Percy let out a small giggle and clapped.
Feeling agitated, Dominic stood up suddenly. “I believe you two will have more fun without me.”
His wife frowned. “Absolutely not! Stay! There is plenty of food for all of us.”
“I am afraid I cannot. I have spent too long away from my studies as it is.”
Percy’s face fell, and he tried to ignore it, hating that he was disappointing his son. But it was all the more reason for him to leave. He would only spoil the fun.
“Enjoy the picnic,” he said softly before turning to go back to the manor.
Twenty-One
Dominic sat with Austin in the Velvet Duke’s library. It was mid-afternoon, the day after Percy started to speak. Both of them had whiskey glasses in their hands, but neither of them paid much attention to them. Both of them were too busy with the conversation.
“I came home to find Selina moving out of the duchess’s suite, into the room at the end of the hall,” Dominic was telling his friend. “She changed the duchess suite back to how it looked when Eugenia was alive.” He took a sip of his whiskey before continuing the story. “Naturally, I was angry with her, especially when I saw the railings off the balcony.”
Austin winced at the mention of the railings. After all, he was one of the few people who knew all of the details about what happened that dreadful day. “That must have been a shock to you.”
“Indeed,” Dominic said. “But I am happy she did it because Percy came into the room, pointed at Eugenia’s portrait, and said, ‘Mama.’”
Austin gasped. “He truly spoke?”
Dominic nodded, tears stinging his eyes for a moment at the memory. “He spoke words. I heard his voice.”
“That is incredible,” Austin said, grinning. “Truly. I’m so glad for it.”
“I am too,” he admitted. He took a small sip of his whiskey. “I owe all of it to my wife.”
“I knew it was a good thing for you to marry her.”
Dominic nodded. “Honestly, as hesitant as I was about this marriage at first, Selina’s presence in the manor has been wonderful. She has brought warmth and light into the place. She’s not afraid of me, nor does she hate me, and she loves Percy.” He smiled. “It is truly wonderful, and very much different from my first marriage.”
“Good,” Austin said. “You deserve to be happy.”
Dominic grunted. “I drove my first wife to death and spent a year being the most unpleasant person in all of London.”
“I admit you have been a bit of a stick in the mud,” Austin said. “Although I would not say you are themostunpleasant person in London, not when Lady Gillray and her ilk reside so close to us.” He raised his eyebrows. “And you certainly did not drive Eugenia to her death.”
Dominic shook his head. “I am not so sure about that. I keep thinking about that day. Perhaps if I had handled things differently… although I suppose there is no use thinking about it now.”
“What matters now is that you are married to a wonderful woman who helped Percy find his voice.”
“Yes. I shall be eternally grateful for that,” he said. “She is so kind, and so beautiful.” He sighed. “The only downside is that she is wonderfully distracting. Every day, I want her more.”
“Then you should claim her before another man does,” Austin said, taking a sip of his whiskey. “I know firsthand how wives can take lovers when their husbands neglect them.” He smirked.
Dominic rolled his eyes. “Yes, it is a well-established fact that you are a rake. But I am not convinced Selina wants me that way. I do not wish to ask.”
“Why not? She is your wife, after all.”
“Why do you refrain from seducing the servants in your employ?” Dominic countered.
Austin scowled. “I do not seduce them because I do not want any of them to feel obligated to say yes to me. But Selina is your wife, not your maid.”
“But she still might feel obligated, as my wife. I do not want that. Besides, if I pursue a romantic relationship with her, then I could end up ruining the peace and happiness that has only recently entered the household. I will not subject Percy to parents who cannot stand each other. Not again.”
“Why can you not let yourself be happy?” Austin looked exasperated.
