A victory. A small one, but a hopeful one. Triumph was close. Verity licked her lips. She noticed the way his gaze shifted, catching the movement. He was delayed meeting her eyes again.
“Your actions don’t match your words, Dominic,” she murmured in a low tone. “You feel something for me. Don’t you? So what happened?”
“I… You…” He tried to look away but every time he did, his gaze still returned to meet hers.
She listened to the pounding of her heart as she watched Dominic turn away to start pacing the room. A short breath escaped her. She knew it. She knew something was happening. For all her brother refused to talk to her and her husband refused to acknowledge her, and the rest of the Ton was pretending to know things, she finally knew she was right about something.
“It’s better this way.”
A moment was needed to match his words to their conversation. But it still made little sense. “I beg your pardon?”
“It was an arrangement. You knew this. Our marriage was simply meant to be an arrangement,” Dominic repeated himself. He paused, stilling, to stare at her. Those dark eyes sucked her right in. “How are you everything you’re not supposed to be?”
Her arms dropped to her side. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re everything and more. You’re distracting and loud and clever.” Dominic strode over to her, barely blinking. His scent overwhelmed her once he stood toe to toe with her. “You’re much too clever for your own good. Did you know that?”
“I have been told that once or twice,” she admitted, surprised at how breathless she sounded. Inhaling air, she gulped. “What else?”
“What else is there?” He ran a hand through his hair in agitation. “The whole blasted world, I suppose. It all makes sense out there. But in here, you drive me mad, Verity. You would have me flay myself open just to satisfy your curiosity.”
Her lips opened and closed.
As Verity stared back at him, she realized what he meant. That she had him now. That he was weakening and almost ready to tell her his secrets. Whatever they might be, she was breaking through to him. A thrill surged through her even as she realized the depth of his gaze.
There was a bitterness within Dominic that shined dully before her. It felt like he was hoping she wouldn’t ask. That she wouldn’t do anything.
Could she?
I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to understand what is going on. I want to know why my brother changed. Why my husband won’t talk to me. Why my latest piece has everyone in such a tizzy. What does everyone know that I don’t? Why don’t I get to have my own answers?
“Everything is as it should be,” Dominic murmured so softly she had to strain to hear his words. “Would you wish to change it, no matter the consequences?”
Verity swallowed with trepidation as she considered the question. The consequences. The distance between herself and her husband. They were close to touching and yet so far from each other. What would happen if she brought them together? What would she do if she walked out now, with nothing?
Braving her fears, she gave a slow nod, knowing this was bound to change everything. Not just for her. But for them. “Yes. I do.”
CHAPTER 29
Dominic let a shudder rip through his soul as Verity gave him the answer he knew she would give. Of course she would want it. The truth. The secrets.
His wife craved knowledge. Who could fault her for that? Especially when it came to her family.
He saw how much she cared for them. Even Cassian, the coward, who had yet to tell her anything. Dominic would surely have to make good on his threat now. If her brother would not admit to his story, then he would have to give it up.
It just needs to be over. We are playing childish games with real consequences and I will not be party to this madness. It is the only way I can protect Verity. By making myself vulnerable.
But not yet. Dominic forced that particular secret to the back.
“There is so much…” He exhaled. “You complain about distance and I tell you it is necessary.”
“Why?” Verity demanded immediately.
He was tempted to laugh as well as throttle her for her impatience. Forcing himself to move back a step when his gaze yet again lingered on those pouting lips, he cleared his throat and then spoke.
“You may be ready for the consequences, but I am not. I will not lead the life that my father did. I have spent… every day of my life determined not to be like him.”
Verity tilted her head. “He wasn’t a good man. I know this. He was harsh, wasn’t he?”
