Page 7 of Courting the Duke (Reimagined Regency #2)
Serena removed her bonnet, one of many gifts from Roxanne.
Since she’d come to live with them, her cousin delighted in buying Serena dresses.
She’d been given room and board at Clarkingham Manor, but no allowance.
Her pride had said not to accept the gowns, no matter how well-intentioned the giver.
However, the role of a companion required her to be out in society, and although she garnered little attention, it wouldn’t do for her to look less than polished.
Roxanne sat at the breakfast table near the window overlooking the garden, in a cream tea gown that flattered her complexion.
Brutus, an elderly dog that Roxanne had rescued from the streets, sat on her lap.
Like every other room in Hoxton House, Roxanne’s quarters were very comfortable and elegant.
The simple yellow décor offered a relaxing atmosphere, and the smell of flowers placed in a vase on a table near the door wafted throughout the room, but it couldn’t hide an underlying acrid stench.
“You are up rather early, but then you are always up early, aren’t you?
” Roxanne asked, smiling at Serena. She scratched Brutus behind his long, sharp ear, seemingly unaware or uncaring of the sour smell the dog emitted.
The elderly animal yawned, displaying a jaw with missing teeth.
While he showed his age, he was a sweet animal with a lovely disposition.
“I am.” The conversation with Hoxton returned to Serena, and she willed herself to keep a light expression.
There was a good possibility that he might not want to marry Roxanne, which would be devastating for many reasons.
The countess would be furious once she found out, and Serena wanted to spare her charge that uncomfortable conversation.
“I enjoy a walk in the garden in the early morning hours.”
She slipped into the seat across from Roxanne and reached for the teapot. While her charge enjoyed hot chocolate, Serena preferred a cup of tea, especially one of such fine quality.
“I don’t understand what you find so engaging.
It looks rather cold out there. Is it cold out there?
” Roxanne was not one for the outdoors, nor was she one who enjoyed much other than dancing at social events.
Shopping was Roxanne’s passion, and in addition to providing Serena with more dresses than she could ever wear, she delighted in gifting clothing to the orphanage at the parish.
As her companion, Serena often went with her to the warehouses for new fabric.
“It is very pleasant outside and refreshing. Don’t forget, we promised Hoxton that you would walk with him later today to see the peacocks.
” She inspected the breakfast offerings, noting the scones and marmalade, as well as a variety of apples, grapes, and oranges, all of which were Roxanne’s favorites.
Roxanne’s face fell, and she lifted a scone from her plate, bringing it to her mouth and taking a healthy bite. Brutus watched her every move until her mistress gave him a piece. She shook her head, fear reflected in her eyes. “I do not wish to,” she said through a mouthful of food.
Serena didn’t correct her manners because soon enough, the countess would be awake, and Roxanne would not be able to eat for the rest of the day.
Thus, it was her routine to eat a very hearty breakfast to see her through until Serena could sneak her an apple or something else.
What the countess did to her daughter was cruel, but it wasn’t Serena’s place to interfere.
She did believe that it was her place to help her fellow human beings, however.
“You needn’t fear the peacocks will attack you.
I assure you that Hoxton would not take you there if they were dangerous. ”
“I don’t understand what his obsession with birds is. Nasty little creatures and, well…” Roxanne laughed and shoved more of the scone into her mouth. Taking another large sip of her hot chocolate, she swallowed visibly. “Once, when Stiller was taking me for a walk, a bird shat on his shoulder.”
Contagious giggles erupted, and Serena couldn’t help but smile herself. It was during moments like this that she wished Hoxton could see the lighthearted side of Roxanne.
“That must have been very embarrassing.” Serena noticed the letter from her brother Brandon for the first time. She lifted it from a small silver tray, and broke the seal, unfolding it.
Roxanne merely shook her head. “Stiller was very good-natured about it.”
Serena scanned the brief letter written in Brandon’s meticulous hand.
She lifted the honey and added some to her tea, turning the steaming brew a liquid bronze.
He was at university earning an education until he could take his rightful place as the vicar at Clarkingham.
“Brandon says that his classes are progressing well and he will be home to visit at month’s end. ”
“That is excellent news.” Roxanne shifted in her seat, her fingertip skimming the plate for crumbs. She ate every morsel she could consume. “Brandon always has the best stories from university.”
“Indeed, he is a gifted storyteller.” Serena’s stomach rumbled, and she picked up an apple and bit into it.
It was by the grace of her uncle alone that her brother would receive the coveted spot.
Luckily, her uncle was fond of Brandon, although her aunt often lorded the position over Serena’s head to keep her in line.
Brutus’s ears perked up, and he began to whine, staring at Serena from his one good eye. The dog adored apples, but sadly, the fruit didn’t sit well with him.
“I am sorry, but you know you cannot eat these,” Serena told him.
Noise came from outside the door, and Roxanne froze, her head tilted as if listening.
It wasn’t unusual for the countess to barge in without permission, but from the lightness of the footsteps, Serena doubted that it was she.
The woman had a robust frame, and the old wooden floors creaked, no matter how luxurious the home was.
Once the footsteps passed, Roxanne relaxed. Serena focused on the task at hand. “Stiller is a very agreeable gentleman.”
Roxanne released a heavy sigh. “He is attentive.”
Picking up a knife, Serena cut into the warm bread and spread strawberry marmalade on it, while choosing her words with care. “Are you in love with Stiller?”
Love was a circumstance that Serena was certain she would never experience. Because of the scar from a cleft lip, she received disconcerting looks from people, and more than once, the countess reminded her that it wasn’t flattering to show that side of her face.
“Stiller?” Regret sharpened Roxanne’s features. “I am supposed to marry Hoxton.”
Serena tried to display her left side while in conversation with people, but for some reason, Hoxton seemed to always appear on her right.
At the thought of the gentleman, she couldn’t stop her heart from fluttering the tiniest bit.
He had looked so overtly masculine that morning, with his wind-swept hair and his broad shoulders encased in a well-fitted brown coat.
He had spoken to her without censure, even though he had a right to berate her for eavesdropping.
She hadn’t intended to, but he had caught her out.
In the end, she was glad for the discussion because she now had a course of action.
What she needed to say had to be done delicately.
“What do you want? Do you want to marry Hoxton?”
With a slight hesitation, Roxanne nodded. She fed the dog another bite of scone. “Of course I want to marry Hoxton. I will be a duchess and live in this beautiful home.”
“Stiller can give you a home.” Before Serena could share her plan with Roxanne, she needed to confirm that this was really what Roxanne wanted.
With all the discussions about expectations, she knew it was an uphill climb to get Roxanne to see that she actually had some decision-making power in the situation.
“He is a squire and I am the daughter of a countess.” She shook her head and set her cup down, staring into the nearly empty porcelain.
“While I am flattered by Stiller’s attention, my fate is to be Hoxton’s wife.
My godmother and even the queen favor the match.
I wouldn’t dare defy them, for they all claim to know what’s best for me. ”
The bit of rebellion in those words gave Serena hope. “What they claim might be false. Nobody can make you marry.”
“I am not like you. I must do what my mother tells me.” She didn’t sound very sure, but Serena would not pick this hill to die on.
“I had a very interesting conversation with Hoxton.” How to say this without panicking Roxanne? She chose her words with care. “He is interested in finding out more about you. He knows that the pressure for you to marry him is very great. The pressure is hard for him as well.
“You know it is difficult for me to speak with him. Truth be told, he scares me a little.” She pushed her food away, a sure sign of her distress.
“Are you frightened that he will hurt you?” This was something Serena hadn’t anticipated.
Hoxton was a war hero, and sometimes men who had seen battle, displayed disturbing behavior.
Part of Serena’s duties while living at her aunt’s was to visit the local village and offer alms to the poor.
One of the poor souls she had befriended was a veteran who had demons that seemed to follow him even after many years.
“No, I am not afraid of him in that manner. He speaks in such a way that I don’t understand what he’s saying sometimes.” She stood and placed Brutus on her vacated seat before she began to pace, the gown falling to her ankles. “And he likes birds.”