Page 22 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

Serena halted the horse in front of the stables at Hoxton House, her heart aching for what might have been. Hoxton hopped from his horse, his boots kicking up dust. She was glad the stableboy and groom were present so that she was spared time alone with him.

Can you think of any reason why I shouldn’t propose to Lady Roxanne?

The words continued to echo inside Serena’s head, and she wanted to list everything that came to mind.

However, she wasn’t sure the question was directed at her personally, or if he simply wanted to know whether Roxanne had reservations.

Regardless, it was a moot point. The audience request with the viscount had put the plan in motion, and short of Roxanne turning down his proposal, the marriage would come to pass.

Tension had stretched out between them since she began her mad dash. The abrupt way she’d cut their conversation short was rude, but she’d been unable to stop the tears, and the last thing she wanted was for him to see her cry.

Hoxton moved to her side, his cheeks ruddy from the ride. The cut of Serena’s dress made it difficult for her to dismount on her own, thus she had no other option than to accept his help. His large hands settling on her waist, their gazes locked.

Her pulse hummed at his touch, and she found it hard to catch her breath.

He lowered her to the ground, her body brushing his harder one.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she took a small step back when she really wanted to lean in to him and beg him to marry her and not Roxanne. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.” Hoxton crooked his arm, and she had no other choice but to accept his escort or risk insulting him.

Once he married Roxanne, he would be her employer. Unless she found another post. “Daisy’s horse has a very smooth gait.”

“She can be a bit high-strung, but you handled the mare well.” He led her down the gravel path to the house, their footsteps crunching in unison. Keeping her composure was an uphill battle she was destined to lose.

“Thank you.” The mundane conversation required all of her considerable willpower.

Decorum said to walk at a reasonable pace when she wanted to race to her room and cry out her sorrow.

His kiss still reverberated throughout her body, and the second he’d confessed his intentions to propose to Roxanne, she could hardly stomach hearing any more.

But that question stopped her in her proverbial tracks.

Can you think of any reason why I shouldn’t marry Lady Roxanne?

Entering the cool interior of the house, she removed her bonnet and military style coat.

He’d also followed up the question by inferring that Roxanne might say yes to someone else, which explained the true meaning of his words.

Her throat tightened with tears. She couldn’t cry in front of him.

How many times had she told herself to stop fantasizing about a match with Hoxton?

Men of his circumstance didn’t marry women like her.

She handed her outerwear to another servant, unable to remain in his proximity.

After thanking the maid, she strode toward the staircase.

Much to her dismay, he followed her lead.

They climbed in silence, the echo of their feet pounding in her ears.

Their former camaraderie had disappeared, and she wasn’t sure whether they’d ever get it back again.

Too much had happened for her to ignore the reality of her situation.

Temples throbbing, she wanted to be alone to think, and she couldn’t do so with him beside her.

Once on the landing, he turned to her. Solemn hazel eyes met hers.

“Please tell Lady Roxanne that I wish her a speedy recovery,” he said.

“I will do so forthwith.” His closeness was bittersweet, and she forced herself to walk to Roxanne’s room at a normal pace, not run as quickly as she could.

There was no erasing what had happened, and it was more imperative than ever that she find another position.

Under no circumstances could she live beneath the same roof with him and not want to be with him.

She opened the door and faltered in her steps before catching herself. The countess perched on the settee in a yellow dress, her hard blue eyes boring into Serena.

“Is Roxanne well?” Praying for every bit of patience she could muster, Serena spoke in a careful tone, not wishing to talk to the woman right now. Her emotions too raw, she couldn’t be responsible for any sharp comments she might make in retaliation. “She left early from the outing.”

“What did I tell you?” Lady Agatha bit out of pinched lips, her nostrils flaring.

“Beg pardon, but can you be more specific?” Serena was in no mood to play her aunt’s manipulative game. She’d learned in the past to simply plead ignorance until accused outright of whatever transgression she supposedly committed.

Eyes narrowed, Lady Agatha tapped a long nail against the wooden armrest. She was proud of her manicured hands and often flaunted them in her displeasure, which happened with growing frequency.

“Do not get cheeky with me, girl. I warned you about Hoxton, and then I discover that you snuck away with him.”

“I did not!” The words rushed from her throat, sharper than she intended. She pressed her lips together to hold herself in check. Finding another position would take time, and she must bite her tongue until she could find gainful employment with another family.

“Liar. You and he were in the cellar alone for some time. Do you deny it?” Lady Agatha’s chest rose with increasing speed, her breasts pushing against the restraints of her corset. The too-small gown pulled at the seams.

The drumbeat in her temples increased, black dots marring her vision.

Her heart was beating so fast that she heard it whooshing in her ears.

If she didn’t lie down, she was afraid she might faint.

“While we all toured the cellar, Hoxton and I were locked in. If it wasn’t for his groom, who knows how long we would have been trapped.

You can ask anyone in our party if you don’t believe me. ”

“That isn’t the way I heard it.” The countess continued to glare down her nose at Serena.

Her plump cheeks were bright with color, and a bead of sweat dotted her brow.

“My imbecilic daughter admitted that she left the cellar because she was afraid, and you were still down there with him , even after she told you she wanted to leave.”

“It wasn’t Roxanne’s fault.” Dread continued to twist her stomach. She had to protect herself and her cousin from the unfair prosecution. “I was leaving when Blackstone shut the door behind him, locking us in. If anyone is suspect, it is he.”

“How dare you speak of your betters like that?” Lady Agatha slapped her hand down, a dot of white spittle forming at her mouth. “Blackstone is a peer of the realm, and his word is ironclad.”

“He is pursuing Roxanne, and Hoxton is the only man standing between them.” So it was Blackstone who told her. Serena’s dislike of the man grew. “Hoxton told me that he sent a letter to Uncle to gain his permission to wed Roxanne.”

“Hearing that, you thought you could trick him into marrying you.” A mocking laugh spilled from her aunt’s lips. She regarded Serena with a spiteful stare. Disgust oozed from her, even more than normal. “I took you in, and you betrayed Roxanne and the house of Clarkingham by entrapping Hoxton.”

“I didn’t entrap him. We were simply locked in a cellar for a very short period of time. He still intends to marry Roxanne.” It pained Serena to say it, but it was a fact.

“Then your manipulations were for naught.” The words dripped with malice and satisfaction lit her smile. “Of course he wishes to marry my beautiful Roxanne. Did you truly think he’d choose you over her? I am shocked that he can even stand the sight of you.”

Each word cut sharp, and she longed to escape. “I have no designs on Hoxton.”

“You are a very poor liar, just like your mother, who showed no compunction in choosing to marry a common cit.” Her voice as chilly as ice, the countess pointed one finger at Serena.

“Bad blood runs in your veins. You will return to your room, and you will not show your face for the remainder of the stay. Once we get back to Clarkingham Manor, you will pack your bags and leave immediately.”

Serena stared at her, stunned by the pronouncement. Without a position, she had nowhere to go and no money to speak of. “I didn’t do anything, and even if I did, nobody would care. I am simply a companion, a woman of no consequence. There isn’t a scandal.”

“There you are wrong. You are a disgrace. Go to your room before I put you out this very eve.” The countess jutted her jaw out, determination in her harsh stare.

If she made Serena leave, it would reflect badly on her, thus the reason she was delaying the inevitable: to save face.

“Why are you doing this to me? I have done nothing but help my cousin thrive. It is unfair to accuse me of poor morality and malign my character.” Serena clenched her fists, her anger coming to the fore, along with hurt.

She’d done nothing to her aunt, and yet she hated Serena.

“You have been a burden around my neck for ten years. I let you stay with us out of the goodness of my heart and even offered to give your brother employment, and look how you repay me.” The woman wasn’t to be moved.

Despair cut into Serena’s core, and she struggled to concentrate through her mounting panic. “Please do not blame Brandon for my misstep. He has proven himself worthy of the position and is at the top of his class.”

“Then you admit you planned this all along?”

“No, it wasn’t planned. Nothing happened, I swear on my mother’s grave.” Desperation made her voice raw. As the chilliness further darkened her aunt’s brow, Serena realized her mistake.

“Like your mother, you never think about others, do you?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to argue on her own behalf, but she bit back the response. Experience had taught her it was useless. Although her aunt hated Serena, she often fawned over Brandon. “Brandon is innocent in all of this. Please do not punish him for my mishap.”

“You should have thought about that before you tried to seduce Hoxton from under your cousin’s nose.” Lady Agatha pointed at the door. “You have always been a foolish girl, and now you have shamed your family with your sorry looks and your wicked manners.”

“Blame me all you wish, but Brandon shouldn’t be punished for my mistakes.” Each insult cut like a knife, but she could withstand the storm. She must protect her brother, no matter the consequences to herself.

“You speak as if you have any sway in my decisions. Once again, you go too far.” Sneering, she wagged the finger that was still lifted toward the door. “Get out of here. I am sick of looking at you.”

Her knees weak, Serena hurried out the door, tears blinding her.

She had ruined Brandon’s chances at the position he’d been coveting most of his life.

A sob choked her, and she pressed her hand to her mouth.

She must find Roxanne and beg her to ask her father to help Brandon.

Brandon meant the world to her, and she’d inadvertently destroyed his future and her own.