“I… I could die. Or she could,” Dominic replied.Would it be worse to face the world without her? To be so destroyed like my mother was? What if we had children? Could I put them through that?
“So could any of us. None of us knows what tomorrow will likely bring, so we might as well seize the day,” his grandmother said.
“I do not know what to do,” Dominic murmured.
“Well, what do youwantto do?” the Dowager Duchess asked, her gaze holding his.
“I would like to make Charlotte my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. To love her and grow old with her,” Dominic said, feeling conviction growing within his chest.
“Then you know what you have to do.” His grandmother released his hand, looking like a cat who had gotten into the cream.
“I do.” Dominic nodded.I need to get to London.“I assume this means I have forfeited my place in the games?”
“Not at all, dear boy. You certainly will not be the grand prize winner, but I doubt you will leave completely empty handed. After all, you know how I value honesty.” The Dowager Duchess pursed her lips thoughtfully, a playful glint in her eyes. “Perhaps you will have better luck at the next games.”
“The next games?” Dominic canted his head towards her.
“Oh yes. I have decided to make this an annual affair,” his grandmother said nonchalantly as though she were discussing nothing more important than the weather.
“Then you are not dying?” Dominic asked.
“Of course not! At least not yet anyway,” the Dowager Duchess laughed.
“So what on Earth was this entire thing for?” He gestured around them, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
“My own amusement, mostly, and of course, love.” Her eyes sparkled with delight.
“So, youwereplaying the matchmaker!” he exclaimed.Thomas was right.
His cousin had seen through her plot and left, and here Dominic was thinking he had pulled the wool over her eyes when in fact the reverse was true.I do not know whether to laugh or shout.Relief that his grandmother was not dying fought with frustration and amusement at her meddling ways.
“Of course, I was! Which is why I did not want a rake in attendance.” His grandmother gave him a pointed look, but he could see the amusement and affection in her face.
“I think you will find, Grandmama, that I am a reformed rake.” He winked at her and swept into a bow.
“Good. Now get out of my sight.” She gestured towards the door, grinning broadly.
“Of course, Grandmama.” Dominic smiled at his grandmother and then added, “If you are giving out prizes, perhaps you might consider giving one to Lady Andrea?”
“Lady Andrea? And why do you care what happens to that young woman?” His grandmother seemed genuinely puzzled.
“Because she has done me a good turn, and she deserves the same,” Dominic said simply. “Besides, I am quite sure she must have been quite high up in terms of points.”
“In truth, I’ve no idea. I shall have to ask Whitby or Whitson for the scores. I have not been keeping them myself.” The Dowager Duchess laughed softly. “But I shall think on what you have said and will consider it.”
“Thank you.” Dominic turned away from his grandmother, but as he did so, a thought occurred to him. “Actually, there is another thing I should ask of you, Grandmama.”
“Another?” His grandmother raised an eyebrow at him.
“Yes.” Dominic nodded, and as he explained what he needed from his grandmother, her smile told him that she would happily grant it.
When they were done speaking, she dismissed him once more, and he made his way as swiftly as he could to the stables. He needed to get to London, but before that, he had one last thing to tidy up.
“Wait for me, Charlotte. I am coming, and I love you,” Dominic whispered, praying that he had not already ruined his chances.
Chapter Thirty-Two
SURPRISES AND HOMECOMINGS
