Chapter Sixteen
They were to leave Merrifield tomorrow morning and return to Traywick Manor.
And Verina had not had the opportunity to ask the duke for another kiss.
Today was Christmas Day, and Reddington, his mother, and Lady Adams were coming to celebrate with them. They would share the holiday meal at mid-day so that the servants might have their own celebration in the servants’ hall later that afternoon.
Verina paced her bedchamber, not ready to go downstairs just yet.
She looked back over the past few weeks and how she had grown to enjoy the duke’s company more and more.
He had an affability about him, a quality which put others around him at ease.
She already knew what a good duke and son he was, as well as the tremendously important work he did.
While she still longed for a more conventional marriage, she had decided that being wed to the Duke of Reddington was something she wanted.
True, he would not always be present, off helping other women, but she believed when he was at home with her, she would have his full attention, as would their children, and that was what was most important.
She knew he wanted children because he, Hugo, and Tray had had a conversation about that very thing only a few days ago.
Tray had arrived and spent a good deal of time with the duke at Redfield.
Reddington had also come to Merrifield to see her brother.
Verina had gone to the library to choose a book to read and found the three men talking there, discussing the fact that Hugo would be a father come this new year.
It wasn’t as if she eavesdropped upon them.
They spoke openly and freely in front of her as she perused the shelves for a book.
What she heard, though, let her know that the duke was cut from the same cloth as the men in her family—whether they were born into it or had married into it—placing a high value on family.
Was that what had finally helped her to make up her mind about him?
Or was it that kiss, the one which she could not seem to forget?
All Verina knew was that her opinion of the duke was high, and her admiration for him seemed to grow daily.
Having never been in love, she did not know if this was love, but she believed the friendship which had sprung up between them would be a strong foundation for a successful marriage.
That is, if he had marriage on his mind.
With her. He never indicated his feelings to her.
Oh, she knew he liked her and was comfortable in her company, but sometimes, he was difficult to figure out.
While the women had talked at tea one day, Verina had listened to a conversation between Hugo and the duke.
Reddington admitted to his friend that it was hard for him to let down his guard around others because he did not know if they liked him for himself or the fact that they enjoyed being in the presence of a duke.
Verina could not relate to that. Yes, her father had been an earl, but she did not think others befriended her because of her social status.
She could see how that would happen in the case of a duke, however.
Not many men held such a prominent title.
She wondered how hard it had been on him, coming into his dukedom at such a tender age, having to go against the world alone.
He had told her it had taken a good while before his mother was more like her old self after he had brought her home from Throckmorton and that he’d had to rely on only himself.
Suddenly, a wave of tenderness for this man overcame her. She wanted to hold him. Talk with him. And yes, even love him.
Leaving her bedchamber, she went to the drawing room, finding Tia and Mama there. It had been so good to have Mama at Merrifield the past few weeks because she had missed her mother terribly. She wondered what it would be like when she permanently left Mama’s household.
Mama had helped Verina in selecting several materials for Madame Laurent to use in making up new gowns for her.
The modiste’s designs had been clever, and Verina knew they would flatter her figure.
Madame had talked of other women in their extended family, ones she had dressed, and Verina knew she was in excellent hands with this modiste.
As she joined them, Tia asked, “Are you all packed for your departure tomorrow?”
“Almost,” she replied. “Sarie has left out a traveling gown for me to wear tomorrow morning, as well as a night rail and my dressing gown for this evening.”
Tia had been unable to find a parlor maid to her liking, so Sarie would remain behind at Merrifield and come to town when the Season began. Mama had praised how Sarie had styled both Justina’s and Verina’s hair, and Verina had assured Mama that Sarie was just as talented at caring for her wardrobe.
Tray joined them, followed by Hugo and Justina, and they talked while they waited for their guests to arrive.
The duchess had told Verina that Lady Adams would remain with her from now on, telling Verina that while they had been friends previously, the experience they had both shared at the madhouse had bonded them for life.
Lady Adams would not be taking a different name, as other damaged doves had.
She would not appear at any ton events during the Season, but she would accompany Her Grace to town.
The duchess had also told Verina that she had always longed for a sister, and that is what Lady Adams had become to her.
The trio arrived and were shown into the drawing room. Tray enthusiastically picked up his conversation with the duke, and Verina couldn’t help but smile, liking the fact that her brother enjoyed Reddington’s company so much.
Then Anthony arrived, and Mama told him how much she had enjoyed his Christmas sermon this morning.
They had attended the service earlier, and Anthony had told them he would come to Merrifield as soon as he had completed his duties for the day.
She liked Hugo’s cousin very much. Anthony was warm and friendly, and she found it hard to believe that he, too, had stammered as a child, the same as Hugo.
While Hugo spoke in a very careful manner, taking frequent pauses, Anthony’s words seem to easily roll from his tongue.
He had confided in her that he still had to practice daily in order to deliver his sermons without stuttering.
Anthony regularly read aloud, sang, and recited poetry.
She knew Hugo also did those very things, as well.
Since the two cousins were from the same family, Verina wondered if any child Tia and Hugo had would suffer from the same impediment. If he or she did, she knew the child would be showered with love and patiently guided in speech.
The butler announced that Christmas lunch was ready to be served, and they made their way to the dining room. The duke, taking her arm, escorted her there. No seats had been assigned, and she was happy when he took the place on her left.
Talk was lively throughout the meal, with Mama, Her Grace, and Lady Adams telling the younger people of Christmases past, when they were children.
Mama even spoke some of the first Christmas when she and Papa had been newlyweds, wiping away a few tears as she did so.
Her mother always spoke of Papa with great fondness, and Verina was aware that amongst the older generation in the family, her parents had been the only love match.
Papa was now gone, as was Uncle Charles and Uncle Arthur. The new generation of men—Val, Con, and her brother—had now taken up their titles and would guide the family in the years to come.
They finished eating their Christmas goose and pudding and Anthony thanked Tia and Hugo for hosting him, saying he needed to return to the vicarage.
He had a few elderly members of his congregation that he wished to call upon this afternoon, ones who had been unable to attend the services, and he wanted to bring them some Christmas cheer.
They bid Anthony goodbye and retired to the library, which was cozier than the drawing room.
Tray said, “I do not know about the rest of you, but I am feeling terribly sluggish. Is anyone up for a brisk walk?”
“I would be happy to join you, Traywick,” the duke said. “While the day is cold, there is no wind to speak of. Anyone else up for the adventure?”
“I am,” Verina said, not wanting to pass up the opportunity to spend time with him. “I will need to don my pelisse, though.”
“We will come, too,” said Tia, taking her husband’s hand and rising.
That left only Justina, and she shrugged. “Oh, all right. I will join you and not nap as these older ones are bound to do.”
They went upstairs and as Verina started down the corridor to meet the others in the foyer, her sister joined her.
“I shall do what I can to see you paired with His Grace,” Justina said.
“What?”
Justina gave her a shrewd look. “Do not tell me you do not have feelings for the duke, Verina. I know you too well. And I have watched His Grace watching you. Not just today—but ever since the two of you first met. I know you have always been all about having your Season, but I think you should open your eyes and see the man right in front of you.”
Shock ran through her. “You truly believe he is interested in me?”
Her sister giggled. “I would say he has the look of a hungry wolf wanting to devour a lovely little lamb every time he gazes upon you.”
Justina left her, hurrying down the stairs. Verina followed at a slower pace. If it were obvious to Justina, was it to the others? Or was it because her sister knew her so well? Either way, she was glad to have it confirmed that the duke did show an interest in her.
She was the last to arrive in the foyer. As she did, Justina slipped her arm through Tray’s.
“Brother, you must tell me everything that has been happening at Traywick Manor and in Kidgrove.”