When they arrived at the residence, she wasn’t at all surprised when Aiden leaped out of the vehicle and then reached back to hand her down. Nor was she surprised when he escorted her up the steps to the massive arched doorway. He took the key she’d removed from her reticule and used it to unlock the door, shoving it open slightly before handing the brass back to her. She considered inviting him in, but how would she explain his presence to her sisters should they come upon them or her brother if he wasn’t at his residence but was instead lurking about in hers?

So instead she merely turned to him. “Thank you for accompanying me tonight. Have my driver take you back to the club.”

“I could do with a walk.”

“It’s a good distance away.”

“I’ll run across a hansom somewhere. Don’t worry yourself over it. Will you come to the club tomorrow?”

She was grateful for the darkness that prevented him from seeing the blush she was fairly certain was creeping over her cheeks, if their sudden warmth were any indication of what was transpiring. “My mood will be much improved.”

“I’ll improve it even more. I had something special planned for this evening, but it’ll keep.” He tucked his forefinger beneath her chin, stroked his thumb over her lips. “Until tomorrow.”

Before she could respond, he was striding away. She’d been certain he was going to kiss her, had wanted him to. How was it that he always left her yearning for more even as he somehow managed to leave her satisfied?

Chapter 11

“. . . the property in Hertfordshire has been designated as your dower residence and as such will be placed in your name and become your property, although it may not be sold or passed on to another until your death. The exception, naturally, is that should you marry, it would go to your husband. In addition, your late husband created a trust for you that is to be overseen by Lord Kittridge. The yield in interest will be two thousand pounds per annum.”

Dazed by Lushing’s generosity, Selena stared at Mr. Beckwith, Lushing’s solicitor, as he sat incredibly still behind the duke’s desk in the library, having just read what he understood to be the most crucial part of her late husband’s will. He was no doubt waiting for a burst of grateful tears from her or—

“Why Kittridge and not me?” her brother blurted petulantly. “Why must he oversee this trust?”