Page 19 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)
Serena lagged behind the others as Hoxton took them down a path that ran along the outer wall of the old castle.
As a companion, she was supposed to be present to chaperone, but she wasn’t truly one of the party.
She lived an odd existence that was a step above the help but not equal to her charge, even though she and Roxanne shared the same ancestors.
“This castle was once home to over a hundred monks.” Hoxton turned to address the party, his gaze meeting hers for a brief moment before he continued, “There are actually some cellars where the monks kept manuscripts, and they had quite an extensive wine cellar. I keep meaning to ask my staff to fetch them, but alas, I have been neglectful.”
“Now that my man, is something I would like to see,” Blackstone said.
“They are down there.” Hoxton pointed to an indent near the far wall where a dark set of stairs could be seen.
The entire party followed him, Serena bringing up the rear. She loved ancient history and was fascinated by what she had seen thus far. It was more than apparent from Hoxton’s delivery that he also enjoyed the history he was sharing with them.
Hoxton went first and held out his hand to Lady Roxanne.
Stiller did the same for Daisy, and unfortunately, Serena was left with Blackstone.
He was solicitous, though, and thus far hadn’t treated her poorly.
Simply been indifferent to her, which wasn’t unusual.
Most people ignored her because of her birth defect or pretended she didn’t exist. She’d even overheard Lady Agatha once lament that her father and mother should have allowed Serena to die rather than let her live with such a hideous scar.
A cold chill drifted up from the ground as they descended the narrow stairs, passing several openings that exposed the moat and the river on the other side. Rather than claustrophobic, it simply felt like a natural progression from the courtyard into the deep recesses of the cellar.
“As you can see here, there are several cutouts for arrows because the castle was under attack multiple times.” Hoxton indicated the slits in the wall that afforded muted light.
It was at least a few degrees colder than it was up above, and Serena wrapped her arms around her chest. Blackstone was behind her, bringing up the rear. Once on the landing, there were oil lamps that the servants must have placed ahead of time.
“Watch your head, this dips down a little because the monks were much smaller people than we are. Of course, the ladies won’t have an issue,” Hoxton said.
“Indeed, I shall not have an issue either since I am a bit shorter than the two of you,” Stiller said good-naturedly.
In a perfect world, Lady Roxanne would be married to him. Not only was he a jovial gentleman, but he also treated her with tender care. His self-confidence allowed him to laugh at himself, which to Serena was far more attractive than Blackstone’s brooding. Perhaps she should pursue Stiller.
They rounded another set of stairs, and moisture dripped along the walls.
She silently laughed at the idea of having Stiller as a suitor.
He paid no more attention to her than Blackstone did.
Granted, he would be heartbroken once Roxanne married Hoxton, but there was no help for it.
Unless Roxanne came to her senses, she would marry Hoxton if he asked.
And there was no doubt in Serena’s mind that he would.
Once again, her stomach dropped at the notion, and she forced her attention to her surroundings.
On a hook outside the cellar was an oil lamp and tinder.
Hoxton lit the lamp, no doubt left there by his efficient staff in preparation for today’s outing.
He unlocked the wooden door with an ancient metal key and stepped aside to allow them to enter a high-ceilinged room with massive casks positioned on wooden platforms. “Most of these are empty, but there are a few that have some high-quality brandy in them. Tonight I will share some of my prized brandy with the gentlemen in celebration.”
In celebration of what? Serena wanted to know the answer to that rather broad hint.
“I am looking forward to it.” Blackstone looked around, his chin lifted to inspect the ceiling. If he was suspicious of Hoxton’s comment, he hid it well.
Stiller narrowed his eyes, his mouth turned down. Similar to Roxanne, the gentleman wore his heart on his sleeve. His transparency and good nature were appealing traits in any man.
Roxanne tilted her head back and looked around the room for a long moment, her brow furrowing. Serena had a suspicion that her charge was about to protest being below ground for this long. For all of her recent bravery, Roxanne was afraid of her own shadow.
Serena walked further inside, a bit more fascinated by her surroundings than her cousin.
While she didn’t drink brandy, nor had Hoxton offered brandy to the women present, she would like to try it.
There were many things she wanted to try, but her situation in life prevented her.
After returning to her room the previous night, she had composed letters to two of her mother’s friends, asking if they knew anyone who needed a companion.
She didn’t want to be a governess. From experience, she knew that a governess post was thankless, and after the children grew up, the person was often tossed aside.
“These are the oldest casks, and you can see cracks in the wood.” Hoxton positioned himself against the far wall where the first cask leaned against the brick.
The ceiling sloped, and the frame holding the cask created a small niche.
Like a moth to the flame, Serena followed until she stood within three feet of him.
The other members of the party—mostly Roxanne—remained in the main room.
Since everyone save Daisy was enamored with her cousin, she understood why the men stuck by Roxanne, each jockeying for the advantage. Daisy looked on in amusement.
“There appear to be some drawings on the wall.” Serena lifted her hand but didn’t touch them. While the others showed polite interest in the tour, the history truly fascinated her. Leaning in, she inspected the carved lines in more detail.
“These marks were made by the unschooled craftsmen who saw to the goods.” Hoxton leaned in at the same time, until their faces were mere inches apart. His lips moved like he was counting each one. If he was aware of their proximity, he didn’t let on.
“What about the ones near the ceiling?” Serena tried to concentrate as she inhaled the masculine scent of his soap with undertones of heat from his body. Enthralled by his full mouth and the cut of his firm jaw, the temptation to turn her head and kiss him was overpowering.
“Are there marks there?” He tilted his head, his shoulder bumping hers. “Where?”
“There.” Serena lifted her arm, struggling for control over her fast-beating heart. His impressive frame crowded her in the small niche between the wall and the first cask, and she longed to press against him but refrained.
“I believe I would like to go upstairs now,” Roxanne said.
Serena startled at the sudden pronouncement and rocked back on her heels, appalled by the boldness of her thoughts.
Had Roxanne noticed Serena’s preoccupation with her soon-to- be fiancé, or was she simply ready to leave?
She seemed distant since coming to the castle.
If Serena didn’t know better, she’d think that Roxanne was trying to hide something.
Throughout her cousin’s childhood, she’d been a poor liar, which allowed her mother to easily manipulate her.
“As am I, shall we go?” Daisy looped her arm through Blackstone’s, giving the gentleman little option but to agree to be her attendant. He narrowed his eyes at Stiller, who jumped at the opportunity to take Roxanne’s hand and tuck it into his arm.
Serena glanced back at Hoxton, standing on his toes to better see the markings she had pointed out.
If he minded Stiller’s infatuation with Roxanne, he never let on.
Roxanne and Hoxton weren’t making a love match, and to some gentlemen—and ladies—love had nothing to do with marriage.
Being a future duchess was more than most women dreamed of, and they would forgive many transgressions to gain the title.
Roxanne had been told she needed to marry a title, yet Serena was certain that if given the chance to make her own choice, she’d choose love over the title.
“I believe the rest of the party is ready to leave,” she told him.
“Are they indeed?” He frowned and lowered his heels to the ground. “I suppose we should leave as well, although I am most interested in exploring this more.”
She, too, was interested in discovering more, but the others were leaving, and it would be improper for her to remain behind with Hoxton. She trusted him, but she didn’t quite trust herself. “You may stay if you wish,” she said.
With a shake of his head, he stepped backward. Chin lifted, he frowned at Roxanne’s leave-taking. Stiller departed after her, followed by Daisy. Blackstone brought up the rear.
“No, no, I will come back later.” Hoxton indicated she should precede him. The narrow space opened up after they reentered the main part of the chamber, and he moved to her side. “I hope I didn’t bore you too much.”
“On the contrary, I find the history fascinating.” Serena watched the door slowly close behind Blackstone. The oak portal was adorned with a crisscrossed metal frame and was slightly warped. It stopped moving, which left a gap between the door frame and the door itself.
“I am most fascinated by those marks you found. I never noticed them before.” Hoxton reached for the oil lamp on a ledge near the door. “I don’t wish to leave this here in case of a fire,” he said.