Page 40 of The Duke's Concealed Vow
“It’s all so strange,” she said. “I did not even know Rowan before my debut ball. And yet, Father acts as though he has known him, and known of this plan, for ages.”
Julian shook his head, putting his arm around her shoulders.
“I do not think there was any long-running plan,” he said. He paused, holding up a finger. “At least, not where Father is concerned. But it is odd that the Duke was set on marrying you and would not take no for an answer as if he has known you for quite some time.”
Serena nodded.
“Precisely,” she said. She was disappointed that their father refused to tell Julian his reasons for marrying her off to Rowan. But she could hardly say that she was surprised. Even though Julian was a man, he was also her brother. The earl no doubt knew that with the close bond the siblings shared, anything he told Julian would be reported directly to Serena.
Julian tightened his arm around her, giving her a gentle, loving shake.
“Come now, Sister,” he said. “Your smile was so brilliant when I first arrived. Let us see it return. Do not fret about something if you are finding happiness. Let me worry about continuing to see what I can find out.”
Serena nodded. Julian always comforted her, even if he didn’t have solutions to her problems. She leaned into him, putting her head on his shoulder.
“Tell me a joke to uplift me, Brother,” she said.
Julian looked down at her and grinned.
“Have you heard the one about how much a white bear weighs?” he asked.
The siblings laughed.
***
“Serena, darling, you look absolutely radiant,” the dowager said as Serena descended the stairs later that evening. Christine had helped her into a rich purple silk evening gown withmatching gloves, reticule, hat, and slippers. She smiled at her mother-in-law as she embraced her, noticing over her shoulder that she and Rowan were inadvertently matched. He was wearing a purple velvet suit of the exact same shade as her gown, with a paler purple cravat and boots that matched the flowing silk material. She released the dowager with a kiss on her cheek, stepping toward her husband’s outstretched hand.
“I have never agreed with Mother more than I do now,” Rowan said, smiling warmly at her. “You look lovely.”
Serena blushed, unable to deny how handsome Rowan was.
“You look rather dashing yourself, Rowan,” she said shyly.
Rowan offered both of the women an arm and escorted them to the carriage that would take them to Louisa and Harry’s for dinner. This time, however, she was not nervous. She was excited for the evening ahead of them since her fruitful conversation with Rowan. She knew there was still more to uncover with him. But that night, she felt closer to him than ever before.
When they arrived, they were greeted warmly by the couple in the grand hall.
“Welcome,” Louisa said, opening her arms to embrace her family.
“Thank you for having us, my darling,” Eleanor said, kissing her daughter on both cheeks as the men greeted one another.
Harry smiled, offering Louisa his arm.
“Please, follow us,” he said. “Dinner is being served as we speak.”
The trio followed behind the expecting parents. Serena watched with a warm heart as Louisa rested her head comfortably on Harry’s arm. Harry stopped to kiss his wife atop her head before continuing onto the dining room. Their love and affection for one another was very apparent, as was Louisa’s radiance in her pregnancy. Serena had once longed for thosethings for herself. But in that moment, she was merely happy for the bliss that her new friends, her new family, shared with one another.
“Tell me, Daughter, how goes the pregnancy thus far?” the dowager asked as they seated themselves at the dining table.
Louisa beamed, her smile lighting up the entire room.
“Our physician says that everything is just perfect,” she said. “I feel wonderful, apart from a couple of sick mornings. And we have already begun remodeling one of our large guest suites into a nursery.”
Harry grinned, nodding.
“I myself intend to lend a hand to the actual construction,” he said. “I want nothing but the best of perfection for my firstborn.”
Serena smiled at the undiluted joy of her friends. Their happiness brightened the entire atmosphere as they shared their excitement about the impending arrival of their child.
