“You finally decided to return to London,” Dominic said with a cocky smile.
“Not without Grandmother’s motivation.” Deena and Dominic laughed and her heart felt lighter in his presence.
When Dominic and his wife began trying to convince her to return to London, Deena receded into a shell and cut them off.
“Thank God for the dowager!” Just as she thought about Selina, she sauntered into the room, cradling little Mary who immediately stretched out her pudgy arms towards Deena.
She remembers me.
“Oh! It really is so good to see you all again!” Deena felt her eyes burn with tears.
She reluctantly set Percy down, who ran to his father and immediately took Mary, nuzzling her niece’s soft cheek. The toddler giggled in her arms. She smelled of milk and lavender, her dark curls tickling Deena’s nose, and she looked as healthy as ever.
She is growing up too fast, and I am missing it.
“How are you, sweetling?” She cooed.
“I’m good,” she replied in a small, sweet voice that made Deena’s heart clench.
Dominic enveloped Deena and Mary in a hug, causing the child to kick and giggle again. “It’s good to see you, Dee.”
“It’s good to see you too, Dom,” she gasped as the hug got tighter and the weight of Mary grew heavier in her arms, but she clung stalwartly, inhaling Dominic’s familiar scent of cedar and…fresh hay? “Dom, have you been in the stables a lot or have you become a farmer?”
He released her, holding her at arm’s length with a rare grin plastered on his face.
“Little Percy is learning how to ride, and I wanted to teach him personally,” he said proudly.
Deena was in awe of the man he was becoming. Selina nudged her husband aside and hugged her next, it was a warm, and genuine hug that she truly needed.
“We’re so glad you’re home. Mary and Percy need their Aunt Dee.”
Mary patted Deena’s freckled cheek, and Deena bounced her gently. “I’ll always be here for my babies.”
“How was Paris the last couple of months, Dee?” Dominic asked, and Deena noticed the guilt in his voice.
“It was great,” she lied.
“And how is your friend? Lady Pamela, if I’m not mistaken?” Selina asked apologetically.
“Her name is Lady Penelope.” A sense of dread washed over her. Deena choked on her words, cleared her throat, and smiled. “And she’s…doing quite well. Thank you, Selina.”
“Ah, yes, she is the daughter of the Marquess of Ravenshire?” Dominic asked as Percy ran circles around him.
“Yes, she is.” Deena’s mouth felt suddenly dry.
“Isn’t she unmarried as well? She should’ve joined you in this season’s Hunt!” Selina said brightly.
“She would have loved to join us, but she has…responsibilities to see to in Paris.” It was not a lie, but it was not truthful either.
When Deena moved to Paris, she was prepared to be alone and had no intention of making friends. That was until Penelope bumped into her at a local cathedral. Penelope stayed at a nearby convent with the nosiest nuns and Deena was not too far from her. The girls bonded quickly over their shared loneliness and exile. So much so that even their battles became one. Percy tugged Deena’s skirt and pulled her from her thoughts. “Did anyone tease you? Grandmama said some lady’s whisper. I’ll punch ‘em!”
Deena ruffled his hair. “No one’s teasing, brave knight. Everyone’s been kind.”
But her brother’s gaze sharpened. Dom always knew when she was lying.
“Truthfully? If anyone’s given you grief, just say the word, and I’ll set them straight.” Dominic raised a brow at her, and Percy mimicked him.
“No, truly.” Guilt twisted in her gut. The whispers at breakfast and Lady Ann’s comments paled beside the secrets she carried. She blinked, refocusing on Dominic’s concerned face. “I’m fine. I promise.”
