Page 9 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Chapter Four

Sera watched asthe Duke of Woodmont left the carriage, his broad back covered by the snug coat. His even snugger breeches, tucked into polished Wellingtons, showed off his muscular legs, causing her mouth to grow dry.

It had surprised her how easily she had conversed with him on the way home. Yes, she had a hard time looking at him at first but then the more they spoke, the more it seemed as if he were someone she had known forever.

Percy followed, then Minta went next, and she brought up the rear. Her brother-in-law lifted Minta by the waist to the ground, gently resting her there, looking at his wife as if she were a rare treasure. It was obvious the pair was hopelessly in love and Sera couldn’t be happier. With a baby on the way, their family would continue to grow.

She held out her hand, expecting a footman to take it. Instead, the duke’s fingers clasped hers, causing her heart to slam against her ribs. She moved down the stairs gingerly, afraid she would miss a step and tumble to the ground, which might cause her to die of embarrassment.

Once on the ground, Sera pulled on her hand, trying to break the contact between them. His touch had shivers racing along her spine and made her breathing shallow. He didn’t release it however, tucking it into the crook of his arm instead.

“I shall escort you to the drawing room,” he announced in a very ducal way.

Something told her that even though this man had not been a duke for very long, he had always gotten his way. Edward had told her that officers who achieved higher ranks, such as Woodmont becoming a colonel, were born leaders who muscled their way to the top of the ladder.

Sera pictured Woodmont on a ladder, knocking others aside as he climbed it in those oh-so-tight breeches.

And she giggled.

The duke looked down at her. “Do you find something amusing, Miss Nicholls?”

Her face flamed at his attention directed at her. In fact, it looked as if he was studying her mouth, causing a wave of heat to ripple through her. Surely, he couldn’t know what she was thinking? She had never had wicked thoughts such as these.

Until this man came along.

In a way, it made her feel disloyal to Edward. She had dutifully written the army captain and received a few letters from him in return. As time passed, she thought the kiss they had shared had proven that there was no spark existing between them. She had written less frequently, hoping a little emotional distance might be better.

Unfortunately, Edward’s parents seem to be everywhere she turned. He must have spoken to them of his plans to woo her because Mrs. Marsh sought her out on every occasion and dominated her time. Avoiding the Marshes wasn’t possible, since Mr. Marsh worked in the government alongside her father. The more Mrs. Marsh cozied up to Sera, the more she felt trapped.

It was almost a relief to receive news of his death. She regretted feeling that way and did mourn him for a year, wearing black as if they truly had been betrothed. Her heart told her she was only going through the motions, though. That things never would have worked out between them. When Mrs. Marsh began to cling to Sera at public events, treating her like a widowed daughter-in-law, Sera had known it was time to leave Ontario. She had only stayed behind when Minta returned to England because she wanted more time with Mama. But even her mother knew how unhappy Sera was—and that Mrs. Marsh’s behavior was a large part of it.

That’s why she had left Upper Canada when she did instead of waiting and returning next spring with her parents. Part of her wished to escape Ontario and the memories of Edward, as well as no longer making herself available to the Marshes. The other part yearned to stretch her wings as Minta did and try for a Season. She wondered if there truly might be a gentleman present in Polite Society who would make for a good husband and partner to her.

For that is what Sera longed for. She wanted to be the equal of a man. She wanted to love him even more than he loved her. She wanted exactly what her parents had, a lasting love that transcended place and time.

Would she find it next Season? Even if she dreaded going through it?

She inhaled the bergamot cologne that the duke wore, thinking how she was attracted to him and wanting to dispel that notion. A powerful duke would not give the time of day to someone of her station. Woodmont was only being polite because he was so attached to his cousin. Besides, she would never make for a duchess. They were the women who led Polite Society and set the tone and fashion each Season. A duchess would not wish to have the floor swallow her up. Sera was not the kind of woman a duke would ever notice, much less one as dashing as Woodmont. He would never think a woman his equal. He was rich, powerful, and totally out of her atmosphere.

But she wondered how he kissed. How his kiss might compare to the one Edward had bestowed upon her so long ago.

“Balderdash,” she murmured.

“I beg your pardon?”

Sera glanced up at the handsome duke and bit her lip. “Nothing, Your Grace. I am merely overwhelmed by the trappings of the marquess’ townhouse.”

He chuckled as they followed Minta and Percy down the corridor to the drawing room. “You should see my townhouse.”

“I am certain it is most beautiful,” she said graciously.

He laughed. “It’s opulent, I will give you that. I had never laid eyes upon it until I inherited it.”

His words confused her. “I’m sorry?”

“Oh, I was never allowed to come to town when my parents did for the Season. I stayed home at Woodbridge with my tutor and, later, I was away at school. Now, Terrance did come to town. Once he reached university age, he spent summers in London between his academic terms.”

“While you remained in the country?” she asked, as he led her inside the drawing room.

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