Chapter Sixteen
“Who would you like to invite?” Eleanor asked.
Serena glanced at the paper in front of the dowager, scanning the short list of names that Eleanor had already begun. They were names she didn’t recognize, but she understood that they were close friends with her mother-in-law, and she was eager to meet anyone Eleanor considered to be good company. She thought it over for a moment before responding.
“I must invite my father, my brother and Aunt Imogen, of course,” she said.
Eleanor laughed softly, pointing to the middle of the list to a group of names that Serena had initially overlooked.
“And I suppose you wish to invite Lady Olivia, as well?” she teased.
Serena blushed and giggled as she saw her family’s and best friend’s names.
“Oh, silly me,” she said. “Forgive me for being distracted. And thank you very much for adding them to the list.”
Eleanor gave her a knowing nod.
“I know how overwhelming it is to plan your very first party as duchess,” she said. “There is nothing to forgive, my dear.”
Serena nodded. She was utterly immersed in the plans for the ball, that was true. But that wasn’t the only thing that had her preoccupied. It had been two days since her conversation with Rowan in the library, and it had consumed every moment of her time since then, when she and Eleanor weren’t making more party plans. She hadn’t been able to forget the side of Rowan she saw that day, nor could she stop hoping to see more of it.
“Will Rowan be attending?” she asked tentatively. “He did not seem thrilled about the idea of us hosting this ball.”
The dowager thought for a second before nodding cautiously.
“I believe he will,” she said. “He’s nothing if not attentive to his duties. And being present to formally welcome you to your new position as duchess is one of them.”
Serena nodded. Thinking about dancing with Rowan again, especially after their tender moment in the library, excited her. It would be their very first dance as duke and duchess. And while they might have married under loveless, rushed circumstances, she felt they had begun building a genuine connection two days prior, and she was eager to find out if that could continue.
However, she was also very nervous. The ball was, after all, meant to formally mark the start of her role as Duchess of Dalenwood, and the first impression she would get to give the ton of her prowess as hostess for parties. It would be a significant moment in her new life, and it was vital that everything be perfect.
“Well, I am friends with Candace Joles,” she said. “And it has been some time since I saw Margaret Goode and Diana Vincent.”
Eleanor nodded, writing down the names that Serena gave her.
“I know Lord and Lady Joles,” she said. “They are very dear friends of mine. And my late husband worked with both Lady Margaret’s and Lady Diana’s fathers. He spoke very highly of them.”
Serena smiled softly, biting her tongue. Right then was a good opportunity to ask about the late duke. But it didn’t feel like the right time. Not when the dowager was so happy, helping her plan a wonderful ball. And with her connection to Eleanor growing, and the invaluable support and guidance she was getting about her new role, she didn’t want to spoil a single moment by asking questions she was sure would be painful.
“Pardon the intrusion,” the butler said suddenly, seeming to appear out of nowhere. “But Lady Olivia and Lady Silverwood have arrived.”
Serena and Eleanor both rose, the latter giving the newly arrived guests a warm smile.
“Welcome,” she said, motioning for the two women to approach. “Please, sit. I will have some tea and cakes prepared.”
Serena opened her arms as Olivia ran to her, throwing her own around Serena’s neck.
“Oh, darling, you look positively radiant,” she said. “I do believe that marriage suits you quite well.”
Serena blushed, thinking about her intimate moment with Rowan in the library. Though she had not seen much of him since then, her heart still skipped when she thought about the conversations they had.
“It is good to see you too, Liv,” she said with a laugh.
Imogen moved to embrace her niece as Olivia curtseyed to the dowager.
“I must agree with Olivia,” she said with a wink. “You do seem to be wearing a rather large smile.
Serena could not hide the grin she was, in fact, wearing in that moment. Though it was largely due to the surprise visit by her aunt and best friend, deep down she knew that part of it had everything to do with Rowan opening up to her two days prior.
Eleanor touched Serena on the back gently, giving her an apologetic smile.
“I have ordered the treats to be made now,” she said. “I must take my leave, as I have a prior engagement with a friend in town. But please, enjoy yourselves, and do not hesitate to let the staff know if you need anything further.”
Serena’s heart fell a little that Eleanor would not be joining them for tea. But she had her two favorite people in the world with her. It would be a welcome distraction from her swirling thoughts and the overwhelming whirlwind of the ball planning. She quickly embraced her mother-in-law, putting her lips close to her ear.
“Thank you for everything, Eleanor,” she said.
The dowager pulled away, kissing her on the cheek.
“It’s my pleasure, darling,” she said.
With that, Eleanor excused herself, vanishing from the room. Olivia and Imogen seated themselves on either side of Serena just as the trays of refreshments arrived. When the servants left, Olivia was looking at Serena with astonished smugness.
“Look who has earned the approval of a certain dowager duchess,” she said with a giggle.
Imogen nodded, looking quite impressed.
“I dare say this is a drastic change from what we observed at the wedding,” she said.
Serena nodded eagerly, filling them in on their plans for the ball. She had not yet had time to send their invitations, as the guest list was not yet compiled. She had planned to do that the following day. But with them there, she was able to invite them personally.
Naturally, both women were delighted to accept. Olivia hugged her again, squeezing her tightly.
“I can still hardly believe that my dearest friend is a duchess,” she said, releasing Serena and clapping her hands excitedly.
Imogen smiled with tears shining in her eyes.
“I am so proud of you, darling,” she said.
Olivia grinned, clapping her hands together and wagging her eyebrows at Serena.
“And what of the mysterious duke?” she asked. “Have you, perhaps, so enthralled him, as well?”
Serena giggled, covering her mouth to control the laughter. Olivia and Imogen exchanged pleasantly surprised looks, and Olivia spoke again.
“Oh, heavens,” she said with a sly wink. “That is the laughter of a happy wife, if ever I have heard one.”
Serena waved her friend away, trying to catch her breath. Her merriment caught her by surprise, as well, and it took her a moment to speak again.
“You are incorrigible, Liv,” she said. “Rowan and I had a very stimulating conversation just a couple of days ago. It seems that all is not lost when it comes to finding common ground with the two of us, and I have found that he is very enjoyable company.”
The other two women’s eyes widened, and Imogen took Serena’s hands.
“You must tell us everything, my dear,” she said.
With another laugh, Serena told them about the hours they had spent in the library discussing literature. She explained how she had witnessed her husband go from tense and withdrawn to almost boyish and childlike as he talked about his favorite characters and stories. She even told them about how reluctant he had been to leave the discussion when his man of affairs had arrived, and his request to continue the discussion another time. Olivia was listening, even more intently than Imogen, her eyes sparkling with happiness for her dear friend.
“Oh, darling, you simply must continue to foster that bond,” she said. “True love takes time and patience. And it seems that Rowan might be willing to consider opening up to you.”
Serena sighed dreamily, recalling the sheer joy she felt as the hours passed in the library with her husband.
“I certainly hope so,” she said. “I would take great delight in conversing with him in that manner every day.”
Oliva nodded, her expression sage and warm.
“Be understanding of his guarded nature, now that he’s shown you this part of him,” she said. “His walls might be the result of some past wounds that he has yet to resolve. It might take time, and a great deal of trust, but I am sure that he could come around to fully opening up to you.”
Imogen nodded, her wisdom apparent on her face.
“Olivia is right, darling,” she said. “Patience is the best thing that you can give Rowan right now. Building a strong and lasting love often requires facing challenges and overcoming obstacles together. Communication and understanding are very important to helping a solid relationship work and grow.”
Serena nodded.
“You are both right,” she said, smiling at her most beloved women. “And now that Rowan has begun to open up to me, I feel that I can be more patient. For as long as I need to be. Now that I have glimpsed into who he truly is, I am willing to do whatever it takes to allow him to trust me completely.” And I am ready and willing to trust him, as well, she added silently.
Imogen nodded, embracing her niece.
“I know that you are,” she said.
As tea came to an end and she waved goodbye to her aunt and friend, Serena’s determination and hope refreshed anew. The support and advice from the two women had been invaluable in bolstering her spirits. She now felt as though she had the strength to face the challenges that lay ahead for Rowan and her, and their fragile marriage. She returned to the ball preparations with a new outlook on everything, eager to create a ball that was as memorable as it was successful.
Yet even as she immersed herself in the planning with great joy in her heart, there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind. Despite all the things that were now feeding her hope, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there were still secrets and obstacles to overcome in her relationship with Rowan. The cryptic nature of their arranged marriage and the walls that Rowan had built around himself still weighed on her. She thought about what Olivia had said, and she was sure that her friend was right. But how could she help heal the wounds if she didn’t even know what they were?
Serena gave herself a firm mental nod, summoning all her determination. She would be patient and understanding with her husband. But she would also find a way to break through his walls. She wanted to know everything, including the truth behind their union and the reasons for Rowan’s guarded nature. She was his wife and she deserved to know. But she was also growing to care deeply for him. And seeing him hurt was painful to her, as well.