“Somer saved me from a chimney pot that was about to fall on my head. I remember the day clearly because my life restarted from that moment.”
“I’m glad you found her.”
Gus looked around, taking in everything he saw. His eyes settled on the fire-damaged boards on the quarterdeck before returning to him.
“Do you care for Dorrie?”
Ash nodded.
“Then tell her.”
“I cannot commit to her, Gus. Not with so much uncertainty still in my life.”
“Tell her, Ash. She deserves that from you. Somer said she has been sad and trying not to show it.”
The thought of Dorrie sad hurt him deep inside.
“Let’s finish this, brother.” He held out a hand, and Gus clasped it.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
Astley’s Circus was a spectacular feast for one’s senses, Dorrie thought as they took their seats above the ring. They had hired private boxes and still it was a squeeze with children on adults’ knees. Very excited children who shrieked at everything they saw.
“Aunt Dorrie,” Luke said from beside her. She was with Somer, Max, and Essie, plus their children. “I think I’d like to ride a horse standing on its back.”
“Would you now? Well, I happen to know a lady who walks in society who does that. I will see if I can get her to teach you.”
“And me,” Claire said from her other side.
Max and Essie’s children were a lot like their parents. Quiet watchers. They were usually the peacemakers among their more fiery cousins too.
“And you, but perhaps ask your parents first.”
“The answer will be no,” Max said. “But you may watch Lady Levermarch as she does it.”
Dorrie winked at the children.
They fired questions at their parents, as both knew Phoebe, Lady Levermarch, and said that surely she was too old to do such a thing. Essie put them right on that.
“’Lo!” The curtain was thrown wide, and in walked Eden carrying Katherine. “She wants Luke.”
The boy sighed and took the little girl in his arms. The duchess kissed his cheek and left.
“If you are to stay in here, you must behave,” he said, sitting with her in his lap.
“I will.” She kissed his cheek.
“I hope Gus and Ash arrive soon. He wanted to see this,” Somer said, leaning over the side of the balcony next to Claire.
Dorrie didn’t want to think about Ash Charlton. Warwick had said they’d talked in James’s office and that he had accepted their help in finding Radcliff. But she knew he did not want a future with her. She told herself that she would survive him leaving but knew her heart would hurt.
Damn this silly connection between their families. Damn him for being shot and her being there to save him! She wouldn’t think about their lovemaking; pain lay there.
“Oooh, that man has a foot on each horse,” Claire said.
Dorrie dragged her mind back to focus on what was happening below.
The ring was huge, and horses were being led into it along with men in military costumes. Around them, the hum of voices only added to the excitement as guests gasped and clapped at what was unfolding.
