Page 34 of The Duke's Concealed Vow
Serena covered her mouth with her fingertips, her eyes wide.
“What a friend he turned out to be,” she quipped, seeming a bit upset for young Rowan.
Rowan couldn’t help smiling at her reaction.
“Yes, well, I told my mother on our way home that day,” he said. “She never took me back over there to play with him again, which suited me just fine.”
Serena giggled.
“Wonderful,” she said. “I understand that people who grow up that way turn into the worst bullies.”
Rowan nodded in agreement.
“And the worst seedy fellows London has ever seen,” he said with an exaggeratedly raised eyebrow.
Serena laughed again, sending thrills up Rowan’s spine.
“I dare say that you are right,” she said.
Rowan sighed, letting a comfortable pause fall in their conversation. He could not believe how comfortable and connected he felt with Serena. He had told himself that no such thing would ever be possible for him. Yet now that it was happening before his eyes, he was in awe. Not just of the emotions he could feel slowly unlocking, but of the woman responsible.
She was everything he had never known he wanted in a companion. And she was not pretending for the sake of earning his title or fortune. Those things were already hers. Could it be that she truly cared for him?
“Well, in all this time talking, I do not believe that you have told me your favourite author,” Rowan said, breaking the easy silence.
Serena’s eyes brightened in that way he was rapidly coming to love.
“Well, while there are so many wonderful authors, that is an easy question to answer,” she said. “My favourite author is William Wordsworth.”
Rowan’s jaw fell open for the second time that day. He had expected her to say Jane Austen or Frances Burney, since she’d had so much to say about, and so much interest in, their works. He could hardly believe what she had said, until he spoke again.
“Wordsworth is my favourite, as well,” he said, his voice softened with shock. “A poet after my own heart, I suppose you could say.”
Serena nodded, her eyes widening.
“He is a wonderful nature poet,” she said. “Whenever I readone of his works, I could envision all kinds of things I had not yet seen just with his descriptions and passion for the places about which he wrote.”
Rowan nodded.
“His poems with heavy nature themes are rather calming for me,” he said. “I also enjoy his take on the human experience. Like with Lord Byron and the human condition, he has interesting things to say on the subject. And to put so much artistry in a poem is awe inspiring.”
Serena nodded once more.
“I could not agree more,” she said.
They spent the next hour discussing Wordworth’s works, debating their favorite pieces and delving more deeply into the themes which the author incorporated into his works. He was impressed by Serena’s keen observations, which were no less succinct and intellectual than the ones she had expressed about Austen and Burney. And the way she challenged his perspectives and made him see familiar stories in a new light was the most refreshing thing he had ever experienced. He could finally see Serena as he never had before, and he appreciated her intellect as well as the depth of her character and kindness of her heart. Truly, she was an incredible woman. And he could hardly believe that he had the fortune of having such a stimulating conversation with her.
As the morning passed, he could not deny how at ease he felt with her; unlike he had ever felt with anyone before that day. He had just decided that he would do anything necessary to see to it that the conversation did not end when the butler stepped into the room.
“Your Grace, forgive the intrusion,” Lawrence said, raising his eyebrows and struggling against a smirk as he saw his master engaged in lively conversation with his wife. “But Mr. Hodges has arrived for your scheduled meeting.”
Rowan glanced at the clock and saw that it was approaching two in the afternoon. His heart plummeted as he realized he had to excuse himself from Serena and their delightful discussions. He wanted nothing more than to send Mr. Hodges away. But he knew he had to tend to his duties. He might be a new husband, but he was also still a duke, and he could not shirk his ducal responsibilities.
“Do forgive me, Serena,” he said. “I must go speak with my man of affairs. But thank you ever so much for this morning. And I truly hope that we can continue this conversation another time, very soon.”
Serena rose, nodding to her husband, a slow smile creeping back onto her face.
“I would like that very much, Rowan,” she said.
He grinned at her and nodded, excusing himself and getting out of the library. His heart felt lighter, now filling with new possibilities that he hadn’t thought he would ever experience. He understood that there was still much to be resolved between them. But for the first time since before his father died, he felt hope. Perhaps, with Serena by his side, he could find a way to confront his demons and build a future filled with love and understanding.
