Page 48 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)
Lady Serena stood next to Hoxton at the bird sanctuary. The little chicks had thrived, and now it was time to release them from the hospital room and allow them to join the others.
With a grin, Hoxton lifted his arm to allow the larger bird that they had named Bluey, a handsome male hawk by his coloring, to fly to the rafters.
The bird soared, its wings long and majestic.
Hoxton turned to look at Serena, who had Lucky on her arm, a thick glove protecting her from its sharp claws.
While he was not as big as his brother, he was a handsome bird.
“Are you ready?” Hoxton asked her.
“I am.” She lifted her arm, expecting Lucky to take off.
He clung to her instead. He turned to stare at her, as if she was asking him to do something impossible.
While one wing was stunted, he had managed to fly a few feet in the hospital.
He would never be able to fly far, but he would be able to thrive at the sanctuary. “Lucky, you can do this.”
She tried once more without success.
“Here, let me help.” Hoxton took Lucky and settled him on his own glove. He had warned Serena that Lucky might not fly. She’d had higher hopes for the bird.
Hoxton put his arm next to a low branch, and Lucky stepped onto it, the branch dipping under his slight weight.
Serena sucked in a sharp breath when he spread his wings, as if he were about to fall. “The branch isn’t strong enough.”
“Lucky will figure it out for himself.” Hoxton moved back to her side and slid his arms around her waist. They watched the bird look around, caution in every move.
He reminded Serena of herself. At one point, she’d been afraid to draw any attention to herself.
She’d looked for trouble behind every door. No more.
A flash of white showed, and Rapscallion landed on the same branch as Lucky. Snap! Serena gasped as the branch broke and Rapscallion flew away. “Pretty bird, pretty bird.”
Lucky landed on the ground and spread his impressive wings. He flapped them several times, screeching as he did so. With a burst of speed, he shot off the ground and headed to an upper branch. Serena clapped, tears in her eyes as he landed safely on his new perch. “Lucky, you did it.”
“He rose to the occasion.” Hoxton held her tightly to him, both of them staring at the birds for a long moment.
In the sanctuary, he had found some peace from the harshness of his past life.
She’d grown to love them too, and under his care, learned something new every day.
Household duties often interfered, limiting the time spent with him, and she welcomed every second they could leave the outside world behind.
Since their marriage, they’d become more comfortable together, and her love for him grew every day. She wiped at the corner of her eyes, happiness radiating from her very core. With Hoxton’s love, she never felt less than perfect. “I feel like a proud parent.”
“Every time a bird survives, it makes me forget that they almost didn’t. It is very empowering.” With a squeeze to her waist, he released her and took her hand. “Come, let’s let the birds acclimate to their new environment. I have plans for you that can’t wait.”
Eager to hear more, she walked to the door with him.
Time had healed most of her wounds, and she had no doubts about his love for her.
Since they had revealed their hurts to one another, he no longer wore a hunted look.
Granted, he still suffered from bad dreams, and undoubtedly that would always be the case.
While it saddened her, she wanted to help him in whichever way she could.
“I am positive.” Hoxton opened the door to let in the diffused light of winter.
The sun had set, and there was a nip in the air.
Summer had come and gone, along with most of her uncertainty.
She’d lived in her aunt’s house for over ten years, but only truly existed to attend to others.
Serena had her own staff, and although Imogene helped, she and Mulligan were often off on their own adventures.
She wished them the same joy she felt every time Hoxton held her in his arms.
They stepped outside and into the garden. The steady rhythm of country life suited Hoxton, and he looked every inch the country gentleman. “I have a surprise for you,” he said.
“Do you indeed?” She looped her arm in his and pressed herself against his arm. The bicep beneath her hand flexed, and she squeezed the hardness. His active lifestyle had honed his body, and she enjoyed exploring every firm muscle in his tempting frame. “I am most anxious to find out what.”
“As am I.” Hoxton wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side.
When she’d first seen him, she’d guessed him to be standoffish.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
He moved down the path, their silence companionable.
Her husband was a very affectionate man and showed her how much he cherished her in many ways.
He guided her to the folly, and her pulse leaped.
“Do you plan on seducing me again?” Serena’s entire body tingled with need, anticipation stealing her breath. Not only was he affectionate, but he was also adventurous, and she never knew from one day to the next what surprises he had in store for her.
“If that is your wish.” With a wicked grin, he walked up the steps with her. There was a brazier lit, warming the surrounding area. A table, with a candle and a bottle of wine, was set for two. “I thought we could dine first, unless you’d rather get right to the seduction?” he asked.
“That is a very difficult decision to make.” Serena stood on her toes and kissed his smiling lips. He held her tight to his body, all the warmth that she needed from the weather. She slid her hands up his lapels. His liquid stare held the promise of delicious delights.
A rustling from behind startled Serena. With a brush of his knuckle to her chin, Hoxton stepped back to allow two servants carrying trays of food to pass.
She tried to maintain patience when she wanted to shoo them away.
Hiding a smile at her silliness, she allowed Hoxton to help her to her seat before he took his own.
A comfortable silence rested between them as he reached over and clasped her hand in his larger one.
Since their wedding, he found any excuse to touch her, and she liked his demonstrative manner.
The moment the servants had finished their task of laying out the food and pouring the wine, he dismissed them. His hand locked with hers, he rubbed her thumb until the footsteps faded into the night. “I received a letter from my grandmother.”
Once, the news would have sent her into fits of apprehension. Since the confrontation with her aunt and the subsequent apology by the duchess, her relationship with Lady Diana was on solid ground. “What did she have to say?” Serena asked, taking a sip of the wine.
A mischievous glint lit his expression, his dimples peeking out. “Roxanne and Stiller eloped to Gretna Green.”
“She never told me she wanted to elope.” Serena’s hand flew to her mouth, and she stared at him, shocked to her core. She had been corresponding with her cousin since she went to live with the duchess. Aunt Agatha had been thoroughly cowed by Lady Diana and no longer posed a threat to anyone.
“It would seem she is full of surprises.” Hoxton laughed, drinking his own wine.
She made them both a plate from the cheeseboard on the table. Although she should eat, she wasn’t truly hungry. “All this time, I thought I needed to protect her.”
“I am glad she got her heart’s desire.” Hoxton put his glass down, his thumb brushing the knuckle of her thumb. “I am pleased things worked out the way they did. She and I would never have suited. Nor did she incite any passion in me.”
A flush worked its way up Serena’s cheeks. “I am pleased to hear that. She is beautiful and many men covet her.”
He stood and moved to her side, the food forgotten. “I covet you and, in my eyes, you far outshine her outer beauty.”
“I love that about you.” With a smile, she allowed him to draw her into his arms.
“I love everything about you.”
“Everything?” Although they still struggled at times, things had leveled out between them.
He had taken to spending the entire night in her bed, and waking up beside him cemented her love for him.
The nightmares plagued him, and he struggled with his memories, but he’d opened up to her about them.
Instead of pushing her away, he accepted her willing ear.
Serena never expected to be more than a companion to her cousin. She was still acclimating to her title. It came with many responsibilities, but the most precious one was Hoxton. She loved him, and with love, she could wade through the uncertainties in life with him by her side.