by Jenna Hart
The two others nodded, knowing that Hadden preferred to work alone on some issues, and this would be one of those instances.
Lennox had Graham and Seamus, his two most trusted men, keeping a check on the guards, moving between the rooms, with strict orders to notify them if anything changed or any guards were out of place.
Serena knew that her husband would be on the hunt for Sanders, and she wanted to help him, thinking her skills of sneaking around and eavesdropping might finally come in handy. First, she needed to know what his next step was, so she had begged Alice to listen and find out what she could.
This would be her only chance to prove to Hadden she could be of some help to him and that marrying her hadn't been a waste for him.
After convincing the reluctant Alice to help her, Serena waited while Alice went outside using the guise of collecting some fresh flowers for Serena. The window to the duke's office was open, and the men's deep voices carried into the private courtyard, echoing inside the enclosed space.
They couldn't see her, but she could hear them, moving closer to make sure she got all of the information Serena needed.
Since the announcement of her marriage, her mistress hadn't been herself, and Alice hated that. Serena was family to her, and she had treated her like a friend and not a servant.
This was the first time Serena had looked alive since they had moved to the duke's townhouse, and if Serena needed a way to try and help the duke track down his brother's attacker, she would do whatever he could to help her.
Alice looked around, making sure no one was looking before she ran upstairs to tell her mistress what happened.
"Tonight. Tonight, they're going to an inn and a gaming hell. Lord Sutton and the other one is going together, and your duke will be going alone." Alice tried to catch her breath before continuing. "Rena, best stay here. I think its too dangerous for you. Please."
Serena knew she really shouldn't interfere, but she wouldn't get another chance to help Hadden, and the thought of him going alone to look for someone dangerous made her feel sick.
"Alice, I'm going to need some clothing," Serena said, moving off of the bed.
"What would you like?" Alice asked, unsure what exactly her mistress would be needing. Her wardrobe was completely stocked.
"I'm going to need some trousers and a coat," Serena said, offhand. "Oh, yes, and a hat. A men's hat."
"I beg your pardon, Miss?" Alice asked, even more confused.
"Alice, I can't very well go out dressed like…like myself, can I?" Serena didn't need an answer to the question, and Alice knew her mistress wasn't expecting one.
Alice stood and listened, while Serena went over a few more things she would need to pull off her plan successfully.
"Oh, and perhaps a dark cloak-surely before tonight, we can track one down," Serena rattled off to Alice, while she mentally kept going over the list of everything that could go wrong in her mind tonight.
If Hadden didn't already want to strangle her, he would tonight when he discovered her plans.
Serena heard the knock on the door and answered it, pulling her robe tightly around her.
Perhaps Alice needed help with the door, given she would be carrying a lot of items, but Serena didn't expect her back quite so soon.
"Hadden, is it your brother? Is he alright?" Serena asked, not expecting to see him so soon.
"Yes, he's still resting comfortably. Dr. Blake has done an excellent job with his care," Hadden told her. "I wanted to check on you to make sure you were alright," Hadden said.
"Please, come in," Serena moved to let him into the room. She took a glance into the hallway, wondering how long before Alice came back with the clothing she requested, before closing the door behind him.
"I'm fine, thank you," Serena said, moving to stand in front of him. She didn't know precisely how to act with him. It seemed to be a continuing pattern. Him asking her if she was alright, and Serena not knowing how to respond.
He was her husband, in name only, but with each passing, each meeting, Serena could feel the attraction growing stronger and stronger, and by the way Hadden kissed, she knew he felt it too.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Serena asked.
Hadden's eyes fell on the large bed that took up most of the room. There's one something, he thought. If only.
He needed to refocus as tonight's tasks would require a clear mind. Free from distractions. Free from the memories of a naked soaking wet Serena.
"I'll be gone for the evening, as I have some business I must attend to. If you need anything, let Piterson know, and he will be able to locate me."
"Thank you for letting me know," Serena told him, as he exited her room.
Little did he know, she would be joining him tonight.
Shortly after Hadden left, Alice returned with the requested items and helped her change. Looking at herself in the mirror, Serena couldn’t help but laugh.
Aside from the round of her breast, she did look like a small boy in stature. The hat completed the look, with Alice tucking her hair into a tight bun on top of her head.
She would use the cloak to conceal what couldn’t be concealed with the clothing, hoping not to get too close for anyone to find out otherwise.
When she was ready, she followed Alice out into the hallway, taking a shortcut to the servant’s quarters. Alice knew that no one would be awaken and it would be safe for Serena to slip out this way.
She gave her a mistress a hug and a quick wave, while she watched Serena stand still, waiting for the duke to make his way outside.
Serena stood for what felt like an eternity before Hadden emerged, taking two of the stairs at a time to the carriage awaiting him.
This was her chance!
She darted quickly from her hiding spot, moving to get herself onto the back of the carriage as moved forward.
There was no turning back now.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The carriage stopped a few minutes after departing, pulling onto a deserted street.
"We're here, Your Grace," the footman said, opening the door for Hadden to exit.
Serena listened for Hadden's voice. She saw a tree behind her and eased herself off the carriage to hide.
As quickly as she moved, the carriage lurched forward, and she could see Hadden walking on the street alone.
She had to follow him.
Serena moved as quietly as she could, keeping her pace back behind him. She watched as Hadden turned down a side street and was immediately out of her view.
Where did he go, she wondered, quickening her pace to try and find him.
Serena turned down onto the same street Hadden disappear on. There was no sign of him. He had to be here somewhere. Serena started forward, determined to find him.
"What the hell are you doing?" Hadden's hands closed tighter around Serena's wrist as he spun her around to face him.
His eyes grew wide when he realized his trailer was none other than his wife, dressed in boy's clothing.
Keeping her planted in place and unable to escape his terrifying glare, he stepped closer to her. "I could have killed you."
"I was…I was…coming to help you," Serena stammered as she tried to take a step away from him, still unable to move.
"Help me. Help me, how, Serena?" Hadden asked, his voice low and controlled, "You can't even help yourself!"
Serena tried to break free, his grasp growing tighter with each of her movements. "LET ME GO YOUR GRACE OR—"
"Or what?" Hadden laughed, the deep, rich sound filling the still night air. "You'll run away?"
"Why are you acting this way?" Serena fought back the tears. She had only wanted to help him.
He watched as the woman before him struggled to break free, her blue eyes filled with tears. He had mocked her, and in turn, hurt her pride, and damn if she wasn't prideful, but she had to learn. There were dangers in the night that would prey upon her if she had gotten lost.
If he did release h
er, she would try to run away, and this what not the side of London a young lady needed to be found alone in, especially at night. If he held her much longer, he would end up bruising her arms. He had to get her out of here. He did not need her as a distraction tonight, but he needed to make sure she was safe."
"If you had offered to let me come with you, I wouldn't have had to sneak away and follow you," Serena said through clenched teeth.
"Why on Earth would I ask you to come with me?" Hadden laughed. It was the most absurd thing he had ever heard. "Ask my wife to come along to track down an attempted murderer, a man who tried to kill my brother. I guess I was thinking about other things, like keeping her safe!"
Serena tried one more time to pull free.
This time, lifting her booted foot, she kicked at Hadden's leg as hard as she could, her small foot connecting with his shin, causing him to jump back in pain from her assault.
"BLOODY HELL, what was that for?" Hadden hissed, recovering quickly from the kick before Serena was able to free her wrist or mount another attack.
"I did politely ask you to let me go, YOUR GRACE," Serena smiled sweetly at him as he rubbed his leg. "You, however, refused."
"You want me to let you go, is that it?" Hadden said, his green eyes narrowing as he watched her breasts rise with each breath.
"You have no idea what kind of men lurk in the night here, waiting for a chance to taste a sweet little prize like you." He pulled Serena to his chest, offering her no room to move away.
"I shall like to return now—" Serena started, her stomach burning.
"Too late for that, my sweet Rena, but by God, you will learn tonight the dangers of the games you play and the consequences that come with them!" Hadden's lips crushed hers, swallowing her protests with his.
Before Serena realized what was happening, she found herself being picked up and carried to Hadden's carriage. Once he reached it, he tossed her in, his large frame filling the space with her.
"I said I would like to go back NOW!" Serena pushed herself up onto the seat closest to her, watching as Hadden pulled his jacket off. "You really should put your coat back on Your Grace, we shall be at your house soon, I suspect, and it will not look appropriate for you to be held undressed.
"Hadden," he corrected her again, "and you are my wife, and I can dress with you however I like. We are not going back to my house, not yet."
Hadden watched as realization set in across Serena's face, finally understanding the predicament she'd placed herself in.
"Come here."
"No, are you insane?" Serena asked, pushing herself back up against the seat, placing as much distance between herself and the man who now stared at her as if he could see her body with no clothing. She had nowhere to escape.
The carriage continued to bounce forward. Serena found herself putting her arms out to brace herself from pitching forward onto the floor and closer to Hadden.
"Are you?" Hadden asked, grinning back at her and raising one shoulder and letting fall. "You did, after all, follow me in the middle of the night, outside, unaccompanied, alone, and after being told not to. Should I go on?"
"Stop looking at me like that," Serena said, shifting her body away from his gaze, "I was trying to help you find—"
"I like looking at you, and I don't need your help." With lightning speed, Hadden closed the small distance in the carriage, and Serena found herself draped across his lap, locked between his powerful thighs.
Serena's heart stilled. She was frozen in place, no chance of escape. The heat radiating from Hadden made her dizzy, and her thoughts were foggy.
Hadden could feel Serena's body stiffen as she awaited what would happen next. She was trapped, and he had the upper hand. He meant only to teach her of the dangers she placed herself in tonight, but somehow, he found himself unable to let her go at this moment.
His hand cradled the back of her neck, and he pushed her head forward. Serena gave no resistance. His lips touched hers softly, much different than any of the other kisses they had shared. His lips trailed across her check, up to her ear, his tongue sending shocks of heat across her body.
His lips trailed down her neck, nuzzling the soft spot on her neck wanted. Serena let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head to her, her lips finding his. Her lips parted, drawing his tongue in to chase hers—her fingers gripping his neck tighter.
A slow ache was building between her thighs, and Serena tried to shift to get closer to Hadden. His fingers moved slowly, feeling her full breasts, her nipples peeking up through the soft cloth shirt. Hadden slid the material down, exposing the soft flesh. His mouth claimed the soft mound, his tongue flickering over her peach bud, shocks of pleasure pulsed through Serena's body.
"Hadden," Serena said, arching her back.
"Yes, my sweet," He said, placing kissed along her chest as his fingers moved to her nipples.
"It feels so…nice," Serena sighed, lifting her chest closer to Hidden.
"I know," he whispered, his fingers moved to lift the fabric of her soft dress, his hands trailing up her legs. He searched for her wetness, finding it and using his thumb to stroke the outside.
Serena arched her back, trying to get closer to him.
"Yes!" She moaned, spreading her thighs further apart. Hadden had to concentrate, his hardness begging for release. Pushing her curls apart, his fingers found her wetness and stroked the soft mound.
Serena felt as if she was going to explode, streaks of pleasure shooting through her body. She moved rhythmically on his fingers, the ache growing stronger and spreading throughout her body.
Her nails dug into his arm, and Hadden's lips crushed hers again, swallowing her cries of pleasure as waves of pleasure coursed through her body, his fingers damp with her wetness.
Hadden stroked her hair, her limp body sprawled out over him, her breathing ragged. He had crossed a line with her that he could not undo now. He could not afford to have her as a distraction right now, but she felt so right to him, so natural.
Serena's response to him meant she felt the same way, and yet as much as he did not want to grow close to her...he needed her.
But it was not worth risking her life. They would use her against him.
He would have to push her away for good, or else the next time they ended up together, he would end up making love to her for sure.
He knew only one way to accomplish this.
"There's something you must know," Hadden said, lifting Serena off of his lap and moving away from her.
Serena felt the change in him.
"Serena?" She heard Hadden call her name, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him just yet. What did he need to tell her?
"Yes?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"I think it is time I explained what happened and why our engagement ended." Serena's eyes flew to his face, his features hardened and lifeless, much different than the man she had been with just moments before.
"There is no need, I understand," Serena said, shaking her head. Her curls had worked themselves completely loose and fell around her shoulders. Her lips were swollen from his, and her breathing was returning to normal.
"No, please allow me to finish. I had been ordered to wed a week before your coming out. I was at your ball in search of a wife," Hadden said.
Serena felt if she was going to faint. This didn't make any sense. He was a duke and didn't have to answer to anyone, except…the Crown.
Serena's hand flew to her throat.
"Stop, please," she said, her voice close to cracking. Why was he telling her this…now?
"YOU WERE FORCED TO ASK FOR ME?" Serena could feel the tears stinging her eyes, and she fought them back. She would not let him see her cry again!
"And my papa?" Serena asked, wondering how her papa could have been so easily deceived.
"Your father knew and was also ordered to give your hand to me when he found out I had chosen you," Hadden said. "It's not as if we can turn down d
emands of The Crown, Serena, surely you understand this!"
"Understand this?" Serena had to get out of the carriage. "This ruined my life and my papa! How dare you bring him into this!" This time, the tears did fall. She was a pawn, a piece to manipulate.
"Please explain why you are telling this to me," Serena demanded. She had a right to know. "You ended our engagement, YOUR GRACE," Serena scoffed, spitting disdain for anything else he might have to say.
"That is where you are wrong, Rena," Hadden said the words so quietly that Serena could hardly hear him.
"YES, YOU DID," she countered, "you showed up and demanded to see my papa and ENDED OUR ENGAGEMENT! With no thought to how it would affect me! You and your selfishness!"
Hadden shifted uncomfortably in the seat, not wanting to tell her the last part of what he needed to, but knew he had to.
"I did not end our engagement; your papa did." Hadden knew he had stunned her with those words, but it was too late to take them back now.
"You are lying, my papa would never hurt me or put me in a position to be ridiculed by others," Serena said, thinking of her papa, who had loved her, doted on her, and given her anything she had ever wanted.
"Your papa thought it would be too dangerous to have you connected to me, even though I would have been able to protect you," Hadden said, bitterness coming through the words. "My work is too dangerous and can put the people in my life in peril. Look at my brother."
"Your father is a powerful marquess. You seemed to be the most logical choice, and after I met you, I found myself wanting to be closer to you."
"Closer to me?" Serena had not meant to raise her voice as loud as she did, watching Hadden wince at her tone. "And now you are blaming my papa for ALL OF THIS?" Serena said calmly, taking in every word Hadden told her.
"I received a letter from a group that I had been tracking informing me that you would be murdered if I ended up marrying you." Hadden took a deep breath to finish telling her the story.
"Your papa became aware of this and sent for me and told me that he was ending our engagement for your safety," Hadden said, "I knew he was right, that it would be my fault if something happened to you."
