Page 22 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Her thoughts turned again to the Duke of Woodmont. His estate, Woodbridge, was six miles from Kingwood. Though they had been back in Essex for over a week now and Minta had sent invitations twice for His Grace to come and dine since his friends were visiting, the duke had regretfully declined both times.

Sera hoped it wasn’t because of her.

She had felt something spark between her and Woodmont. At the same time, he had put her totally at ease. Usually, she was reticent around any stranger but she had chattered like a magpie as they conversed in the carriage on her way to Minta’s London home. When he had come inside for tea, she had worried she would clam up but, again, their conversation had proven natural, adding Minta and Percy to the mix. The duke had even boldly proclaimed he would not attend the Danburys’ house party unless Sera came, too.

She had agreed to do so. Because he intrigued her.

Oh, she didn’t think the duke had any kind of romantic interest in her. He was simply a gentleman who wanted to put his cousin’s sister-in-law at ease. Though Woodmont had not been the heir apparent, no one would guess that when they met him. To Sera, he seemed every inch what a duke should be—tall, handsome, powerful, wealthy.

It did bother her, though, that he hadn’t come to Kingwood. She didn’t sense any kind of estrangement between him and the Middlefields. They were a lovely couple and part of Minta’s and Percy’s close social circle.

Then why hadn’t he bothered to visit?

“Are you ready for your journey back to Stoneridge?” she asked Spencer.

“It will be good to return home,” he admitted. “We had only been there a short while since we had been in town for several months. I do love the country, however. You must come and visit us at Stoneridge, Sera. I know as much as Tessa and I would enjoy having you visit, Analise and Adam would like it even more.”

Tessa and Minta entered the room and Tessa said, “Analise crawled from her bed and wound up in Sera’s again.”

“Again?” the earl said. “I apologize for my daughter’s behavior.” He grinned shamelessly. “Yet I cannot help admire her cleverness. At two, Analise is a brave girl to leave her bed, sneak past her nanny, find the right bedchamber, and enter as quiet as a thief.”

Everyone laughed. Sera already knew how indulgent Spencer was to his two children, spoiling them with love and attention, which she didn’t consider spoiling at all.

“Do you have everything ready?” Minta asked and then she flung a hand across her mouth, leaping to her feet and fleeing the room.

Percy hurried after her though Sera knew there was nothing her kind brother-in-law could do. Minta had regularly left the room several times a day since Sera’s arrival. It had worried her at first because she had never truly been around a woman increasing but Tessa had informed her this was commonplace. Although Sera did look forward to having children, she did not wish to rush to a chamber pot numerous times a day.

And she also wondered what it was like to get with child. Mama had never spoken about the process to the twins. She wondered how much—if anything—Aunt Phyllis had told Minta before she wed the marquess.

She decided she would ask once the Middlefields left today. It would be better to allay her curiosity now than wait until the eve of her wedding and learn things she might have a hard time processing.

“Do Percy and Minta have any other visitors coming?” Spencer asked her.

“You know they do,” she teased. “It did not take me long to figure out that just as the Second Sons came and helped the Duke of Woodmont ease into his new role after he left the military, the Three Cousins are also doing their best to assuage my fears regarding my launch into Polite Society when I attend the house party.”

“Were we that obvious?” Tessa asked. “Minta shared with us how shy you can be, Sera, but I haven’t found you overly shy at all.”

“That is because from the moment you and Spencer set foot upon Kingwood, you made me feel a part of you,” Sera replied. “I felt from the beginning as if I had known the two of you for a long time. I hope it will be that way when I meet the other two couples. As to answering your question, Lord and Lady Danbury will be the next to arrive in three days’ time. I believe she wanted to come next so she would be able to spend more time at home as the date for her house party draws near.”

“You will adore Louisa,” Tessa assured her. “And Owen, rascal that he is, is ever so much fun. Spencer, Ev, and Percy are the more sedate ones of the bunch, while Owen and Win are the fun-loving rogues.”

Hearing that about the Duke of Woodmont forced her once again to see how very unsuitable she would be for him. Not that he had any interest in her.

“But that is the yin and yang of things, my love,” Spencer said, taking his wife’s hand and kissing her fingers.

Sera was already growing used to such small, intimate gestures because she saw them often with both Percy and Minta and Spencer and Tessa.

“What is yin and yang?” she asked, curious about the phrase she had never heard before.

“It is an ancient Chinese philosophy I learned about at Cambridge,” Spencer told her. “It describes two halves that together complete wholeness. How opposite forces can complement one another and become connected, strengthening the other until a new balance is created.”

Tessa chuckled. “Spencer enjoys philosophy. What he is saying is that the Second Sons have each wed a woman that is different from them, almost an opposite. Your sister and Percy are prime examples. Percy is the most reserved man I have ever met. When around the Second Sons, he is comfortable and more himself but when he is out and about among theton, he is withdrawn and aloof. Minta, as you know, is spirted and ebullient, full of good cheer. She helps balance Percy and brings out the best in him.”

“I do agree they are well-matched,” Sera said. “Though I never would have chosen Percy for my twin, I can see how they are suited for another.”

“I think you are like Percy in many respects, Sera,” Spencer said. “You are thoughtful and reserved, observing the world and its inhabitants. When you are comfortable with others, such as close friends and family, you aren’t shy in the least bit.” He paused. “I know this house party might prove difficult for you at first but by then you will know all five of the Second Sons and the four wives. Adalyn may think your perfect match lies with a man who can bring out your best qualities. One who is more outgoing than you are.”

“Would you be opposed to a match with such a man?” Tessa asked.

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