“Not at all. Only considerate.”
Onward, Dominic went from the crowded table, bringing himself over to Verity. “I have brought punch for the two of you as I saw your glasses are empty.”
“Thank you,” said Isabel with a smile. “That was very thoughtful. How was your bowls game?”
“A rather poor attempt stemmed with valiant trials,” he said. “And how does the shade treat you? It is a very warm day here.”
Isabel nodded, sipping her punch. The two of them discussed the weather freely before Verity while she silently recovered from the awkward situation moments ago.
Though she kept waiting for Dominic to bring it up, he didn’t. It was as though nothing had happened. He’d had a few words to say and then carried on. It confused her. Didn’t he do it for a reason?
But he didn’t say a word. He didn’t point it out or ask her if she had noticed and heard him. It was like he didn’t want to talk about it. Did he even know she had been listening? Wasn’t that why he spoke up?
Because if he didn’t… Why did he do it?
For me, the words came to mind. He could have done it for her. A lump formed in her throat as emotion swept over. The pain oflosing her uncle––for all those that laid suspicions on him had never known how kind he could be––still ached. It hadn’t quite been a year. She missed him. He had been wise and helpful and humorous.
And there were people who thought ill of him. And because of him, her family. How it hurt. It was a deep throbbing in her heart. Though she’d attempted to write a piece that removed suspicion about her uncle to dissuade people, no one had believed it. She’d sworn to improve her skills from then on. To make sure people understood and believed what she knew the truth to be.
But right now, it hurt.
“I beg your pardon.” Verity moved back a step. Her heart thumped and she couldn’t bring herself to look at her friend or husband. Setting the glass down, she looked for an escape. “I… I will be back in a moment.”
All she needed was a minute to herself. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Hastening down the nearest lane, leading into a small walled garden where she could be alone, Verity leaned against the wall to catch her breath.
She teared up for her uncle. For Dominic. For the heart that she continued to convince herself was healed, not broken.
Why did he do that? He didn’t have to. Why would he do that for me? He didn’t… He couldn’t know… What did he know about my uncle? Why do I care what he does? Is this him telling me hetrusts me? Can I trust him? There are too many questions… Too much I don’t understand.
CHAPTER 15
“Thank you.”
Dominic turned from staring out the window on the carriage ride home from the party. It was an intentional move since Verity had kept her head down and mouth closed since they took their leave.
It was for the best, since a torrential rainstorm had just begun. Their journey home had slowed to a crawl. He could hardly see anything through the small round glass.
Her gaze met his for only a moment before turning to look down at her hands.
All he could think about was the way she had looked, pale and shivering and vulnerable, when the gossip had taken a turn. It had sent a lancing flame through his body. He couldn’t allow her to be unprotected, let alone hurt.
“You have no need to thank me,” he said at last. “The problem with gossip is that it too often is said to spite another party.”
Though she curled her lips downward like she might disagree, she didn’t argue his point. A short sound of frustration slipped through her lips. “They were talking about my uncle. I know it.”
Dominic stiffened, bracing himself. He knew plenty about her uncle. Too much, in fact. A sharp warning slipped through his body as he watched her brush her fingertips across her face before inhaling a deep breath. He began thinking of excuses and lies.
“My uncle was not a perfect man,” Verity said quietly instead. “I know this. No one is perfect. Not everyone liked him and his business, but… He was kind. He was kind and generous to my siblings and me. Especially when we needed it. And losing him… was difficult.”
His hands gripped his knees, glad to be wearing gloves that couldn’t reveal just how white his knuckles might be whilst listening. Though her words were clear and slow, they offered no questions. No accusations.
She doesn’t know anything.
After Dominic let out a long breath of relief, he gave a short nod though she had yet to look back up at him. “It is a difficult thing to lose loved ones. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Thunder stormed overhead. He blinked and remembered more than he cared to.
The second day of October. The Season had been in full swing, and gossip was aplenty. All of it had been easy to ignore until it suddenly wasn’t.
