Page 13 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

Serena climbed the stairs behind Roxanne, both looking worse for wear from the adverse weather.

Although she was chilled, a warm glow continued to spread inside her core.

Was it her imagination, or had Hoxton truly attempted to kiss her?

An unsolicited giggle of giddiness rushed to her lips before she suppressed it.

A giggle? Serena never giggled. With a self-deprecating smile, she shook her head.

If Roxanne hadn’t shown up, she might have had her answer.

She moved her hand to her mouth before giving herself a mental chastisement.

Hoxton was wrapping Brutus in the coat and had been forced to step nearer to her out of necessity.

Except, the fevered gleam in his gaze and the way he lowered his head told her differently.

Stop! She shouldn’t even think such thoughts about him. He was soon to be Roxanne’s husband.

“My poor sweet boy stuck out in the thunderstorm,” Roxanne said to the dog still cradled in the overly large greatcoat.

The fact that Roxanne had returned made Serena suspicious as to why.

Not that Roxanne didn’t love the dog, but she had a genuine fear of the weather.

The only thing that would have sent her back outside was her mother.

Serena shuddered, but not from the cold.

She didn’t fancy meeting up with the countess anytime soon.

No doubt, Aunt would be annoyed not only with Roxanne but also with Serena.

Resentment bubbled inside her, a constant companion since she’d come to live with her aunt and uncle.

Hoxton’s servant opened the door to Roxanne’s room for them, and Roxanne entered first, her entire frame stiffening. Dread settled into the pit of Serena’s stomach. She didn’t need to see the countess to know she was waiting for them.

“Mama, I found Brutus,” Roxanne said, moving from the doorway to the chair that held Brutus’s blanket. The little dog continued to shiver in the greatcoat, and Serena’s heart went out to him and to his mistress.

Lady Agatha stood by the window, draped in a blue morning dress. The ample cleavage of her robust frame pushed against the edge of her bodice. Roxanne looked like her mother, who was still beautiful, but unlike her daughter, malice rested in her heart.

Her blond curls waterfalled around her face, and sharp blue eyes bore into Serena. “Roxanne, take that smelly creature away, I wish to speak with Serena alone.”

“Yes, Mama.” Roxanne looked from her mother to Serena, a light of dread in her eyes.

Serena’s earlier suspicions jumped to the forefront.

No doubt she would get an earful for allowing Roxanne to leave Hoxton.

Yet Serena had rather enjoyed the few minutes she’d had alone with him, despite the weather.

With an encouraging smile to her charge that she didn’t truly feel, she waited for Roxanne to leave the room.

The chill from her wet clothing settled into her bones, and she stood in the middle of the room, waiting for the inevitable berating. The countess stared hard at her, her back ramrod straight. “I saw you.”

“Beg pardon?” Experience had taught Serena not to volunteer any information.

Her aunt had a way of ferreting out weakness, and she’d learned to hide her emotional vulnerability.

Yet there was nothing short of covering her face that could hide her outer appearance, a favorite target of Lady Agatha’s.

Serena fought to maintain a calm demeanor.

It wasn’t conducive to her self-preservation to show any fear.

She’d learned a long time ago to simply listen to her aunt’s tirade and say nothing that might incriminate her or Roxanne.

Lady Agatha tapped a bejeweled finger against the window, her eyes narrowed. She was in an obvious snit, malice reflected in her gaze. “I saw you and Hoxton in the garden not a quarter of an hour ago.”

“We were looking for Brutus.” The dread increased. Surely she hadn’t seen the near kiss? If that was even what it was. Since it hadn’t come to pass, it was a moot point. Whatever Aunt thought she saw, she was mistaken.

“I am sure that is what you want me to believe.” Lady Agatha looked down her nose at Serena, a practiced move she’d seen the woman do to intimidate others.

She used her station and title to her advantage and never backed down, even when proven wrong.

“I can see where someone of your station would wish to elevate yourself.”

Resentment over the unfair accusation warred with her more practical self.

She said nothing in her defense, choosing to stick to the facts and not dwell on how handsome he was or how appealing his strong jaw and masculine frame were.

“Hoxton was merely trying to help Roxanne by retrieving the dog. I assure you, he has no designs on me.”

“ His designs are not what I am concerned with.” The countess moved from her position and approached Serena. By the bullish jut of her chin, she was gearing herself up for a lecture. “I took you in after your father died and Miranda was sick, never forget that.”

“I am grateful for your kindness and the opportunity to act as a companion for my beloved cousin.” It took everything inside Serena to utter the false words.

Kindness was not a word she associated with her aunt.

The eldest daughter of the late earl, Lady Agatha had been jealous of her younger half sister, Miranda—Serena’s mother.

According to Agatha, Miranda was a brat who had been spoiled by their father.

Her mother told a different tale. Agatha had always been the jealous type and hadn’t been happy when her sister was born.

That jealousy prevented the two from forming a bond and led to Agatha’s bitter resentment.

“My kindness will only go so far.” The biting words cut right into Serena.

“I will not have you embarrassing me or my daughter by carrying on a flirtation with a man well above your station,” Lady Agatha said.

Above my station? Outrage screamed inside her head.

“Lest you forget, my grandfather was an earl.” The moment the words left her lips, she regretted the outburst. Giving herself a mental kick, she took a fortifying breath.

Whatever had gotten into her? She had no chance with a man like Hoxton, yet hope still burned in the back of her mind.

Nostrils flaring, and contempt in the tilt of her lips, Lada Agatha shot daggers at Serena. Her icy blue eyes narrowed. “ My father might have been an earl, but you are a paid companion. For now .”

Serena tried to still her racing heart, a bead of moisture trickling down her back that had nothing to do with her rain-soaked dress.

If she lost her post, she would have nothing to fall back on.

She couldn’t lean on Brandon, nor could she risk her brother losing his position.

Unfortunately, no one else would hire her if the countess deemed her unsuitable.

“I assure you that I have no designs on Hoxton. He was simply doing a kindness for his future wife.”

“Hoxton is a gentleman, and while he is more decent than most, he is still a man. For a woman of your unfortunate looks and current status, being the recipient of a flirtation might be flattering. However, mark my words, you will get into trouble because men like him do not marry women like you.” Lady Agatha stared at her in the deafening silence that followed her insulting statement before finally turning around and going to the settee.

Anger and humiliation burned hot in Serena’s throat, and she wanted to respond in kind, but she kept her tongue.

She dared not move from her spot until she was dismissed, which she prayed would be soon.

Her thoughts in turmoil, she tried to keep from shivering.

While she’d been grateful to be taken in after her father’s death, neither she nor her mother had wished to live with her aunt.

Circumstances had made any other option impossible.

Her one consolation was that Brandon had a good home and an education.

“Why did you let Roxanne leave the garden?” Lady Agatha asked.

“She is afraid of thunderstorms.” Serena stared out the window, the sky still a heavy gray.

The thunder and lightning had stopped, and rain continued to hit the windowpanes.

Impressions of Hoxton and the odd look on his face after the booming thunder rocked the ground returned to her.

While she sensed something was wrong with him, she didn’t want to embarrass him by prying.

“Brutus bolted, and I told her I would fetch him.”

“So you could be alone with Hoxton?”

“I was with him by circumstance.” It had been an added boon but not an intentional one.

The unrelenting drilling was getting on her last nerve, and she wanted to escape to her room and change out of her wet clothes.

A small puddle had formed at her feet, and either the countess was oblivious to it or didn’t care. Serena was sure it was the latter.

The door creaked open, and Roxanne entered, her chin lifted. Fear rested in her eyes, along with determination. “Do not blame Serena for what happened. Hoxton insisted on fetching Brutus for me.”

“We will discuss your own unacceptable behavior in a moment,” the countess said, turning her icy stare to Roxanne, who wilted like a flower. “Serena, you are dismissed.”

Serena turned on her heel, torn between staying to defend Roxanne and leaving. Like her, Roxanne still wore her wet attire. Serena knew how hard it was for Roxanne to defy her mother, and she was grateful for her support. The battle between the two needed to be waged by Roxanne, not her.

“Before you go, Serena, remember that not only your future will be impacted by your behavior. As a man of the cloth, your brother must be above scandal.” Aunt’s spiteful words hung in the air, malice in each syllable.

The threat was clear as rain. Fury blazed through Serena, but she held her tongue. The threat wasn’t a new one, just a reminder of the countess’s power over the lives of others.

Even as Serena exited into the hallway, she didn’t feel good about leaving Roxanne, but nor could she jeopardize Brandon’s future.

“It is high time you get past that silly little fear of birds. If you don’t land the duke—”

The closing door cut off the rest of the countess’s tirade.

Serena clenched and unclenched her fists, outraged all over again at the woman’s bullying ways.

Her own dignity had been bruised, yet she’d live to see another day still employed by her cousin.

However, her future as Roxanne’s secretary was in jeopardy, and not because of the countess.

Any thoughts regarding Hoxton in a romantic manner needed to stop.

If not, she would have to reevaluate her plans.

With Roxanne, she knew what to expect, but there were other ladies in need of her services, and if she were smart, she would start looking for other employment.

Except the thought of leaving Roxanne and everything familiar frightened her. For now, she must help Roxanne land Hoxton. Despite what the future held, there would be no romantic entanglement with Hoxton, no matter how much she wished otherwise.