Page 11

London 22 July, 1833

S erena paced the floor of the drawing room for the hundredth time. The Slavery Abolition Act was facing its second reading today in the House of Commons with Julian and his fellow Whigs advocating for the bill. Surely it must pass this time?

For over twenty-six years, this fight had been happening and during that time Serena reflected on the wonderful life she’d shared with Julian. She never forgot how easily she could have lost it all except for Julian’s big heart.

Two sons and two daughters, and a role by Julian’s side as his unofficial secretary meant her life was rich and full of love and laughter. More than she could ever have imagined.

“I’ll call for more tea,” her daughter Penelope said as she stood to pull the bell. “This wait is nerve wracking. I wish the men would return. I hope they are not celebrating without us, before sending word.”

Serena smiled at Pen’s restlessness. She had hoped that by now her daughters, and all women, could be more involved in the running of the country but that was still a dream. Why did men fear intelligent women?

At least her daughters had found men who respected and loved that intelligence. Margot, the eldest at twenty-five, was married and currently with child. She’d married Lord Wolfarth’s son, the current Earl of Dibley, and heir apparent. Serena and Julian were so proud.

Rebecca, the youngest at nineteen, was betrothed to Lord John Perrin, the eldest son of Lord Locke Perrin. Their wedding was next month and keeping the two young people apart was proving to be almost impossible. Serena hugged herself. She remembered that no one could keep her and Julian apart before they married.

The door opened and there was Carter, their butler, with a note on a gleaming silver tray. Penelope jumped to her feet and intercepted the note before Serena could take it. Pen tore it open and then squealed and started dancing. “It passed.”

Serena felt tears well. Such a long and hard-fought battle and they’d won. Maybe now Julian could retire and they could spend more time together.

Pen added, “The men say they’ll be home shortly to celebrate.”

She said to Carter, “Is everything ready? The guests will start arriving as soon as they hear the news.”

Serena had planned a small party for their close friends to celebrate—if the bill passed. She spent the next half an hour ensuring everything was ready.

She was in her bedchamber, tidying her hair, when Julian finally arrived home. When he entered her room, he looked tired but oh, so handsome. His dark hair was sprinkled with grey and his face was a little fuller, but when he spotted her looking at him, his eyes lit with laughter and love and he took her breath away.

She rose to her feet and crossed to embrace him. “You did it,” she gushed as he hugged her tight.

“We did it. That speech you wrote for me was magnificent.” He kissed her soundly.

They stood in her bedchamber embracing. Serena pulled back. “You look tired.”

He nodded. “I am. I think I shall bow out of politics and leave it to the younger, more energetic fellows.” And he kissed her again more passionately. When he finally broke the kiss he said, “We could retire to our country estate and be happy. I thought we could write a memoir of our struggles to see this bill pass.”

“The children would be gone and I would get to have you all to myself. I love the sound of that.”

“Only until the grandchildren arrive. I know we’ll become very popular then.” He glanced at her bed.

She smacked his chest. “Don’t even think about it. Our guests have already started to arrive and I can hear our son, striding this way along the hall.”

And as if on cue Jackson popped his head around the door. “Oh, for goodness sake. I thought I’d find you two here. Can’t you wait until our guests have gone?” She loved Jackson’s smile because he looked so much like his father. Julian pulled her in for another kiss much to Jackson’s disgust. “Don’t be long. I’ll keep them busy for a time.” With that their eldest son disappeared, leaving them to their privacy.

“I wish he’d settle down and marry. Lady Georgina is such a lovely girl.”

Julian laughed. “The more you push, the more he’ll resist. He is enjoying his life. Leave him be.” He tweaked her nose. “You just want me all to yourself.”

“He and Jeremy have taken bachelor quarters so I’ll have you all to myself once Pen is married.” Jeremy was the second son who looked more like Serena and he was, to her joy, a journalist. Jeremy didn’t have to work, but he was a reformer and used his words to educate and she had a special bond with her son. Jeremy too remained unmarried, and she worried he might love his work a little too much.

“Jeremy will marry when the right woman comes along. It might take something to shake him up as it did you. You seemed in no hurry to marry me until you almost lost me.”

She slipped her arms around his neck. “And wasn’t I lucky that you loved me enough to forgive me my stupidity.”

Without her even noticing, Julian had maneuvered them to the edge of the bed. “How much time do you suppose we have?” he asked as he tumbled her down to the mattress.

“You’re insatiable,” she laughed gaily, full of love for this man who knew her better than she knew herself.

“Only for you, Serena. Always only for you.”