no dowry to tempt the future baron, he still might attempt to seduce her as a lark. So during dinner, he asked, "Must we attend Lady Staghorn's ball?"
Mother shrugged as she cut her stuffed capon. "Her ball was the best court event tonight."
He grimaced and sipped his wine. Remaining home would be preferable, but Mother would never permit Selena to do so during her debut season. And he'd not allow Selena to attend alone.
Mother narrowed her eyes at Aragon. "The Winstons shall doubtless be there, and I expect you to dance with Miss Winston at least once tonight." She turned to Hawke. "You too."
Hawke flashed a crooked grin. "Unfortunately, I'm attending a wyvern fight instead." Although owning wyverns hadn't been fashionable at court since the previous century, wilder gentlemen still patronized wyvern fights held in poorer neighborhoods. Yet Hawke never attended blood sports, so he must be desperate to avoid Lady Staghorn's ball.
Aragon's jaw tightened even though he also avoided blood sports. As the heir, he hadn't the freedom to disregard Mother's plans like Hawke did. Not that he'd abandon Selena.
"Lucky lad," Father drawled, his tone revealing he'd also prefer to join his youngest son rather than attend Lady Staghorn's ball.
Mother shook her head as she buttered a roll. "Very well, you scamp. You do recall we're having dinner at the Gernands' in a few days? Since they're family, I expect you to attend."
Hawke chuckled. "Of course, Mother."
After dinner, everyone except Hawke headed to Staghorn House. As soon as they arrived, Mother glanced at Aragon then nodded at Miss Winston.
He sighed but asked Miss Winston for her first dance. Mother would harp until he did. Soon the music began, and he led Miss Winston onto the floor. As at Selena's presentation ball, he endeavored to keep his attention on Miss Winston during their dance.
Yet he was distracted by Selena dancing with the Duke of Oakmoor. His chest clenched. Why had Mother allowed Selena to dance with him? Although a wealthy councilor, the unwed duke was also twenty years Selena's senior and a worse rakehell than Hawke.
During the first dance, Aragon managed polite conversation with Miss Winston while eyeing Selena and the rakish duke. Although the duke flirted the entire dance, she deflected him with tepid smiles. Nothing like the one she'd given Aragon before dinner. His pulse quickened. Although still inexperienced with lechery, perhaps she'd now met enough gentlemen to know whom she preferred. If so, he could begin courting her. At last.
So once the dance ended, Aragon fetched Miss Winston sparkling wine then strode over to Selena. "Is your next dance free?"
Selena dimpled at Lord Ravenstone to her right. "Lord Ravenstone has already spoken for my next dance." She turned her smile to Edouard on her left. "And Mr. Gernand has requested the following one. But I'm free after that."
Aragon's heart stuttered. Naturally, she already had partners. And her smiles for them were brighter than the one she'd given him earlier. She knew whom she preferred, and 'twasn't him. He forced a nod. "Then I'll take the dance after Edouard's." Unable to remain while suitors flanked her, he marched across the ballroom to Mother.
Mother arched her brows at him. "Who's Selena dancing with next?"
He kept his expression bland despite his burning stomach. "Lord Ravenstone." Damn the count for stealing that from him too.
Mother grinned like a puckish pixie, clearly pleased with her successful matchmaking. "Excellent." She chuckled. "You'd better find Lady Annalise and dance with her. We can't have the Greysnowes believing we favor the Ravenstones."
Aragon sighed but nodded. He might as well since he couldn't dance with Selena. His hands fisted behind his back, he approached Lady Annalise. "Could I request a dance?"
Lady Annalise inclined her white-blonde head with a cool smile. "The Duke of Oakmoor has bespoken my next dance, but the following one is free."
Not bothering to hunt for another lady, Aragon waited by the refreshments table during the next dance. He sipped a flute of sparkling wine, his ribs tight as he pretended not to watch Selena dance with Lord Ravenstone.
After that dance, Aragon partnered Lady Annalise but barely spoke because he kept eyeing Selena with Edouard. Yet the icy beauty, dubbed Lady Snow by some at court, continued murmuring idle pleasantries. No wonder Devon had risked inflaming the Greysnowe-Ravenstone feud to begin escorting her last season—her steadfast serenity would be invaluable when state affairs intruded.
Aragon ended his dance with Lady Annalise beside Selena. As their former partners glided to the refreshments table, he turned to Selena and gritted a wry smile. "You're most popular tonight."
Selena shrugged, smoothing her periwinkle skirts. "All your mother's doing, I assure you. I swear, she'd be the most effective general ever promoted if she put her hand to it."
Warmth flooding his chest, he shook his head. Mother wasn't why Lord Ravenstone and Edouard pursued Selena. Her wholesome beauty and cordial charm no doubt spellbound them too. Yet he couldn't explain that without sounding ardent, and she was no longer interested.
As the music began again, A
ragon drew Selena into his arms. Heat flared in his veins as they glided about the ballroom. If only he could hold her closer without titillating court. Although if she was still interested, he'd have ignored court to dance closer. But his hunger cooled when they passed Winston and Lady Annalise. "Has Winston requested a dance yet?"
Selena grinned. "No, thank the Goddess. He lost interest as soon as he learned I've no dowry."
He drew her slightly closer and examined her face with a frown. "You sound too gleeful. Did he take liberties?" The cad.
Selena shrugged. "No, but his eyes held a predatory gleam. If he had found me in a brothel, he would have happily taken me."
Aragon almost snorted. Again, she showed her inexperience with lechery. "So would many of your other dance partners. Like your first tonight—the Duke of Oakmoor patronizes brothels when he's between mistresses. He's not particular either."
Selena pursed her lips. "No, you misunderstand. Mr. Winston possesses an edge of cruelty the duke doesn't. I could see him as a buyer the black witch would contact—if he'd any money."
Aragon slashed Winston a narrow glance and drew her closer. "So could I."
A faint smile curved Selena's lips. "Now, the Duke of Oakmoor is assuredly a rakehell, but he's suave about it." Despite her disinterest earlier, she sounded almost admiring.
His stomach hardening, Aragon twirled her in a complicated turn. 'Twould give her something to consider other than the duke. When she blanched and gasped midway through the turn, he tensed and ceased twirling her. He must have alarmed her. "My apologies."
Her dark-gray eyes shaded, Selena blinked at him. "What?"
His throat clenched. Goddess, he was a churl. "For twirling you without warning."
Selena swallowed. "No, 'twas fine. But I saw my uncle."
Fire flashed through Aragon. "What? Where?!"
Selena nodded toward the back. "Over by the musicians." She grimaced. "He's clearly plotting another scheme. If only I knew what."
He followed her nod with a scowl. Midor lurked beneath the musicians' balcony, his gaze trailing them as they danced. After a moment, Midor smirked and saluted them with his flute of sparkling wine.
The Spellbinding Courtship: Calatini Tales Book 0.5 Page 12