Page 42 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)

Hoxton galloped next to Daisy in Hyde Park.

Throughout the previous evening, spent with his man of business, he could barely concentrate on the task at hand.

When Daisy suggested a ride in the park, he jumped at the chance to get some fresh air.

The situation at Hoxton House continued to occupy his mind.

After a long night of tossing and turning, he was no closer to squashing his own uncertainty.

No matter how hard he tried, he could still see Serena’s face and the tears running down her cheeks.

The music that had flowed from the music room haunted him more than anything else.

He stuck to the park’s less popular paths lined with tall hedges. Daisy’s mount kept pace with his mare, his mistress urging the gelding into an all-out run.

If music was the sound of the soul, then Serena’s had been breaking.

He encouraged the horse to run faster, but no matter how fast he ran, he couldn’t escape his own part in hurting her.

All that he needed to do was tell his grandmother that he had confidence in Serena, but he couldn’t even do that.

He was ashamed of himself and even more furious at those who doubted them.

Each pounding hoofbeat echoed his inner turmoil.

When his mount began to lag, he guiltily pulled up on the reins until his horse settled into a slow trot.

Daisy slowed her mount as well, the sides of the gelding heaving from its effort.

He patted the mare’s sweaty neck with his gloved hand to show his appreciation for her efforts.

“What an exhilarating ride,” Daisy said, her cheeks flushed from the exercise. A few strands of hair had fallen around her face, and her hat was slightly askew.

“Indeed, it was just the thing I needed after a very trying week.” Hoxton had a few more errands to complete before he planned on escorting her and the twins home.

A part of him considered staying in London for a few more days to give Serena some peace.

Except Mulligan’s words continued to play in his head.

Distance wouldn’t resolve their problems. Talking would.

“Yes, I understand from Imogene’s message that Grandmother is in residence and causing mayhem.

” Daisy used the back of her hand to brush at her forehead.

With her bold nose and fair hair, she resembled the portraits of his grandmother when Lady Diana was in her prime.

That wasn’t the only thing the two had in common, and they often butted heads.

His mare settled into a walk, a slight breeze blowing.

In the distance, carriages could be seen on the roadway.

The rows of London plane trees in the park gave the illusion of being in the country, but signs of people were everywhere.

Hoxton should have known his aunt would have informed Daisy in the note that she had asked him to deliver on her behalf to her stepdaughter.

The two of them were very close. “She told you about what happened between Grandmother and Serena.” He said it as a fact, not a question, for there was no doubt in his mind that Daisy was well informed.

“Yes, and I am appalled, of course, but not surprised. Grandmother has never been one to curb her feelings nor temper her criticism, even if it hurts others’ feelings.

” A bite rested in her tone, her jaw tight.

He had been aware of her annoyance with their grandmother but not her bitterness.

“But I digress. Serena is rightly upset.”

“Yes, she is.” Hoxton inspected the area, the green grass fragrant in the early morning.

He spied a few other riders ahead of them, close but not close enough to overhear their conversation.

The ever-present guilt settled into his gut, and he rubbed at his belly.

He was embarrassed and ashamed that he had put Serena through torture by simply not standing up for her immediately and not believing her over the gossip.

“She locked herself in the music room and was playing the pianoforte when I left.”

“Roxanne told me Serena often plays when she’s upset.” Daisy fiddled with the end of her reins, her profile to him. While she said nothing further, her silence was telling enough. A bird flew overhead, silhouetted against the sun.

“In hindsight, I shouldn’t have left.” Hoxton shaded his eyes and zeroed in on the black bird with a blue neck that landed in one of the trees.

No matter how many birds he saw, each and every one raised a level of excitement.

Rather like seeing Serena. She had a way of making him view her in a new light every single time.

Until his grandmother put that niggling doubt into his mind, he had been certain that fate had chosen the right bride for him.

The bird took flight, spreading its wings wide.

Daisy pressed her lips together, her skirt snagging on a twig from one of the hedges. The horse’s forward movement detangled the fabric. “Imogene said that Grandmother insulted Serena by accusing her of tricking you into marriage.”

“She’s not the only one who insulted Serena.” Hoxton frowned at Daisy’s in-depth knowledge of what had transpired at Hoxton House. “My own behavior was less than sterling when I first heard the rumor that Blackstone might be in league with Serena.”

“Blackstone was never in league with Serena.” Daisy pushed back a stray strand of hair from her face. The flush that marred her cheeks wasn’t from the ride.

“I can’t say one way or another if he was, or if it even matters at this point.

Serena is my wife, and we can’t focus on the past, we must move on with the present.

” Hoxton shook his head. Society thrived on gossip, and his marriage had set the tongues to wagging.

He should have anticipated this and acted in solidarity with his wife.

Instead, he had impugned her honor by doubting her—was still doubting her.

He shifted the reins to his other hand, the uncertainty still lingering, no matter how much he wished to dismiss it.

“Whether Blackstone had ulterior motives and closed the cellar door of his own volition or was encouraged to do so by Serena, as the gossips are saying, is a moot point. The die is cast.”

Inhaling a noticeable breath, she released it in a long exhale. “Neither Blackstone nor Serena had anything to do with you and her being trapped in the cellar, despite what Lady Agatha and the other biddies say.”

“How do you know it’s not true?” He whipped his head around, staring at her with eagerness.

Daisy had her finger on the pulse of the town’s gossip, and from the confident tone of her voice, she was certain of what she claimed.

If he received confirmation from a reliable source, he could settle his blasted doubt.

Except he shouldn’t need outside validation. Serena told him she was innocent and he should believe her.

“Well, because I was the one who closed the door.” Daisy winced at her own statement and gripped her reins tighter. The horse shook its head in protest, and she immediately slackened the reins. “Please don’t be upset with me, I did it for your own good.”

He stared at her, unable to fathom what she had done. Because of her actions, his marriage was on shaky ground. His temper sparked, and it took a long moment to calm the inner rage. “Blackstone was the last one out.”

“True, but he didn’t close the door. I did.

And before you yell at me, please hear me out.

” She met his gaze with her pleading one.

Earnestness rested there, but he couldn’t allow himself to soften.

“It was more than apparent that you and Serena had a connection, and I could see that you were falling in love with her. Of course, you were too stubborn to notice it yourself, so we prodded you along,” she said.

“My affairs are none of your business. What you did affected more lives than just my own. Lady Roxanne expected me to ask for her hand, and because of the rumors, she refused my offer of marriage.” The rejection from her still stung his pride.

He’d thought long and hard about proposing, only to have his offer refused.

The result had been his marriage to Serena, a woman he cared for deeply.

Daisy looked at him from the corner of her eye, a mischievous smirk on her lips, before she caught herself. “Who do you think planned it all?”

He opened his mouth only to close it seconds later, unable to formulate any words. “Are you telling me that this was all Roxanne’s idea?” All this time, he thought she was simpleminded. Obviously, he was wrong. She was a clever manipulator.

“That is exactly what I am telling you. Everyone arrogantly thinks that they know what’s best for Roxanne, but they don’t.”

“Yet you arrogantly thought you knew what was best for Serena and me?” His admiration for Lady Roxanne grew even broader, but his anger at her eclipsed it. “You manipulated us.”

“She only did what she thought was right.” Daisy spoke in a rush, “Roxanne is far more intuitive than you think. While she was staying here, she and I became friends. She took me into her confidence and we hatched our innocent scheme.”

“It was far from innocent.” He halted his horse, agitation causing him to shift in his saddle.

The confession placed an entirely new light on the situation.

While he was glad he could set his mind at ease, the fallout could very well damage his relationship with Serena forever.

“What you did was reprehensible and could have lasting repercussions.”

“I beg to differ.” Daisy shot him a rebellious glance before her expression softened. “If you hadn’t been so set on pursuing Roxanne because of Grandmother’s wishes, you would have seen how much more suited Serena is for you. You love her, don’t you?”

Did he love her? “Yes, I do, but it isn’t enough.

” Even if he begged for forgiveness, he wasn’t certain Serena could find it in her heart to accept his apology.

Regardless, he needed to tell her so; however, she wouldn’t be receptive right now.

“Come, Daisy, we need to gather your sisters and head home. Before we do, I need to pay a call on Lady Roxanne. I assume she is at her family’s London residence? ”

“I believe so, yes.” With a grim nod, Daisy turned her horse and followed him to the end of the path where the park met the street.

The sound of traffic and voices intruded on their once quiet solitude.

“I know you are upset with her, but please do not be too harsh. Roxanne is in a very precarious position right now.”

“I will keep that in mind, but what she did isn’t easily forgiven.” Hoxton waited for a break in the traffic, determined to hash this out with all parties. The entire scheme would need to come to light, and only then could he heal the damage that he had done to his wife.