Page 31 of The Duke's Concealed Vow
Serena noted the tension in his voice, and she thought he might be hoping for her to leave, despite his cordial invitation. But she saw an unplanned opportunity, and she intended to seize it.
“Thank you,” she said, gazing up at the shelf nearest to her. “I trust that such an impressive collection does not go to waste.”
Rowan regarded her with a raised eyebrow before giving her a tight smile.
“Not at all,” he said. “I have read many of the books in here.”
Serena nodded. He seemed a bit reluctant to engage in normal conversation with her. But if the library was any indication, she was certain she had found a common interest between them.
“I see many titles that I myself have read,” she said, turning back to the bookshelf casually. “I see quite a few familiar authors, as well.”
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Rowan sit a little straighter in his chair.
“Are you an avid reader?” he asked.
Serena smiled softly to herself before turning a more radiant smile toward her husband. I knew it, she thought.
“I am,” she said. “I have enjoyed reading since my governess was still reading to teach me.”
Rowan smiled. His eyes were still bogged down with his hesitation. But the way the corners of his lips turned up brightened his face for a brief moment, and Serena’s heart skipped.
“I can boast the same,” he said.
Serena nodded, stifling her delight as she realized that her husband would, indeed, continue talking.
“Lord Byron is brilliant,” she said, her eyes catching his name on the spine of a book along the row her hand was caressing. “As is Ann Radcliffe.”
Rowan’s eyes lit up then, for the first time that Serena had ever seen. Her heart stopped as she noticed the transition in his face.
“There are but few authors who share Byron’s passionate expression in their works,” he said. “His lyrical prowess is enviable, even amongst those who are not writers. And he dares to explore the boldest of societal themes, not the least of which is the human condition.”
Serena suppressed a thrilled giggle as she listened to her husband speak. He was clearly passionate and knowledgeable about literature, and the discussion of the subject was softening his demeanor. She could at last glimpse the man who existed behind Rowan’s characteristically stoic mask. And that manmade Serena’s stomach fill with butterflies.
“Indeed,” she said, nodding fervently. “I enjoy his vivid imagery and impressive use of language. His style also has a certain emotional intensity that draws in the reader, seemingly without effort. His talents are among the best, to be sure.”
Rowan rose from his seat, looking at Serena in much the same way she imagined that she was looking at him.
“Would you like to come sit and talk more with me about literature?” he asked.
Serena inwardly leapt for joy. Externally, however, she simply gave her husband another warm smile.
“I would be delighted,” she said.
She took the seat across from him, and their conversation flowed as naturally as though they talked every single day. Serena found herself drawn to Rowan’s intellect and the way he expressed his thoughts. In truth, she was mostly drawn to the fact that he was expressing his thoughts to her at all. At last, she felt they were building a genuine connection, and she thought they might be able to share an understanding that went beyond the confines of their arranged marriage.
For the first time since learning of her surprise betrothal to Rowan, Serena felt hope that they could find more common ground and build a real relationship within their marriage. Perhaps everyone had been right. Perhaps she could find happiness in her new life.
“You mentioned Ann Radcliffe, as well,” Rowan said, changing the subject to the second author she had mentioned. “Which works of hers have you read?”
Serena grinned.
“All of them,” she said with a little giggle.
A glint of light shone in Rowan’s eyes and his eyebrows raised comically.
“Really?” he asked, a bit of playful challenge in his voice.“Then list the titles from memory.”
Serena laughed, but she nodded.
