Page 30 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Chapter Eleven

Sera was stilltrembling as Minta and Percy entered the drawing room.

She had merely wanted to comfort Win when she touched his arm. He was so large—and larger than life—yet she heard something in his tone. A touch of melancholy mixed with wistfulness. Even though he was an adult, somewhere inside of him was that little boy who had been ignored. Pushed aside in favor of the heir to the dukedom. It had to have hurt then. It seemed whether Win knew it or not, it still affected him today.

He had spoken briefly of his family on the carriage ride from the London docks to Percy’s townhouse. His brother had been much older and paid no attention to his sibling. The same brother had sorely neglected his responsibilities when he had become the Duke of Woodmont. Now, Win was having to rectify those mistakes. All while hurting.

At least he had had Percy and his brother as cousins. From things Percy had said ever since Sera arrived, Win had spent a great deal of his time at Kingwood with the Perry brothers and Rupert had been an ideal older brother to them both.

She was glad her sister and brother-in-law arrived when they did, wanting to get in control of her feelings as much as her body. Why did she grow short of breath when Win was around? Why did merely brushing her fingers on his arm cause such a tidal wave to stir within her? Sera knew he had also felt something at the exchange for he quickly tried to make light of things.

But what advice might he be in need of?

For a moment, she thought it could be about his future duchess. That caused her belly to feel nauseated. She chastised herself mentally, knowing a future with a man such as the Duke of Woodmont was impossible. Adalyn would find a bright, charming, gracious woman whom Win would wed, not some shy little mouse such as herself. It would hurt, though, when she saw him matched with a woman at the house party. That was the purpose of the event. To find Win a bride. And most likely, a husband for her. Her timidity would not bode well as she entered thetonnext Season. It would be better to find a husband now and be on his arm by the time spring came to England.

But to see Win with another woman already tore at her. She had never felt jealousy of any kind. Never thought to possess another.

Until she had met His Grace, the Duke of Woodmont.

Sera pushed such foolishness aside. Her hope now would be to find a gentleman she could respect. One who would make for a good husband and father. Hopefully, one who lived far from Essex and Kent, where all the Second Sons had their main country estates. If she were wed to a man who lived far to the north or west, then she wouldn’t have to be in the company of the close-knit group.

And she wouldn’t have to see Win doting on his duchess.

She didn’t believe him when he said he wished for a loveless marriage. He would be influenced by his friends, the brothers of his heart, and be as affectionate and loving as those four men were to their wives. Sera herself hoped to find love and if she didn’t, she prayed it would grow over time with the man she spoke her vows to at the altar.

“Tea is coming,” Minta said, dragging Sera from her thoughts. “Bailey told us Win had arrived and I told them to send up the teacart immediately.”

“Shall we move over to where there is more seating?” Percy suggested.

Before Sera could rise, Win was next to her chair, offering his hand. She took it, feeling the ripple of... something... run through her. He guided her to a settee and took the seat next to her. She didn’t really want to be sitting next to him. He was too large and took up too much space. In fact, she could feel the heat coming from him because they were so close.

What would it feel like to have his warm body next to her in bed?

She half-groaned, half-sputtered, clearing her throat as if she had swallowed wrong. Win lightly thumped her on the back, his palm warm.

“Are you all right?” he asked in that deep voice that sent shivers up her spine.

“Yes,” she said brusquely, wishing his attention would be anywhere except on her. She feared he might somehow read her lascivious thoughts, things she had never thought of until he came into her life.

That alone let her know that she and Edward Marsh never would have been right for one another. She had feared it after he kissed her and she hadn’t felt much of anything. Sera had lied to herself, believing that he would come home and they would court and marry and everything would work out between them. It might have occurred that way. Because most likely, she never would have met Win. She would have lived a far different life as the wife of an army captain and never circulated in the social circle she did now with Minta’s friends.

The teacart arrived and her twin poured out for everyone.

“Be sure and drink up,” Win advised Sera. “Hot tea should soothe whatever is caught in your throat.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“I heard Sera playing her violin when I arrived,” Win told the others. “She has a remarkable talent.”

Percy smiled at her. “Yes, Sera’s music is most soothing. Even if Minta had ten sisters, I know Sera would be my favorite, thanks to her sweet spirit and her violin playing.”

“Sera and I often play duets together,” Minta shared.

Win smiled broadly. “You must play for me then,” he begged. “Just one number and then we can continue with tea.”

“Now?” Sera squeaked. “We haven’t practiced anything together in ages.”

“This isn’t a performance at a dinner party, Sera,” Minta chided. “It is merely a song played for a friend.”

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