Page 35 of The Duke's Concealed Vow
Chapter Sixteen
“Who would you like to invite?” Eleanor asked.
Serena glanced at the paper in front of the dowager, scanning the short list of names that Eleanor had already begun. They were names she didn’t recognize, but she understood that they were close friends with her mother-in-law, and she was eager to meet anyone Eleanor considered to be good company. She thought it over for a moment before responding.
“I must invite my father, my brother and Aunt Imogen, of course,” she said.
Eleanor laughed softly, pointing to the middle of the list to a group of names that Serena had initially overlooked.
“And I suppose you wish to invite Lady Olivia, as well?” she teased.
Serena blushed and giggled as she saw her family’s and best friend’s names.
“Oh, silly me,” she said. “Forgive me for being distracted. And thank you very much for adding them to the list.”
Eleanor gave her a knowing nod.
“I know how overwhelming it is to plan your very first party as duchess,” she said. “There is nothing to forgive, my dear.”
Serena nodded. She was utterly immersed in the plans for the ball, that was true. But that wasn’t the only thing that had her preoccupied. It had been two days since her conversation with Rowan in the library, and it had consumed every moment of her time since then, when she and Eleanor weren’t making more party plans. She hadn’t been able to forget the side of Rowan she saw that day, nor could she stop hoping to see more of it.
“Will Rowan be attending?” she asked tentatively. “He did not seem thrilled about the idea of us hosting this ball.”
The dowager thought for a second before nodding cautiously.
“I believe he will,” she said. “He’s nothing if not attentive to his duties. And being present to formally welcome you to your new position as duchess is one of them.”
Serena nodded. Thinking about dancing with Rowan again, especially after their tender moment in the library, excited her. It would be their very first dance as duke and duchess. And while they might have married under loveless, rushed circumstances, she felt they had begun building a genuine connection two days prior, and she was eager to find out if that could continue.
However, she was also very nervous. The ball was, after all, meant to formally mark the start of her role as Duchess of Dalenwood, and the first impression she would get to give the ton of her prowess as hostess for parties. It would be a significant moment in her new life, and it was vital that everything be perfect.
“Well, I am friends with Candace Joles,” she said. “And it has been some time since I saw Margaret Goode and Diana Vincent.”
Eleanor nodded, writing down the names that Serena gave her.
“I know Lord and Lady Joles,” she said. “They are very dear friends of mine. And my late husband worked with both Lady Margaret’s and Lady Diana’s fathers. He spoke very highly of them.”
Serena smiled softly, biting her tongue. Right then was a good opportunity to ask about the late duke. But it didn’t feel like the right time. Not when the dowager was so happy, helping her plan a wonderful ball. And with her connection to Eleanor growing, and the invaluable support and guidance she was getting about her new role, she didn’t want to spoil a single moment by asking questions she was sure would be painful.
“Pardon the intrusion,” the butler said suddenly, seeming to appear out of nowhere. “But Lady Olivia and Lady Silverwood have arrived.”
Serena and Eleanor both rose, the latter giving the newly arrived guests a warm smile.
“Welcome,” she said, motioning for the two women to approach. “Please, sit. I will have some tea and cakes prepared.”
Serena opened her arms as Olivia ran to her, throwing her own around Serena’s neck.
“Oh, darling, you look positively radiant,” she said. “I do believe that marriage suits you quite well.”
Serena blushed, thinking about her intimate moment with Rowan in the library. Though she had not seen much of him since then, her heart still skipped when she thought about the conversations they had.
“It is good to see you too, Liv,” she said with a laugh.
Imogen moved to embrace her niece as Olivia curtseyed to the dowager.
“I must agree with Olivia,” she said with a wink. “You do seem to be wearing a rather large smile.
Serena could not hide the grin she was, in fact, wearing in that moment. Though it was largely due to the surprise visit by her aunt and best friend, deep down she knew that part of it had everything to do with Rowan opening up to her two days prior.
