Back to You

by Jenna Hart

  "Hadden," Serena whispered, gently nudging her husband.

  "Hm," Hadden said, rousing to his wife's voice. "What's wrong?"

  "I think we're here," Serena said, pointing to the window.

  Hadden leaned up, still tired, and smiled.

  "Yes, finally," Hadden said. "Now, to get you settled and into a proper bed where I intend to keep you." He kissed her lips, pulling her close again.

  The carriage stopped shortly after in front of the large house, where they were greeted by an assemble of staff.

  Serena stared up at the massive creation before her. She had never seen anything like it. Danerly Hall was impressive in its own right and had its air of elegance, but this surpassed anything she could have expected.

  A grey-haired man stepped forward from the staff, bowing to the couple.

  "Your Grace," he said.

  "Bertram," Hadden replied, smiling at the man as he presented Serena.

  "My wife."

  The grey-haired man gave Serena a wide smile. "Your Grace, welcome to Averton Park."

  Serena smiled at the man she guessed was the house's head butler.

  "Bertram has been with my family since I was a babe," Hadden told Serena.

  "Like Hershel with ours," Serena said.

  Hadden nodded.

  "My family's butler. He's also been with our family since I was a babe, Bertram. Perhaps you shall meet him one day." She squeezed Hadden's hand.

  "Thank you, Your Grace, that would be an honor," Bertram said, bowing to her.

  "Your rooms are ready, Your Grace," Bertram continued. "Shall I have your meals sent upstairs?"

  "Yes, please," Hadden called back as he pulled Serena into the house.

  There were still many staff members Serena needed to meet, but she supposed they would have to wait until later. Her husband was determined to get her upstairs and wouldn't slow down for any more introductions.

  Averton Park was as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside.

  Large rugs in shades of creams and blues lined the floors, leaving areas of white marble to shine in uncovered areas. Two massive staircases curved towards the upstairs; their gold railings polished to perfection.

  Pictures of the past Dukes of Averton lined the walls, along with portraits of their wives and children.

  Serena's eyes landed on one portrait in particular. It had to be Hadden's parents. He slowed their pace when he saw her looking at the picture.

  "My parents," he said.

  "And you and Greyson," Serena said, pointing to the two boys in the picture.

  "Yes." Hadden smiled at the memory. His parents had offered him new toys and a new puppy to sit through the painting.

  Once his father had married his mother, he refused to sit for any portraits without her in them. When Hadden was born, he continued the tradition.

  Family had meant everything to his parents.

  After nearly losing both Serena and Greyson, he would never take for granted his family ever again.

  Nothing was more important.

  Hadden reached their rooms, pushing through the tall doors.

  "This is a lovely room," Serena said, walking in behind Hadden. A large four-poster bed stood positioned across from a stone fireplace. The floor was covered with another plush, cream rug that Serena wanted to sink her feet into.

  Her eyes fell on the bed and back to her husband again.

  She could feel the warm pit build in her stomach as she watched Hadden peer off his jacket and toss it into the nearby chair.

  Picking Serena up into his arms, he moved to the bed, setting her down gently to face him on the side of the bed. Pulling her close, his mouth covered hers, claiming what he had wanted all along.

  Her small hands threaded into his hair, pushing him closer as she opened her mouth to meet his tongue.

  She could feel his hands move to her dress, working the buttons open.

  She burned with need and soon moved with him to push her dress down, allowing her full breasts to spill freely.

  "Stand," he ordered, gently pulling her up. Sliding her dress down and off, he sat Serena back, parting her legs, his fingers founding her wetness, rubbing the soft folds. His lips trailed her thighs, nibbling gently at the creamy skin before his lips worked their way onto her warmth.

  His tongue began licking and sucking the soft, pink flesh. Serena's back arched as pleasure coursed through, her fingers twisting into his thick hair.

  "Hadden," Serena cried out as waves passed over her, taking her higher and higher.

  "Yes, my love," Hadden whispered, "I'm here with you."

  His mouth moved to her stomach trailing kisses until he reached her nipples, circling the soft mounds with his tongue, his hardness pressed against her belly.

  Opening her legs wider, she moved her hips against him.

  "Serena," his voice ragged, "I need you."

  His lips claimed hers as he slid the tip into the opening of her wetness. He could feel Serena tense up when she realized what was about to happen.

  Deepening the kiss, he pushed into her tightness, nearly spilling his seed into her, stilling his body until Serena was ready for him to move.

  "The pain will ease my love."

  Serena hoped he was right, and as she was closing to doubting it would end, the burning turned to an ache, a need she wanted to be filled.

  Rocking her hips gently against him, Serena's nails trailed his back, and she pulled him to her, her mouth taking the loud.

  She heard his quickening breath and felt him push deeper, harder, and faster into her, driving both of their needs close to the edge. His fingers moved to her wetness and rubbing gently as he continued to thrust into her.

  Serena felt the warmth build, and her body spasmed, waves of ecstasy closing around her. She heard Hadden cry out her name and felt him shudder, before collapsing onto her, his breathing ragged.

  She brushed a wet lock of hair off of his forehead, kissing him gently. He rolled off of her, pulling her with him.

  Exhausted, Serena closed her eyes, taking in the bliss that surrounded them.

  "I love you," Hadden said, his voice soft, "I always have."

  Smiling, she pulled his arms tighter around her. "So have I."

  "Serena!"

  "Hmm?" She asked, fighting the sleepy warmth taking over her relaxed body.

  "You were right about one thing," Hadden said.

  Serena could feel his chest rise with laughter he tried to contain. “What’s that?" Serena asked, confused.

  "Even though it was a little late, our wedding night was anything but boring."

  Laughter burst from Hadden's chest at Serena's outrage.

  He gave her one more kiss before falling into the most restful slumber he had in years, knowing when he awoke, he would have Serena with him for the rest of their lives.

  "I demand to see my daughter!"

  Serena could hear the loud voices carrying up the stairs, cutting into her sleep. Maybe she was dreaming, but the voice sounded an awful lot like her mother's. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Blinking a few times, she tried to orient herself to the room again.

  She felt her husband beside her, still sleeping, and there was still a bit of daylight trickling in. They must have been asleep for a good six hours.

  Serena heard the voice again.

  "I am the Marchioness of Danerly, and I demand to see my daughter!"

  She could also hear Bertram trying to explain that both the duke and duchess were resting.

  Hadden let out a groan, followed by a sigh.

  Serena watched him get up and start dressing. She followed suit behind him and made her way down to where her mother now stood, ready to do battle with the poor butler.

  "Lady Danerly," Hadden called out as he headed down the stairs. "Is everything alright?"

  "Serena darling. Oh, I was so worried," Judith ran to her daughter, hugging her tightly. "Thank goodness you're alright."

  "Yes, I'm quite alright,"
Serena told her, trying to reassure her.

  "When I heard you were coming here, I needed to see you with my own eyes, to make sure you…you…really were safe, darling." Judith wiped the tears away and cupped her daughter's face in her hands.

  "No need to worry anymore," Serena told her. "I am sorry we couldn't tell you ourselves that we were coming here, but Hadden wanted to get me away as quickly as he could."

  "I understand," Judith said, dabbing a cloth at her nose. "The Marquess of Ryden informed us that you were safe, but I had to make sure. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."

  Seeing her daughter safe and sound allowed Judith to relax a bit, and she gave a soft chuckle.

  "Very amusing gentleman, he is, Lord Ryden," Judith told Hadden.

  "Your Grace, a word with you, if I may," Judith asked, hoping to allow both Serena and her husband the chance to see that she genuinely forgave Hadden for everything that had transpired between them from start to finish.

  "I did blame you, at first," Judith admitted to Hadden. "I watched as my daughter suffered, bearing the fault on her own. I had no idea you done what you did to protect her."

  "Lady Danerly-" Hadden started.

  Judith interrupted him. "Please, call me Judith. We are family, after all."

  Hadden smiled at the woman. If Serena were to be anything like her when she aged, he would still be just as lucky as he was now.

  "Edward explained everything to me and everything you have done to protect Serena. I'm sorry for doubting your character and intentions. I can see my daughter is clearly in love with you, and you are a good man and will make a good father and husband…you are much like your father."

  "You knew my father?" Hadden asked, curious that neither Edward nor Judith had mentioned this before.

  "I did. Your mother, as well. Lovely, kind woman. I wish your parents had been able to see the fine man you have grown into. I can say for certain they would be very proud of you," Judith said, kissing Hadden on the cheek. "As are we."

  For whatever reason, the fact that her mother went out of her way to make Hadden know she had no ill feelings towards him, and she now considered him her family made Serena's heart feel at peace.

  "Now, if you'll both excuse me, I must locate your father. He seems to have gotten turned around. I do apologize again for our intrusion," she continued.

  "I also must find your butler, as I owe him an apology as well. I do believe I may have possibly threatened to shoot him."

  The sound of both Hadden and Serena's laughter filled the grand foyer as the happy couple ascended the stairs to retire to their bed.

  EPILOGUE

  Averton Park, Cumbria

  4 Months Later

  The crisp autumn air blew through the trees that nestled Averton Park, causing the first flutter of gold and red leaves to cross over the massive grounds-a welcome sign the home of the Duke and Duchess of Averton would soon fill with guests for the first little season event.

  Averton Park would host its first-weekend house party in over a decade, much to the delight of the staff. They had grown to love Serena as much as their duke did.

  Knowing how much Hadden loved his childhood home, Serena wanted to preserve as much of his childhood traditions and memories as she could.

  He shared with her about all the memories he had with his parents here, the hunts, the house parties, the autumn gatherings.

  After all, Averton Park would belong to their children. Serena wanted them to have as many beautiful memories with their parents as she and Hadden had with theirs.

  Serena touched her gently rounded stomach, feeling the life growing there.

  Their first child would be born in the coming months. As soon as she told Hadden, he refused to allow her to do anything he thought might put stress on her, often wanting her to rest more than she needed, and he never left her.

  Looking for her husband, she spotted him, standing with Devlin and Lennox and Greyson. Having entirely recovered from his injury, he would now join in with the others in their quest.

  The four men stood in deep conversation about the upcoming plans that had been laid forth to continue with their task of bringing to justice Lord Wooldridge’s murderers.

  The two marquesses would remain with them for a few more days before departing for America. Greyson would travel back to London to search for the man Charlotte worked with.

  Word had spread that Charlotte arrived in Charleston, accompanied by an older English gentleman and had set up house there, thinking to be safe from the troubles of England, and they did not want to lose any time.

  They would now take on the lead task of chasing her, as Hadden refused to leave Serena’s side.

  While there, they would also be retrieving Lord Mauldin’s newly orphaned niece and nephew from Charleston and returning them to England.

  Lord Mauldin was unable to make the voyage due to his pressing health concerns restricting travel at the insistence of Dr. Blake.

  Serena peered around the room one last time, allowing the waves of happiness to wash over her, before sinking into the plush settee. Months ago, she had accepted her fate of becoming a spinster.

  Now, she was happily married and expecting their first child.

  Smiling, Serena sighed, her eyes closing.

  “A shilling for your thoughts, my love?” Hadden whispered into Serena’s ear from behind, before moving to sit beside her.

  “Only a shilling? Serena laughed softly. She patted the empty spot beside her for her husband to sit with her. “I was thinking how lucky I am.”

  “How lucky you are?” Hadden asked, studying his wife’s face, her blue eyes shining with tears. He brushed away a few stray tears, raising a dark brow when she let another laugh.

  “Yes,” Serena said, smiling through. “Our path’s crossed and uncrossed and recrossed again. Quite the journey, darling. I’m so thankful I found you at the end of mine, no matter how bumpy it was.”

  “As am I, my love. Mine lead me back to where I was supposed to be all along.”

  Kissing Serena’s forehead, Hadden whispered, “it led me back to you.”

  COPYRIGHT

  COPYRIGHT

  BACK TO YOU

  Copyright © 2020 Jenna Hart

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations and critical reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, locations, and events are ideas from the author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons (living or deceased), locations or events, are entirely coincidental.

  For inquiries, please contact the author at the email address:

  Jennahartbooks@gmail.com

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  Hi!

  Thank you so much for reading, Back to You. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it and getting to know the characters in this series!

  Please feel free to reach out to me with any thoughts or comments! I would love to hear from you!

  You can reach me via email: jennahartbooks@gmail.com

  Twitter: @Jennahart_Books

  Website: www.JennaHartRomance.com (Update in progress)

  Looking forward to the next adventure!

  Much love,

  Jenna