Page 34 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

While Hoxton wanted to respect his grandmother, she was behaving abominably. Anger continued to simmer beneath the surface of his forced calm. “I know you are upset about me not marrying Lady Roxanne, but do not take it out on Serena. She has been nothing but accommodating in all of this.”

“You married her over Lady Roxanne after you compromised her. What kind of woman allows a man to compromise her in such a manner? One who clearly is seeking to elevate herself.” His grandmother would not back down, her back ramrod straight.

He had always admired her, but also knew that she could and would be difficult at times.

“We did nothing wrong. We were locked in the cellar against our will. Serena could not have arranged it because she was in the back of the room with me while I was telling the history of the room. If anyone is to blame, it is Blackstone. He was the last person out of the room and has aspirations for Lady Roxanne’s hand. ”

“You wish for me to believe that this was an innocent mistake?” She fingered the handle of her cane, the gesture speaking of her continued upset.

“ She is the daughter of a tradesman, and you are a duke. Are you certain that she was not in league with Blackstone to perpetrate a fraud against you? If, as you say, Blackstone has aspirations for Lady Roxanne, it would behoove him to work with Lady Serena so that she could climb the social ladder.”

The wheels in Hoxton’s mind spun. Could that possibly have happened?

Could she be innocent in all of this, or was she part of the plan?

His mind screamed no. It isn’t in Serena’s nature to be deceptive like that.

It was she who’d said that she wanted nothing to come of their kiss.

Would a woman bent on social climbing make such a claim? “No, I don’t believe so.”

“You are new to the title, and had my dear Herbert not passed away,” her voice broke a bit, and she visibly swallowed. Nostrils flaring in a telling manner, she continued, “You wouldn’t be in this position.”

He stared at her for a long moment, the fury returning twofold. “You don’t trust my judgment?”

“You are young and you impulsively joined the army despite knowing of my displeasure. Why should I trust your judgment?” She stared at him, unapologetic.

His grandmother believed she was correct at all times and was so used to everyone agreeing with her that she often got her way.

She was not a mean sort, but willful. He’d done so in the past, but would no longer give in to her.

“You made your opinion clear on that matter. However, I am the duke now and there’s no getting around the fact that you must trust that I am doing my duty and doing it well.”

Her expression softened enough to give him hope that she was willing to listen to his side of the story.

“Thus far, you have shown yourself to be responsible to your current estates, and I had high hopes that you would find a wife with the breeding and pedigree to be by your side and represent the Hoxton name with honor.”

His temper flared, and he narrowed his eyes at her. “There is nothing wrong with Serena’s breeding. She is my wife, and you cannot change that.”

“If Blackstone, as you say, is the responsible party, have you spoken to him about it?”

He shifted on his feet, shaking his head. Arms crossed, he willed himself to remain calm. “No, I haven’t spoken to him. It happened so quickly, and I wanted to make things right with Serena. She is not at fault, no matter how much you or the countess accuse her of duplicity.”

“Do you fancy yourself in love with her?”

That was a difficult question to answer.

He couldn’t say with any certainty one way or the other.

They had much to work out together. “I am fond of her. If you would just take some time to get to know her, you will learn that she is a giving woman with a kind heart. She is also highly intelligent and poised.”

“She has a defect from birth. Will that pass on to your children?” She narrowed her eyes, staring inquisitively at him for a long moment.

He’d never considered that, nor did he think it a possibility. “She has a sibling who was not born with a cleft lip therefore I do not believe we need worry about it. It is not uncommon for people to be born with clefts, you know that.”

“I must admit, she doesn’t look as hideous as her aunt describes her.” The bit of softness was telling.

He clenched and unclenched his fist, anger returning to the forefront. “That woman is not welcome in my home, nor do I care what her opinion is now or ever. How you can be friends with her is beyond me.”

“Well, I am not friends with her. I was friends with her mother. When she requested my patronage for her daughter, I agreed because Lady Roxanne is quite delightful.”

“Lady Roxanne is delightful, and I anticipate we will continue a friendship throughout the years. She is also rather fond of her cousin Serena, and it was at her urging that I asked for Serena’s hand, not anyone else’s.”

His grandmother’s brows shot up, and she blinked several times. “Lady Roxanne pushed for this outcome?”

“She doesn’t seem the type, but I must say I admire her tenacity and her affection for Serena.

The countess is not a very pleasant woman, as you know, and her treatment of her daughter is beyond the pale.

It’s because of Lady Roxanne’s love for her cousin that she willingly gave up her own future happiness. ”

“I must say I am surprised to hear that. Lady Roxanne doesn’t seem to think much on her own.”

“We all assume that she is not very intelligent, but I assure you that in her own way, she is highly intuitive. Once she gets out from underneath her mother, I believe she will flower.” While he had been disappointed that Roxanne refused his offer, he wanted to see her do well in her future.

“That’s all water under the bridge. I married Serena, and she is now my wife. ”

“Given the circumstances, you may seek an annulment, and one will be granted. You need not stay married to her.” The duchess continued to watch him, and he wasn’t sure whether she wanted him to agree with her or was testing him.

“I will not shame Serena by seeking an annulment.” Everything inside of him rebelled at the thought.

He didn’t need to love her to admire her and want to be a part of her life.

She was aware of his history and didn’t judge him too harshly.

Although he wasn’t certain how she really perceived his weaknesses.

Deep down, she might consider him a weak and pathetic man.

“I will put one challenge to you before you make that decision. Seek out Blackstone and find out whether it was an accident or intentional. Then you’ll know your answer.” Her insistence reeked of desperation.

“I trust Serena more than I trust Blackstone.” For the first time, uneasiness overcame him. He could simply ask her outright. Yet he’d risk insulting her, which would further place a divide in their marriage.

“Then I will frame this differently. If you still want me to petition the queen, then you will speak to Blackstone.”

“You intend to blackmail me when there are thousands of men dependent upon this service? The fact that you use this as leverage against me is unconscionable.”

She deflated at his accusation before rallying. “I am sorry, you are right. I will drop the matter, but there is an easy solution to clear this up. Talk to Blackstone.”

“Even if he confirms your suspicions, it is a moot point. I am married to Serena, and that is the end of it.” Until his grandmother mentioned it, he’d never thought to question Serena.

However, the thought was now in his mind.

Living with uncertainty was his future until he could decide the best course of action, if there even was one.