Page 79 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Sera awoke, hereyes gritty from lack of sleep. She had lain awake most of the night, images of Win flitting through her head.

It was done, though. She had walked away. The only thing she could do. She regretted not telling Freddie and Charlie goodbye but if she had, they would have let the cat out of the bag and told Win. He would have tried to convince her to stay until the house party.

By then, her heart would have been in shreds.

No, she had done what needed to be done in order to protect her heart. Still, she was utterly miserable right now—and knew she would be for some time. Eventually, she would return to Minta at Kingwood. After all, she was going to be an aunt. She wanted to be present for the birth and hold her sweet niece or nephew in her arms.

A soft knock sounded at the door and then her aunt pushed it open, concern written on her brow. She came in and closed the door behind her, coming to the bed and perching on the edge.

Taking Sera’s hand, she said, “I don’t need to ask how you are this morning. Your eyes are practically swollen shut.”

Sera had arrived just as her aunt and uncle were leaving for a ball. Immediately, Uncle West had told the coachman to return the carriage to the mews and they had taken Sera inside, where she had bawled like a newborn. Gently, Aunt Phyllis coaxed the story out of her. She had said they would be happy for Sera to remain in town with them for as long as she wished.

Then Uncle West had asked if she might like to go to Westfield instead. It was his country estate in Essex. Although it was located close to Woodbridge, Sera decided she would prefer being in the country and told him she would like to go there in a few days, after she had spent time catching up with them.

“I have been better,” she admitted. “I got myself into this mess. I know it will take time for my heart to mend.”

“There’s nothing like a strong cup of tea and a hot bath. Would you like both now?”

She nodded. She had not had a full bath since she’d left Kingwood. The thought of that small luxury perked her up a bit.

Aunt Phyllis rose and bent, kissing Sera’s cheek. “I will see to it, then. I can also send some breakfast up for you after you bathe.”

Sera started to protest, not feeling the least bit hungry, but she might change her mind after her bath.

Her aunt left and she brought the bedclothes up to her chin, burying herself until the hot water arrived. She let her mind go blank.

Half an hour later, servants began arriving with a tub and buckets of hot and cold water. Her aunt instructed a maid to begin unpacking Sera’s trunk and asked that she see to her clothes being ironed.

“Iron this sea green gown first,” Aunt Phyllis instructed. “Miss Nicholls will wear it today.” To Sera, she said, “I do love how when you wear green, the color of your eyes stand out.”

Her aunt also discovered the vial of jasmine that Sera liked to add to her bath water and did so, swirling her hand through the water to stir it in.

“Would you like me to stay and help you bathe and wash your hair? Or I can have one of the maids assist you.”

“Actually, I would rather do so myself. I... need a little time to myself if you don’t mind.”

“I understand,” her aunt said, her eyes glimmering with tears. She took Sera’s hand in hers. “I know this has been difficult. Giving your heart to someone always is.”

“What is worse is knowing that Win never could have returned my affections,” she said, blinking away fresh tears.

Aunt Phyllis cradled Sera’s cheek. “Time will help heal you.”

Everyone left and Sera shed her night rail. She stepped into the bath and sank into the hot water, leaning back and submerging herself before quickly springing up. She washed her hair first and rinsed it, lifting it and setting it outside the tub before taking up the soap and lathering it. Her aunt was right. The bath felt wonderful. She reached for the hot tea which had been brought and sipped it, allowing it to soothe her.

A maid came in carrying the green gown. “All nice and ready for you, Miss Nicholls,” she said brightly. “I’ll place it on the bed. I already have your undergarments laid out for you. Just ring when you are ready and I’ll return to help you dress and then I’ll unpack for you.”

“Thank you.”

The servant left and Sera luxuriated in the water a bit longer. It finally began to cool and she stood, taking a bucket of warm water and sluicing it over her body to rinse away the last of the soap. She reached for the bath sheet and wrapped herself in it before stepping from the tub. Feeling the breeze of the door opening, she assumed another maid had returned, probably sent by Aunt Phyllis to help Sera in combing out her hair, which had a tendency to tangle when wet.

“I don’t need any help just yet,” she called out. “I will ring when I do.”

“Are you certain you don’t need any help?” a deep, familiar voice said.

Sera wheeled, shock pouring through her. “You... you can’t be here,” she sputtered, tightening the bath sheet around her. “Get out!”

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