Chapter 20
Twenty
Shortly after Dominic left, there was another knock on the door. Selina’s heart soared for a moment, thinking that the duke had returned after all. But when she opened the door, she saw the dowager duchess on the other side.
The older woman chuckled. “You look disappointed to see me.”
“Forgive me,” Selina said, stepping to the side to let the older woman in. “I thought you might be the duke. He just left a moment ago.”
A small smile spread across the dowager’s face as she sat down beside the fire. “Perhaps there is a chance of me having a second grandchild after all.”
Selina blushed, and she couldn't help but think about his teasing voice. Your husband comes to your room at night, and you automatically assume he is here for a discussion. She cleared her throat before her thoughts could run away with her in front of the man’s grandmother.
“He merely came to thank me for my progress with Percy.”
The dowager nodded. “That is actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to see how you were holding up after such a long day.”
Selina smiled tiredly. “It was a long day, but I believe it ended well. So I am content.” Her smile grew. “I cannot believe he spoke. It was so wonderful to hear his voice.”
The dowager duchess smiled, tears gathering in her eyes. “You have no idea how much that means to us. I am only sorry that he spoke just to reject you as his mother.”
Selina shook her head. “I am not. I cannot replace her in his heart, nor do I want to. Now I know why he was always so upset to enter my old rooms. He missed how they used to be.”
“I think it was a good idea to get him a pocket watch, just like his father’s.”
Selina smiled. “I agree. I am glad the two of them are growing closer.” Her chest had swelled with pride when she saw the two of them interact earlier, over the pocket watches, and then the hug. She knew that hug meant the world to Dominic.
“Overall, I think it was quite a pleasant day. And I think I shall be happier in this room than in the duchess’s suite. That was too much space for me. I hardly knew what to do with it.”
“A lesser woman would have been insulted at the idea of giving up her rightful bedchamber.”
Selina smirked. “That is why you chose to send me to Dominic’s room instead of someone else, is it not?”
The dowager duchess chuckled and stood up. “Of course. I am happy I did so, especially after today. I shall leave you to get some much-needed rest.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “Shall I send my grandson in here for the night? I could lock the door behind him.”
Selina’s cheeks warmed even as she scoffed at the joke. “Certainly not!”
The older woman laughed and waved goodnight before leaving the room.
The duchess’s cheeks were still burning as she closed the door behind her before retiring to her bed. Her thoughts immediately turned to Dominic. As she closed her eyes, it was easy to picture him standing in her room.
What would she have done if he had been there to claim her as a husband claims a wife? Heat pooled between her legs as she imagined him gathering her into his arms and kissing her before guiding her to her bed.
She had to admit this was not the first time she had thought about this, but now her cheeks burned bright red.
She pressed her legs together and bit her lip as she imagined it.
However, as she blew out the candle and left herself in total darkness, she tried not to think about it.
Shame overtook her. He would probably be appalled if he knew she had such wanton thoughts about him.
Yes, he had kissed her a couple of times. Perhaps he desired her a little, but not enough to truly act upon it. He was too in love with his first wife to do something like that.
She tried to go to sleep, but despite herself, she still fantasized about Dominic. At some point, the gray light of dawn slipped through the curtains, pulling her into another day.
Selina felt like singing the day as she switched rooms. She was making progress with Percy, and she and Dominic seemed to be reaching an understanding.
Even though she doubted they would ever be in love—Dominic was still in love with his first wife, after all—there was at least hope for a friendly partnership.
She felt a pang of longing, knowing there would be no chance at romance, but then she reminded herself not to be greedy.
She already had more than she could have ever hoped for in a marriage of convenience.
All she had to do was remind herself that her growing affection for her husband would go unrequited. That was perfectly all right.
Maybe if I keep telling myself that, I will finally believe it.
In the late morning, Dominic sat on an outside bench and watched Percy gently roll a ball back and forth with his nanny. Most children his age would be bored with the game, but Dominic was happy just to see him playing at all.
The boy had not uttered a single word all morning, but Dominic still remembered his voice from the day before. That memory was enough to make him feel lighter than ever.
Movement out of the corner of his eye had him looking to see Selina walking towards them. She smiled. “Good morning,” she called out.
She looked happier than he had ever seen her before, and his heart warmed at the sight of it. He looked away before his thoughts could turn more lustful, the way they always did around her.
Percy looked up at Selina and smiled at her before patting the ground next to him.
Dominic watched uncertainly. “I am not sure if she wishes to get her dress dirty, Percy,” he said gently. “Perhaps she can watch you play while sitting next to me.” He just wanted an excuse to be close with her, and he felt a pang of guilt at the thought.
“I do not mind getting my dress dirty at all,” Selina said. Dominic tried to hide his disappointment. Since when did I become so selfish? She’s for Percy, so of course, she should play with him instead of sitting next to me.
Selina continued to speak. “Perhaps all of us can enjoy a picnic in the garden together? How does that sound?”
Percy grinned and nodded.
Dominic gave a small nod, trying to hide his discomfort at the idea. He had never done something as casual as a spontaneous picnic before, so he did not know what to do.
“Excellent!” Selina said. “This shall be fun.”
The nanny got to her feet and brushed off her dress. “I will prepare a picnic basket, Your Grace.” She curtsied to Selina and Dominic before rushing off to the manor.
Selina turned to her husband. “Have you ever been on a picnic before?”
He shook his head, not knowing what to say.
“It is quite fun,” she said. “My family and I used to have them all the time when I was a child. It is a lovely way to enjoy beautiful weather, after all.”
Dominic watched as Selina and Percy passed the ball back and forth until the nanny returned with a picnic basket and a blanket. Selina helped her spread the blanket out on the ground. “Thank you so much,” Selina told her. “If you wish, you can take the rest of the morning off. We will watch Percy.”
The nanny smiled and curtsied. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
As the woman walked back to the manor, Selina sat on the blanket, arranging her skirts neatly around her. Percy sat next to her.
She looked up at Dominic. “Come join us,” she said.
He nodded slowly and got off the bench. Carefully, he sat down cross-legged on the blanket. It felt uncomfortable, and he knew his suit was wrinkling as he did it. How can anyone find this fun?
Percy moved closer to him and leaned his head against his father’s shoulder. Dominic looked down at him and relaxed a little. He could put up with the discomfort if it made Percy happy.
Selina grinned at the scene for only a moment before she focused her attention on the picnic basket. She opened it up to reveal bread, cheese, and fruit, along with a glass jug of milk and some dishes for them to use. “This is delightful,” she said as she pulled out everything.
“This is truly something you did with your family?” Dominic sounded intrigued. “You all sat on the ground in your garden and ate simple fare?”
“Indeed,” she said as she poured a glass of cold milk for Percy. “Sometimes we would sing songs, or read stories aloud, but mostly we just enjoyed each other’s company.”
Percy pointed at her eagerly.
Selina smiled at him. “What do you want, darling? Some food?”
He shook his head. Frustration flickered on his face for a moment before he tapped his mouth with his hand.
Dominic was completely lost, but realization entered Selina’s eyes. “Do you want me to sing?”
The child smiled and nodded eagerly. Dominic felt a pang of envy that Selina seemed to understand Percy better than he did. I’ll never be able to do that with him, no matter how much I want to.
Selina bit her lip and glanced at Dominic for a moment before she smiled. “I can sing if you wish, but I am certainly no professional. This is a song that we sang at my finishing school.”
She cleared her throat for a moment before she sang. “Alas, my love, you do me wrong, to cast me off discourteously. For I have loved you well and long, delighting in your company.”
Despite her disclaimer about not being a professional, her voice was pleasant and sweet. It made Dominic think of sirens from old myths.
Selina continued to sing.
“Greensleeves was all my joy. Greensleeves was my delight. Greensleeves was my heart of gold, and who but my lady Greensleeves.”
Percy let out a small giggle and clapped.
Feeling agitated, Dominic stood up suddenly. “I believe you two will have more fun without me.”
His wife frowned. “Absolutely not! Stay! There is plenty of food for all of us.”
“I am afraid I cannot. I have spent too long away from my studies as it is.”
Percy’s face fell, and he tried to ignore it, hating that he was disappointing his son. But it was all the more reason for him to leave. He would only spoil the fun.
“Enjoy the picnic,” he said softly before turning to go back to the manor.