Around the corner he came. Already he was tall above the crowd, and his beaver hat only made it more transparent. His gaze seemed to wander without focusing until he abruptly caught eyes with her. It was like he had felt her looking, felt her shock.
His eyebrow raised a hair before settling into that polite and congenial expression of his as he took four more steps to stand in front of her.
“Verity, good morning.”
She forced a smile. At least, she thought she did. Her cheeks ached from being pushed into position. “Dominic. Your Grace.” She glanced about the street. “Whatever are you doing here on Paternoster Row?”
“I am picking up a new book. I didn’t expect to see you here myself. A pleasant surprise. What errands do you have here today?” He asked in return, his gaze shifting off her only for a moment to eye Lucy behind her.
What does a lady have to do over here? Especially before half the shops are open?
“I… was attempting to buy some paper myself only to realize the shop didn’t have what I needed.” Verity mustered up the lie with as much gumption that she could find. “We are merely making our way back to Bond Street.”
“Isn’t it in the other direction?”
She hoped he didn’t notice her eye twitching. Most of the time, Verity thought herself very fine at lying. Good at fibbing. Even a fair actor back in her youth when Octavia and Lucien were prone to play acting. But she hadn’t had time to prepare for this. And with panic climbing the back of her throat, she couldn’t focus.
“We’re taking the scenic route,” Verity proclaimed. Then she blurted, “I thought you were at your club.”
“I was there yesterday and shall attend today for another appointment, but I know one of the shops well enough to enter early. Perhaps you would like to join me and see if they might be able to assist you with your errands?”
“No. No, thank you. That’s very kind of you to ask, but I wouldn’t like to disturb your plans.”
He tilted his head, ignoring the brush against them as a woman passed by with a hand-held cart and three children. The worldteemed about them, moving and flowing like the ocean. He stood steady without concern all the while.
Then Dominic said, “It’s not always the safest place for a duchess, this street. Perhaps I should accompany you on your errand.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Lucy and I should be just fine on our own. The street is busy, and that should be safe enough. We have a footman who will join us later to accompany us home.”
“Which one?”
“Erm, Reginald.”
He frowned. “I don’t recognize the name.”
“He’s new.”
It felt a safe enough lie as she was the wife, the duchess, taking over the household management and accounts. He’d handed over his own book just two days ago so she could assess it with the housekeeper’s accounts.
All the same, Dominic’s measured look right into her eyes made her question her resolve. Even her confidence. He had no way of confirming right then how much she spoke the truth. So what did he believe?
Her heart thumped as he finally said softly, “Ah, that would explain it. I know how much you value your writing.”
How could he know?
The words escaped before she could think, the panic clinging to her spine like an anxious child. “What writing? What do you mean?”
“Wouldn’t you use paper to write?”
Immediately she felt the fool. Clutching her reticule tightly, ready to tear it to shreds, she forced up another smile. “Right. Yes, I do. I… I put in an order so I should have some sent to the house soon. That way, I won’t have to come here again.”
“I think that is for the best.” Only then did Dominic look away from her. She didn’t know what he looked for or what he saw. When he turned back to her, a slight smile crossed his face. “I have the carriage at the end of the street. Why don’t you join me at the bookstore?”
Her mouth opened in surprise before she closed it. “Oh, I don’t know…”
“I should like your opinion on the book. You enjoy writing letters, do you not? Do you enjoy reading as well?”
“Very much so,” Verity admitted automatically. She glanced back at Lucy who simply stared back with wide blank eyes. Whowas her maid to decide what would happen now? Swallowing, Verity pushed her panic down. Already she’d made her morning appointment. The work was done. Now, she simply had to get away from here.
