“I am aware of the law,” he reassured her, the deep groove around his mouth softly into what she thought might almost be a smile. His eyes trailed over her face for a long moment. “You’re worried.”
“Of course I am!”
“About your brother.”
Part of Verity was tempted to strangle him just in the hopes it improved this situation. “Yes!”
“And me?”
“Yes!” The words slipped out before she could help it. Jerking back at the abrupt honesty, Verity scrambled to understand herself. She recalled too well everything she had told Dominic only hours ago: they would be strangers for the rest of their marriage. Worrying over him did not fall within those parameters. And yet… She studied his face, trying to imagine notseeing him as regularly as she had grown used to seeing. “That is, I…”
He had the grace to nod and change the subject, all the while ignoring the flush creeping up her cheeks. “I should return to the conversation at hand. They need my eye witness account, and I’d like to see if we can get this before a judge before it goes to an official trial.”
“Good lord. Could that happen?”
“It is possible, but that will be up to the judge,” Dominic explained. “I will keep you and your family informed.”
A lump formed in her throat as she shook her head. “No. I don’t want them to know. They shouldn’t… they should be able to still picture our uncle as I did before I knew.”
Tilting his head, her husband asked, “You would keep the truth from them?”
“It’s my family,” Verity pointed out to him. “You wouldn’t understand.”
He offered no other reaction. “My apologies, Verity. If your brother doesn’t return this evening, I’ll be certain to send you a missive. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Verity stewed over other parting words but didn’t have a chance. Dominic had turned away. Slipping through the door again, he traded places with the assistant who squeaked out an offer of tea.
“No, thank you. I will… I will be on my way.”
Standing there another moment, Verity moved her balance to her other hip. She crossed her arms as a chill settled around her. Nothing felt right. It was a strange room here, and even her body didn’t feel right any longer. Nothing felt right.
Usually, she preferred to be alone. But she had rarely ever felt alone as she did now.
Verity didn’t know what to do. She glanced at the door where her brother and husband had disappeared into. There was a heavy ache inside her chest as she left the building, knowing there was nothing she could do.
A woman never has enough power here. It is only the gentlemen who can make change in person. At least I have my journal. And now I have my prayers for them that we can have a miracle.
She hastened home, delivering her horse to the groom before walking inside.
There in the parlor were her three siblings. Lucien had taken the two girls to a race. Octavia was acting out a silly story from someaccident she must have seen while there, the other two smiling and nodding along.
“And when he landed in the mud, his eyes grew three sizes!” Octavia laughed as she widened her eyes with her fingers and looked around. She glimpsed Verity. “Oh, Verity! Whatever are you doing here? Did we have plans I forgot about again?”
“No, I was… I was… With…”
Verity slowly walked into the room as she recalled her conversation with Dominic. The way he had looked at her when she told him she wouldn’t tell her family about their uncle. Because it would only hurt them. So, it was best that she protect them, to control the narrative that would…
Control. What am I thinking? Of course I cannot do this. I don’t know what I was thinking. It isn’t right for me to get upset at Dominic only to do the same thing to my family. No, they deserve the truth as well.
She swallowed hard. The lump remained in her throat. But she didn’t let it prevent her from pulling the folded paper out of her pockets. Her intention had been to burn it. Instead, she brought it over to Elowen who stood to accept the letter.
“What is it?” Her soft-spoken sister asked.
“It’s a letter from Cassian.” Verity forced a deep breath and nodded at her. “Please read it aloud for them to hear as well.”
Elowen nodded even as confusion had her furrowing her brow. “Certainly. ‘Dearest family. It has come to my awareness that my actions intended for protecting this family may have caused more harm than I could have ever intended. It is with great regret that I find myself in the position to share a hidden truth that will change your perspective of our family forevermore.’”
