“I do believe that you should never stop writing your…poetry.” Austin hoped that she understood what he meant.
Selina glanced between the two of them but did not ask any questions.
Finally, Deena nodded knowingly. “I will keep writing. Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You’re most welcome.”
The letters began to feel heavy in his pocket; he would have to find the right time to speak to her about them. But he had a duck to save and a little boy’s heart to break.
As the two women disappeared down the corridor. Austin felt the absence of Deena’s presence like a sudden drop in temperature. He did not understand why, and he did not care to delve any deeper into it.
Percy tugged at his sleeve. “Uncle Austin? Are you and Aunt Dee fighting?”
Austin crouched again, meeting the boy’s serious eyes. “Not fighting. Just… figuring things out.”
Percy nodded sagely. “Mama says grown-ups take forever to figure things out.”
“Your mama is very wise.”
They walked back to the pond together, Percy chattering about how Sir Quackers would tell all the other ducks about his grand adventure in a house with carpets and chandeliers.
Austin listened, but his mind was elsewhere.
He kept replaying their argument. The way Deena’s chin had lifted when he accused her of being willing to sacrifice him. The pain in her eyes when he’d said he wasn’t sure he trusted her.
But I am not sure.
And that uncertainty terrified him more than any rumor of illegitimacy.
Because if it came down to it, he was convinced she wouldn’t choose him. And the worst part was that he wasn’t convincedhe would choose her, either. Not if the dukedom hung in the balance.
They reached the pond’s edge. Percy knelt, holding Sir Quackers out towards the water.
“Go on, Sir Quackers,” he whispered. “You can visit anytime.”
The duckling gave one last indignant quack, shook its feathers, and waddled into the reeds without a backward glance.
Percy watched it go, lower lip trembling.
Austin rested his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “He’ll be back.”
Percy looked up, hopeful. “How do you know?”
“Because,” Austin said, and the words felt like a vow he wasn’t sure he could keep, “your Mama was right. The things that matter always find their way home.”
“Even if they’re scared?”
“Especially if they’re scared.”
They stood there a moment longer, watching the ripples spread where the duck had disappeared.
Then Percy slipped his small hand into Austin’s.
“Come on, Uncle Austin. I’d like to see if there are any ices.”
“You’ve been awfully quiet, Deena. Is something on your mind?” Selina asked softly as Deena’s lady’s maid, Elise, pulled on her corset strings.
“I’m fine, Selina.” She replied breathlessly.
