Selina and Percy were already walking to the door, no doubt ready to go out and look at the gardens together.
The dowager caught Selina’s hand on the way out. She was smiling, with tears in her eyes. “Welcome to the family,” she said.
Eleven
Dearest sister,
It is my wedding day. I wish you were here. I miss you?—
Dominic shook his head, crumpled up the unfinished letter, and threw it into the fireplace before he began again.
Deena,
Thank you for your letter. I am happy to hear that your studies are going well and that our aunt is treating you well. I hope you are finding time to go outside. I have heard Paris is beautiful this time of year.
I am writing to tell you that I am getting married today, to Lady Selina Davidson. I will let our grandmother tell you the details on how this arrangement came to pass. I hopeLady Selina will be a better mother for Percy.
Please write again when you get the chance. Percy likes it when I read aloud your letters.
Sincerely,
Dominic
The duke folded the letter and put it in the envelope, so it would be ready to mail as soon as the servants were awake. He checked his pocket watch. It was only two in the morning.
He should be trying to get some more sleep, but he was wide awake, unable to stop thinking about Selina and Percy.
Even after watching Selina talk Percy off the ledge, he still wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing.
The night before, he sat Percy down in his study and told him about the wedding.
“I am getting married to Lady Selina,” he had told him. “Do you know what that means?”
His son stared at him blankly.
“It means she will be a part of our family,” Dominic said. “She will live here with us, and she will take care of you. But not like a nanny, no. Instead of leaving after a month or two, she will stay with us for many years until you’re grown. Would you like that?”
Percy didn’t respond. Instead, he turned to look out the study window at the night sky.
Dominic wasn’t sure if his son truly understood.
Now, in the early morning, Dominic watched the clock tick slowly by, counting down to his wedding. He picked up his pen once more and grabbed a fresh piece of paper.
Dear Percy,
I love you and I am proud of you. I always will be. I could not have asked for a better son.
He put the pen down and folded up the note several times, until it was a small square. He would give it to his son in the morning.
Percy couldn’t read yet. But writing notes to him was the only way Dominic could tell him how he felt. He feared he would lose his ability to write heartfelt notes to his son when Percy learned his letters.
After an eternity, the clock struck six. Dominic got up to start his day. When a servant brought in tea, Dominic gave him the note and the letter.
It wasn’t long before his valet arrived to help him dress in his wedding attire. He stayed quiet the entire time.
When it was time to go, his grandmother knocked on his door. She stood on the other side, holding Percy’s hand. His son was in formal attire, and he stared off into space, as if his mind was among the stars.
The dowager smiled at the sight of him. “You look so handsome.”
