Chapter 12
Twelve
Dominic tried to go to his study to handle estate matters that he had put off since before the Duke Hunt, but it was difficult not to think of his new wife. She had a way of infecting his thoughts, of making him wish to visit her in her room now, and claim her the way he wanted to.
She was so sweet and delicate in some ways, and so strong in others. He was envious of the natural way she interacted with Percy and how she seemed to understand things about him. But Dominic also admired her natural way with him.
She had been through so much. That was obvious to him and probably anyone else. But it had simply filled her with strength. Somehow, she managed to remain kind and gentle despite the hardships life had dealt her.
He remembered how he lashed out at her during the Duke Hunt, saying how she would never survive in such a cruel world. Shame filled him at the thought. How wrong he was.
But his concern for Percy overshadowed his desire, and how it would affect him to have a new mother suddenly.
Will Percy get attached only to lose her, too?
At least she would not meet Eugenia’s fate, no matter how unhappy she became. He ensured she did not move into the duchess suite until after the railings were installed. He would not drive another woman to her death. He made sure of that.
When it came time for dinner, Dominic was tempted to take it to his room and avoid his new wife altogether. He had plenty of work to do, and it would give her and Percy time alone together. His presence would only spoil everything.
But a sharp knock on the door put those thoughts to rest.
“Enter,” he called without getting up from the desk in his study.
The door opened, and his grandmother walked in. She raised her eyebrows at him. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to attend dinner with your family?”
“I do not think my presence is required or wanted by my son or my wife.”
She smiled softly at him. “It will do Percy good to see you, and this will be a good time for you to get to know your new wife.”
He grimaced, but he knew she was right. Even though the marriage was in name only, he needed to make sure it was civil, for Percy’s sake.
Besides, this would be a good time to observe her and Percy together.
She had done wonders when Percy was trying to see the stars, and now he would be able to see how they interacted even more.
“Fine,” he said, standing up. “I will be along shortly for dinner.”
She smiled, looking pleased. “Percy, Selina, and I will be waiting.”
She left, and he spent a few more minutes looking at the papers on his desk. When he knew he couldn’t delay it any longer, he left the safety of his study to go downstairs to the dining hall, where his new family was.
He found the Dowager Duchess, Selina, and his son sitting together at the table. However, there was tension in the air, and not just from his presence.
The dowager duchess gave him a nervous look as he took his place at the table, but Selina’s attention was on Percy. “Maybe after dinner we could look at the stars tonight. Would you like that?”
Percy just glared at his empty plate.
“Did something happen?” Dominic asked as footmen started to serve them their food.
Selina looked up at him nervously. “He saw me coming out of my new bedchamber when the nanny was taking him to dinner, and he was upset.”
That explained it. He no longer had to wonder if Percy understood Selina’s new role in the family, and he was clearly not taking it well.
The dowager duchess smiled as she picked up her fork to begin eating. “I think going to look at the stars tonight is a wonderful idea,” she said, her voice full of forced cheerfulness. “Percy loves the stars, don’t you? Dominic used to enjoy them when he was younger as well.”
Selina looked up at him. “Truly?”
“Not as much as Percy does,” he responded. “But I did enjoy identifying constellations.” He couldn’t remember the last time he had even looked up at the sky, let alone looked for constellations. He felt a pang of sadness at the thought.
Percy didn’t seem to be paying attention to the conversation. Instead, he glared down at his food. Anger was radiating off of him in a way that Dominic had never seen before.
Selina looked at him, worried. “What is your favorite food on the plate, Percy? Is it the dinner roll? The vegetables? The chicken?” Dominic doubted that she really cared. She just wanted to make conversation.
The little boy glared up at her, tears filling his eyes for a moment, before he slammed his hand into his plate, splattering food everywhere. Dominic jerked back in surprise.
Selina startled slightly. “No, dear. Please don’t make a mess.” Her voice was distressed, but still gentle, almost pleading.
This only made him push his plate off the table, where it shattered into shards on the ground. A footman startled before jumping into action, cleaning up the mess on the ground.
“That’s enough,” Dominic said quietly.
His son froze, sorrow flickering in his wide eyes as he looked up at his father. For a moment, Dominic felt the weight of it, but he masked the thought as he set down his napkin and stood.
“Dinner is over. Grandmother, summon the nanny and have her take Percy to his room. Duchess, I would like a word with you in my study. Now.”
He left the room without another word. He knew she was following him because of the sound of her heels clicking on the floor.
As soon as they were in his study and his door was closed, he turned to face her.
She smiled pleasantly, but she still looked a little uncertain. “One would think you pulled me in here over a matter of life and death instead of a broken plate.”
He glared at her, completely unamused. “You are on thin ice, Selina. I made it clear that your primary responsibility is to care for Percy. I suggest you get him under control soon.”
She frowned at him. “I have only been your wife for a day! Did you expect him to be singing Christmas carols for you during dinner?”
“Of course not,” he said, only angered more at the absurd image. “But I certainly did not expect to see him throwing food either. He has never misbehaved like that before you arrived.”
“His father just remarried, and you expect him not to misbehave? He’s only a child!” She sounded indignant. “He has gone through so much. He is confused, and sad, and angry—”
“And he’s your responsibility!” he hissed. “If you do not get him under control in two weeks’ time—”
“I’ve had quite enough of deadlines, thank you,” she snapped.
She drew up to her full height and glared at him with a steely look in her eye.
“He is a child, not a project! I will care for him to the best of my ability, and I do not need the pressure of a countdown while I’m trying to be his mother. ”
“You’d better do more than try. I need you to be his mother. He needs discipline,” he said.
“He needs…” she laughed incredulously and shook her head. “I should have accepted the consequences of a scandal instead of marrying the likes of you.”
He flinched despite himself. He certainly had a talent for making his wives regret marrying him.
Do not think about that now. Focus on the matter at hand.
He took a deep breath to control himself. “Then what do you propose?” he asked evenly.
“Children need a stable, loving environment,” she said. “Family is a sacred thing for them. For all of us. You cannot simply present him with a new mother and expect him to accept it.”
“Are you going to present me with your solution, or are you simply going to lecture me?” He was not in the mood for a lecture, especially when the well-being of his son was at stake.
She gave him an exasperated look. “You are Percy’s father. You need to start getting involved in your son’s upbringing instead of staying locked in your study—”
“I do not lock my study door,” he said. “In fact, I make a point to keep it unlocked in case he ever wants to come in.” His son had not entered his study in nearly a year, however. He had only done it a few times shortly after his mother’s death. Dominic felt a pang of sadness at the thought.
Of course, he does not want to come into my room. He is afraid of me and probably blames me for his mother’s death.
“Have you ever told him he is welcome to spend time in your study? Do you put effort into making it a comfortable place for a child?” She gestured to the dark, upright armchairs near the fireplace, the shelves of leather-bound tomes, and the severe-looking paintings on the wall.
“I would also be scared to stay in this room as a child. It is depressing for an adult to stay in here.”
“I hope you can forgive me for not having the same taste in decor that you do.” This conversation was ridiculous. Why could she not simply understand that she needed to take her responsibility as Percy’s new mother seriously? Why did she feel the need to lecture him?
She crossed her arms and glared at him. “I am not suggesting you change the decor of your study. But you must become involved in your son’s life and help create a stable family routine for him.”
“That is not how it works,” he said, stepping closer to her. He had to keep from looking down at her soft, supple lips. “As a duke, I have duties that involve managing the estate and matters of parliament. It is your responsibility as my wife to look after my son.”
He had barely known his own father, having been raised by his mother and a succession of nannies.
It was not until he was a teenager that his father intervened to teach him more about the responsibilities involved in being a duke.
He was never afraid of his father, but he was also never close to him.
He had always been a little wary of him, even if he never outright feared him.
Compared to the late duke, Dominic was much more involved in Percy’s life—at least, he had been before Eugenia’s death. He had become much colder and more distant this past year…
Can I really be involved in his life as much as Selina says I should be?
He had never heard of a duke taking a larger part in rearing his own children, especially during the early years…
Selina watched him, as if trying to gauge his thoughts. “I am happy to look after Percy,” she said softly. “But if you continue to distance yourself from him and prioritize your duties as a duke over those as a father, then you will never hear him speak again.”
“You are forgetting yourself,” he said, taking another step closer.
He was almost able to touch her now. He gave in to his desires, and his gaze went to her lips.
It would be so easy to kiss her. He wet his lips as he looked down at her soft, supple mouth.
“You need to learn your position in his house.” His voice was a little softer, huskier.
Let me kiss you. Let me claim you the way I want to.
Her gaze flickered to his mouth for a moment before she inhaled sharply as she looked up at him, color rising to her cheeks. He leaned down automatically, wanting to taste her again…
Their lips nearly touched before she stepped back quickly. “I know my priorities,” she said. “Do you know yours?”
He stopped, as if cold water had been poured over him. How could he forget himself? His priority was Percy, not seducing his wife. He turned away from here. “Goodnight,” he said. “I expect you to do better with Percy in the morning.”