Page 83 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Win escorted Serato his carriage, having told the Westlake butler to see that Sera’s things were packed and her trunk brought to Woodbridge with Lord and Lady Westlake.

The moment the carriage door closed, Win pulled her close for a thrilling kiss, a kiss she didn’t think would ever happen again between them. He broke it and stroked her cheek.

“We are off to Doctors’ Commons first for our special license,” he told her. “It will allow us to wed anywhere and at the time of our choosing.” He brushed his lips softly against hers a moment. “Do you have any preferences?”

“You said the Second Sons were all coming to Woodbridge, along with my aunt and uncle, so I suppose the ceremony should be held there,” she told him.

“We can have it take place inside the house if you’d like. In the gardens. Or there’s a small chapel on the estate. Anywhere will suffice for me.”

“I have a fondness for gardens. I would like it to be outdoors.”

“Then so it shall be.” He took her hands and kissed them. “Tomorrow may be too soon. Not everyone may be able to drop what they are doing and come today but I would think the day after tomorrow would be good.”

“Do all your friends live that close to one another?” she asked.

“We are fortunate to be within a few hours’ carriage ride away from each other. Percy and I are in Essex and the other three are located in Kent. Spence has the greatest distance to travel but he can be at Woodbridge in three to four hours from Stoneridge.”

“Shall I confess something to you?”

He eyed her appreciatively. “That you adore me?”

“No. I was hoping I could find a husband who lived somewhere far off. Scotland. Cornwall. It didn’t matter. I simply didn’t think I could be around you and see you with another woman as your wife.”

Win pressed kisses along her knuckles again. “I was worried about the house party and watching you flirt with all the eligible bachelors.” He gazed at her lovingly. “We don’t have to worry about that anymore. Instead of a house party, we will be on our extended honeymoon.”

This time, it was Sera who pressed her mouth softly to his. “I still have a feeling that I will wake up and find this has all been a dream.”

“It is no dream, my love. We are together, as we should be, and will be from this day forth.” He kissed her again. “I was even thinking that although the wedding would be scheduled for two days from now, we might actually move up the wedding night. To tonight.”

A thrill rippled through her. “You mean... you want us to couple tonight? Before we are wed?”

“Yes. It would be scandalous if word got out—but we will be buried in the country. Who would ever know?”

“Yes,” she said, surprised at her quick answer because she had never been a spontaneous person, much less about something so important.

He kissed her again. “Oh, I knew I had chosen the right woman to be my duchess.”

They arrived at Doctors’ Commons and she asked, “How do we go about this?”

“A special license is dispensed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Or rather, his representative. We will have to have our names placed upon the license and our eligibility to wed will be ascertained. The Archbishop of Canterbury does not grant these frequently—or lightly. However, I am a duke. That should come in handy. I don’t think anyone has the audacity to say no to a duke about anything.”

Sera laughed and he helped her alight from the carriage. “I think it was your laugh that truly caused me to fall in love with you. I promised myself that I would make you laugh every day of our marriage so that I might hear it.”

“Then you better be funny,” she warned, laughing again. She had never felt so free as she did now, the weight of her problems lifted, her engagement to Win now official.

Inside, they were directed to an office and when the clerk asked how they might be helped, he merely said, “I am the Duke of Woodmont and wish to purchase a special license.”

Several people came to help and within a quarter-hour, they were already back inside the carriage and headed to their next destination.

“That went remarkably well,” she said.

He gave her a knowing look. “I told you being a duke helped. You will know the advantages available once you become the Duchess of Woodmont.”

Sera bit her lip. “Win, I don’t know if I will make for a very good duchess.”

He looked at her sternly. “You will bemyduchess. Anyone that does not afford you everything that goes with that title will answer to me.”

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