“I do seem to have inherited some today.”
A chortle escaped Peter. “Blast it, you are right! You and that wit. I have missed you. You know, I should be in London for a spell. Perhaps we’ll have time for the club again, eh? After your honeymoon.”
“Honeymoons are unnecessary.”
“What? Who says that?” Peter followed him as Dominic reached the bottom of the steps. But it was Peter who took the initiative to sit down. It wasn’t proper etiquette by any means for a duke. After ensuring they were alone, Dominic followed.
“I do, as does my new wife.”
The words fell easily off his tongue. Easier than anticipated. He stilled for a moment, savoring the strange sensation. Although he had known the day would come for marriage––he was theonly offspring of a duke, after all––he was still surprised at how it had all come about. And how he felt about it.
This almost feels like it was meant to be.
“Very strange,” Peter was saying. “I can’t imagine what sort of lady wouldn’t like to scamper off to the countryside or around the Continent for a jolly good time with her new husband. It’s not like she’s marrying a weak old fellow by any means. Unless you’re right on money?”
His lips twitched. “What crude topics you bring to light, Peter.”
“As if that’s ever bothered you.”
“Not at all. My solicitor and I agree that my investments are doing well and my tenants are thriving. As for the duchess and I, we like London. The season isn’t over, besides, and her family is all here.”
Nodding thoughtfully, Peter glanced his way. “I suppose I can understand that. Can’t imagine Eve running off anywhere. She used to swear she’d stow away with me, do you recall? But now, all she talks about London this and London that.”
“Many a lady does enjoy the Season,” Dominic said.
The two of them fell quiet for a short spell. While he savored his drink, Dominic considered the views of the garden whereflowers thrived and a small stone wall crowded a corner of roses near a statue of a saint. He couldn’t make out which one it was.
“Will you go back in?” Peter was studying him.
Slowly turning to face him, Dominic said, “In a moment.” He said nothing else but considered the man’s thoughtful expression. “What do you really wish to ask me?”
“There’s that charm of yours,” his old friend noted sardonically before telling him, “Fine. You must know the question. I’m curious about the marriage. Your new wife. If you were to tell anyone the truth, surely it would be me, won’t it? Eve has a dozen conspiracies, even James. Apparently, this union came out of nowhere. You followed the letter of the law without skirting it, but rumors still abound. It was rather sudden, wasn’t it? Were you not courting her beforehand?”
“I hardly knew her,” he admitted. Then he drank the last of the brandy, feeling warm from the inside out.
“Then why…?”
Dominic mused mildly about telling the truth, explaining everything that had happened. What secrets were left to die. Words he never intended to say. Although hearing this question again so soon had him wondering if he and Verity should have fabricated a better story.
There was much for them to discuss in the nearby future. While he had put off having definitive and conscious thoughts about Verity as much as possible, he acknowledged that was going to have to change slightly.
And he was looking forward to it.
“We mutually decided it was a fine match,” Dominic said at last. “The viscount approved of me, and the family is, while lively, respectable and decent. The duchess and I suit.”
Peter nodded along and waited some more but he had nothing else to add. It was explanation enough and complimentary as well.
As my father demanded and my mother grew concerned, I was a lad of few words. It makes sense to remain that way as a duke. Too much weight falls on anything that slips off my tongue. I would rather say little than risk saying the wrong words.
“I suppose it’s only… You never talked about marriage before,” Peter mused. “It’s been years, I know. It just surprised me to hear you were getting married this very day upon my return. It’s unexpected.”
“I was actively engaged in the pursuit of a wife. Slowly but surely. It is time. It was time,” Dominic corrected himself and frowned. This was why he preferred to say little. To make fewer mistakes.
Fortunately, Peter paid it no mind. “A surprise all the same. But good for you, Your Grace. She appears lovely by all standards and I’ve heard not a word against her. If she meets your expectations, then she must be a very fine lady indeed… And yet.... What made you come out here to be on your own on your wedding day?”
They were complimentary words but the way his friend spoke had Dominic concerned Peter thought this was a love match. Yes, Verity was beautiful. Yes, they would make a fine couple. But that was all they meant for this partnership.
“The match was of a certain necessity, as I told you. We suit in character and need for a marriage,” Dominic thought it safe to clarify a little more. “I needed alignment with the Ashbourne family, among other needs, and we found this particular idea of marriage agreeable. The duchess and I are of the same mind and hope to maintain an agreeable partnership in the years to come.”
