Read The Temptation of Lady Serena Online

Authors: Ella Quinn

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Regency

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BOOK: The Temptation of Lady Serena
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Phoebe glanced at her husband and grinned. “Yes, isn’t that the nice thing about family? They are always there to help one, whether they tell you or not.”
Serena smiled. She’d moped long enough. She would make the best of her new life and she had help now, when she needed it. Running an estate was nothing compared to entering the
ton
. “I—I am a fish out of water. I never thought to have a London Season. I’ve never really been in a town, except for Edinburgh as a child and recently in York to shop. My whole life has changed.”
Phoebe nodded. “Your aunt said you have never been in Polite Society.”
Serena gave a short, mirthless laugh. “I’ve never been in
any
society. We have no towns near the castle and no close neighbors. Except for my dependants, I’ve spent the last eight years alone.”
Phoebe smiled reassuringly. “You’re not alone anymore. We’ll make your come out as easy for you as we are able to. And you may surprise yourself by having fun.”
 
The next morning, Serena rode out with Phoebe and Marcus. Unlike Will, Serena’s groom, her cousin and husband didn’t complain when Serena wanted to gallop ahead. She waited for them at the rise she’d visited the day before. “I like having you two as company. I usually ride alone, although Aunt Catherine is not at all happy about it.”
Phoebe bit her lip. “Serena, in London you may not ride alone. It’s considered fast for an unmarried lady to ride or indeed to walk unaccompanied. It will harm your reputation, and you’ll not be able to obtain vouchers for Almack’s.”
Marcus smiled at Phoebe. “Phoebe didn’t like to ride with a groom, either. It enabled me to escort her.”
She met his gaze. “Yes, that did greatly advance your cause, my love.”
The small signs of affection between Marcus and Phoebe, and between her Aunt Ester and Uncle Henry, intrigued Serena. “I have no wish to seem impertinent, but yours is a love match, is it not?”
Phoebe glanced warmly at Marcus. “Yes, indeed. I was out for over six years before I married.”
“And Aunt Ester and Uncle Henry are a love match as well?”
Phoebe nodded. “It is the tradition in my family.”
“And a very good tradition it is,” Marcus said. “Else she’d have been snapped up long before I returned to England.”
A love match seemed to be a very nice thing to have. “Do either of you know the area here? I was riding alone one morning and stopped here, on the crest. A man upon a great black horse was in the valley.” She frowned. “I left when he rode toward me.”
Phoebe shook her head. “No, I don’t know the area well. Marcus, do you know anyone up here?”
Marcus cast a gaze around again. “A large black horse?”
Serena nodded.
“Was the man fair and tall?”
“Yes.”
“Most likely Robert Beaumont.”
“Hmm,” Phoebe said. “Very proper for you to have ridden off. There is no knowing what a gentleman encountering a lady alone would do.”
 
One week later, Serena arrived at St. Eth House.
Phoebe met her on the pavement. “We’ll visit Madame Lisette in the morning. I’ve already written her, and she’ll be happy to design a wardrobe for you.”
Serena admired all of Phoebe’s clothes. “If she’s the one who designs your gowns, I very much look forward to visiting her.”
“I shall leave you to settle in and see you in the morning.” Phoebe bussed Serena’s cheek and left.
The comfort and opulence of St. Eth House amazed Serena. Built in the last century, it was one of the larger residences gracing Grosvenor Square and one of the few free-standing houses. The nicely laid-out gardens in the back and the smaller ones on each side of the house softened the imposing aspect. Serena’s room had a view of the fountain in the back. She stood gazing out a window when her maid entered.
“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Serena smiled happily. “Feel how warm it is. What I’d have given for this comfort at Vere Castle.”
“Aye, verra warm it tis.” Mary ducked into the dressing room.
“I am beginning to feel as though this adventure was meant to be. Everyone has been so very kind.” Serena sat on the window seat and called to Mary, “How have you fared?”
Her maid had been with her for many years. Serena had been grateful, and surprised, when Mary agreed to leave Scotland and accompany her south. With matters as they were at Vere Castle, Serena did not think she would ever return home. Her goal now was to find a husband, and she decided it must be a love match.
“I’m getting on well, my lady. Rose, Lady Evesham’s maid, has been so good as to show me the newest ways to dress hair and care for your new clothes. And Lady St. Eth’s grand dresser, Perkins, is nice as well.”
“Are you comfortable here?”
“Aye, my lady, and happy, now that I havena got Lady Vere’s French maid telling me I’m doing it all wrong.”
Serena was concerned about the answer to her next question. Her groom, an older man, not used to traveling, had insisted on remaining with her. “Has Will said anything to you about how he’s doing?”
“He’ll miss Vere, but he’s happy to stay with you. Says the other grooms know what they’re about.”
London was indeed warmer and friendlier than Vere Castle, for everyone.
Chapter Two
S
erena entered Madame Lisette’s shop on Bruton Street with Phoebe and their two aunts.
Madame, a small lady, her dark hair streaked with silver, greeted them “Ah, the new
mademoiselle
.
Bien
.”
“My dear Lisette,” Aunt Ester said. “Lady Serena Weir, my niece, desperately needs your help. She requires everything!”
“Bon.”
Madame walked around Serena. “I have made some designs that are
comme il faut
. Just the thing.”
Aunt Ester tapped her chin. “She’ll need several walking, carriage, day, evening, and two or three ball gowns within the week. That should be enough to start.”
Serena’s eyes rounded at the list her aunt rattled off. She’d never even heard of some of them. How could she hope to wear as many as her aunt was ordering? She’d have to change several times a day to make use of them all.
Madame measured her. “I have a few things ready from the information sent me, my lady.” Madame clapped her hands and what seemed like a parade of garments was carried out for their inspection. “They are
très
élégante
for Lady Serena.”
Madame called to an assistant then left them.
Looking at the number of gowns the modiste expected Serena to have fitted, she whispered, “Phoebe. Is shopping always like this?”
“Only at first. Madame will soon learn your taste and then it’s not so chaotic. Give it some time. Once we have some carriage and walking gowns, we’ll look for hats, and shoes. Oh, and we can’t forget fans, reticules, gloves, and muffs.”
Serena plopped into a chair. “I’m exhausted just thinking about it. This is as busy as harvest time. How
do
you keep up?”
Phoebe chuckled. “When you already have your basic wardrobe, it is easy.
Your
difficulty is that, other than the few things you bought in York, you do not have a wardrobe to begin with. Once you are married you’ll need more new clothes.”
“But won’t the new ones do?” How many could one wear?
“Well, some of them will, because of your age, but as a married lady, one may dress differently, and there are
other items
a married lady needs.”
Serena looked at Phoebe in confusion. “What items?”
A wicked glimmer entered Phoebe’s eyes. “Oh, you’ll find out in time.”
Serena’s fear of her eligibility returned. “But, Phoebe,
do
you think some gentleman will want to marry me?”
“Serena, you have all the attributes needed to make a good, if not brilliant, marriage. What’s more important is that you find a gentleman you wish to marry. I am a great proponent of being selective.”
The ladies completed the first of their shopping and returned to St. Eth House. Phoebe followed Serena up to her parlor, sat down at the small writing table, took a sheet of paper, and dipped the nib of the quill into the standish.
“Now then,” Phoebe said, in an efficient tone, “tell me what you want in a husband. What must you have to make you happy in a marriage?”
“You make it sound like shopping.” Serena grinned. “Are you really going to make a list?”
Phoebe’s lips tilted up. “Of course. There is a reason it’s called the Marriage
Mart,
you know. It’s very much like shopping, although choosing a husband is more frustrating—and enjoyable—at the same time.”
Serena sat on the small chaise. “I’ve never seriously considered the question of what I would like.” She paused. “The attributes with which he must be endowed.” Thoughts jumbled, then fell into place. “Very well. Sufficient fortune to support a family. A country estate. Kindness. He shouldn’t want to rule me. I realize that, under the law, he is allowed to do so, but I could not bear it.”
She glanced at her cousin. “It would be nice if he were handsome. Though, if he met my other requirements, I could overlook that. Superior understanding. I could not abide being married to a stupid man. A sense of humor is important. As long as he is a gentleman, I don’t care about his rank. And I want a love match.”
Phoebe put her pen down. “I should warn you, the heart is an independent organ. It is very difficult to tell it whom to love and whom not to. We must hope yours chooses wisely.”
 
Robert, Viscount Beaumont rose when Phoebe entered the library, and watched as his besotted friend, Marcus, strode quickly to greet her. Their unbridled joy at seeing one another caused Robert to shudder.
Marcus took her hand. “Ah, there you are, my love.”
His friend turned her hand over to kiss the pulse at her wrist. They’d been married for over a year and their son was eight months old, but he always greeted her as if they were still courting. Marcus smiled when she blushed.
Beaumont tried to clear his head. That kind of marriage wasn’t for him. He could never cede control to a woman as Marcus had to Phoebe. Experience was a harsh teacher, and Beaumont would not love again.
Robert bowed. “Phoebe, how well you look. I’ve always said that Marcus stole you from me.”
“Robert, what a bouncer. You had no notion of marriage, and I would never have accepted anything less.”
He flushed. “With you, my dear, anything would have been possible.”
She shook her head. “You are a desperate flirt.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. “
You
are very lucky I don’t take offense, Beaumont.”
“Pistols at dawn!” Robert cried, but couldn’t keep the humor from his tone.
Phoebe laughed. “I remember the first time I heard you and Marcus insulting each other. I told him he had been very cruel to you. I was quite wrong. What a pair you are.”
Beaumont smiled wickedly. “Ah, but, my lady, if only you would have walked with me.”
“Enough, Beaumont, else I will throw you out on your ear.” Marcus scowled, but his lips twitched. “I’ll not stand here and watch you make love to my wife.”
“You could leave . . .”
“Oh, no, you must stop.” Phoebe gasped, chuckling. “I will shortly be in tears.”
Robert opened his mouth again, but Phoebe said, “Really, Robert, enough.”
She collapsed on the sofa next to where her husband stood. Once she’d taken her place, the gentlemen returned to their seats.
“I swear,” she said with a gurgle of laughter, “I am never so diverted as when I listen to the two of you.”
Marcus snaked an arm around her. “How was your day, my love?”
“It went well, very well indeed. We have much more to do, but we made a start. Robert, would you like to join us for dinner to-morrow? It will be just family.”
“I shall be delighted to join you.” He enjoyed taking his pot-luck with Phoebe and Marcus. One never knew what their cook would serve.
“Good. We’ll see you at seven. What are your plans afterward?”
“I’ve arranged to join a party at Lady Re . . .” Robert broke off, realizing Phoebe would not approve. “Nothing at all.”
“Would you like to accompany us to Lady Sale’s ball? It will be quite unexceptional.”
Robert regarded Phoebe suspiciously. “Why?”
She gave him an innocent look. “Why for the pleasure of your company, to be sure.”
Marcus pulled her a little closer, and Robert wondered fleetingly what his life would have been like if things had been different.
“My love, don’t you remember?” Marcus said. “To-morrow we’re attending the theater. That new comedy. Robert, what is it called?”
Beaumont not only knew what it was called, but intimately knew Collette, the starring actress.
“Love in a Village.”
“Yes, that’s it. Will you join us?”
Some small part of Robert warned it was a trap, but he ignored it. “Yes, I’d be very happy to attend with you. Nothing I’d like better.”
The door opened and a nursemaid brought in eight-month-old Lord Arthur, Marcus and Phoebe’s son. Arthur bounced with excitement, threatening to fall out of the nursemaid’s arms into his father’s. Once safely in Marcus’s grip, Arthur looked around and spied his best friend.
“Uf, uf.” The baby held his hands out to Robert.
“Apparently Arthur has a preference for you. I don’t understand his taste.” Marcus grimaced. “Still, the baby is young yet and has time to come to his senses.”
Robert took Arthur and jiggled him on his lap. The baby smiled, showing new teeth. “You are growing to be quite a handsome young man. Mind, you don’t decide to look like your father. Your mother is much better looking.” Robert cuddled the baby, breathing in the child’s sweet scent.
Marcus gazed thoughtfully at Robert. “Isn’t it about time you think of setting up your own nursery? You’re past thirty, you know.”
Robert frowned. “Have you been talking to my grandmother?”
 
An hour later, Phoebe walked swiftly into the morning room at St. Eth House.
“Phoebe!” her aunt greeted her. “What brings you here? I was sure you would be playing with Arthur.”
“He decided he liked male company more than mine. Although, I imagine it won’t be long before he wants me again.” She was one of the few
tonnish
women who chose to nurse her son.
“I have come to ask Serena to join us for dinner and the theater to-morrow evening.” Phoebe smiled at Serena. “Would you like that?”
Serena’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Oh yes, of all things! I have never seen a play.”
“Perfect,” Phoebe said. “We will expect you around seven o’-clock to dine with us.”
“Who else will form your party?” Ester asked.
“I don’t know yet.” Phoebe glanced at her aunt. “This has been very last minute. Perhaps Lord and Lady Rutherford. Rutherford always enjoys a good comedy. Serena, you’ll want to meet Anna. She is great fun and a good friend.”
Phoebe stayed for a while longer before returning home. She found Marcus still in the library with a very fussy Arthur.
Sitting, she unhooked her gown as Marcus handed her the baby. “I think he wants you more than me.”
She took her son.
“It was a good idea having your gowns specially made,” Marcus said. “Patience is not our son’s strong suit.”
“It was very fortunate that Madame knew how to make them,” Phoebe replied. “Serena agreed to join us. It will be her first play. Please send round to Rutherford’s and ask if they can accompany us. I do not wish to be too obvious. Oh, and invite them to dinner as well.”
Marcus grinned. “My love, are you playing matchmaker?”
“Now, why would you think that?” Phoebe caressed her son’s cheek and smiled.
 
Entering his home in Berkeley Square, Robert’s gaze lit on a letter which lay on the ormolu hall table, the seal already broken. When he picked it up, his nostrils were assailed by the strong, sickly sweet scent of ambergris. Holding the letter at arm’s length, he gently shook it open and perused the contents.
Collette complaining he neglected her and insisting on his attention that evening. Robert sighed. The lovely, lush, and accommodating actress had just become too demanding. It was time to give the fair Collette her
congé
and move on to other fields.
He strode into his secretary’s office. “Charles, please go round to Rundell and Bridge’s and pick up some bauble for Collette. Send it to her with a note telling her that I shall no longer be availing myself of her pleasures. Word it however you like, so long as she understands.”
Charles shook his head slightly.
“Ah, my poor Charles, you do not approve of my methods.”
“My lord, at the risk of offending you, I do not understand how you can so coldly cast off your—your . . .”
“Liaisons?”
His secretary nodded.
“Perhaps someday I shall tell you. For now, do as I ask.”
Serena had been informed she could gallop if she rode very early in the morning and took her groom. She availed herself of the first opportunity to do so. As the sun was rising the next day, a man on a large black horse trotting along Rotten Row caught her attention.
She stopped under a tree and watched him, admiring his seat. Perhaps she should add riding to her list of requirements for a husband. He reminded her very much of the man she’d seen in Yorkshire. If he was the same man, he was larger than she’d thought. Chastising herself for staring at him, she headed to the exit.
Robert turned and stared in disbelief at the woman riding out of the park. Could it really be the lady from Yorkshire? She had the same habit and auburn hair. Excellent seat. He gauged the distance between them. Damn, there was no way to catch up with her. Cursing his luck and the stupid fool who’d decided one could only gallop on the tan, he turned Démon to race back down the track.
Did she ride every morning? Why hadn’t he seen her before? How could he meet her? That he would, he’d no doubt. Robert’s blood raced at the thought of spearing his hands through her long curls. He smiled slowly, yes, he would definitely find a way.
 
Later that morning, Serena visited Hookham’s. Having never before lived in close proximity to a bookstore, she was in heaven. Upon her return to St. Eth House, she found her aunts discussing to whom Serena should make her first morning calls and which teas she should attend. Between the plans being made for her and the dancing lessons due to begin to-day, butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
Serena wished she was not so nervous. “Are you sure I’m ready to make morning calls and attend teas?”
Aunt Ester smiled warmly. “Serena, you will be fine.”
But Serena knew she was as good as on the shelf. “I’m so old now.”
Aunt Catherine patted her hand. “I’ll not argue your come out should have been long ago. Still there is no reason to be concerned. You’re much more self-assured than you could possibly have been at eighteen.”
Serena took a breath. She didn’t feel self-assured. “At eighteen, I would not have known enough to be afraid.”
BOOK: The Temptation of Lady Serena
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