Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
“You know,” Dominic said, swirling his brandy in his glass, “for a man whose scandalous past was splashed across every breakfast table and is now just recently married, you look remarkably unbothered.”
Austin leaned back in the deep leather chair of the gentleman’s smoking room and gave a lazy half-smile to his friend. “What can I say? I’ve always had thick skin. And a good tailor. The combination is invincible.”
Dominic snorted. “Invincible. Right. The ton’s been whispering about you for days, and now…crickets. It’s like the entire city collectively decided yesterday was the day they got bored of you.”
“Miraculous, isn’t it?” Austin lifted his glass in mock toast. He could hardly believe it himself.
His plan had worked. Marriage silenced whoever was after him.
“One quiet wedding to a duke’s sister and suddenly my velvet reputation is yesterday’s news.
Who knew matrimony was such an effective scandal suppressant? ”
Dominic laughed under his breath. “You should bottle it. Call it ‘Matrimonial Silence’. One drop on the tongue and all gossip evaporates. You’d make a fortune.”
“I’d make more if I sold it to your grandmother,” Austin replied dryly. “She’s been trying to silence half the ton for decades.”
Dominic grinned, then sobered slightly. “Seriously, though. It worked. The legitimacy rumors? Vanished. No one’s asking questions about your parents’… recreational habits anymore. They’re too busy speculating whether Deena trapped you or you trapped her.”
Austin’s smile turned wry. He hadn’t read The Daily Scribe and didn’t care to. All he knew was that the blackmailers were silenced and Deena was safe. So was his reputation…for now.
“Let them speculate. As long as they’re not speculating about bloodlines, I’ll survive.”
Dominic studied him for a moment. “You really don’t mind the attention on your marriage now?”
“I mind a great deal less than I thought I would.” Austin took a slow sip. “Turns out having a wife is much better than questioning my own birth origin.”
Dominic’s brows rose. “I never thought I’d hear those words coming out of your mouth.”
“You have very little faith in me, old friend.” Austin’s voice dropped, and he leaned closer to Dominic. “Jokes aside, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Dominic went still. “What is it?”
Austin set his glass down. “The Daily Scribe doesn’t accept letters. Articles must be delivered in person. That means whoever wrote that recent article is here.”
Dominic’s knuckles whitened around his glass. “You’re telling me the bastard who threatened my sister is walking around London right now?”
“I am almost certain about it.” Austin felt his anger, and the urge to look for the man was strong.
Dominic swore under his breath. “And you’re sitting here drinking brandy like it’s a Tuesday.”
“I’m sitting here drinking brandy because pacing the floor and punching walls won’t find a stranger faster.” Austin’s tone was calm, but his eyes were hard. “Whitman’s detective agency is watching the Scribe’s offices. If the blackmailer, or his messenger, shows up again, we’ll have him.”
Dominic exhaled in relief. “You should have told me sooner.”
“I’m telling you now,” Austin said boldly.
Dominic stared at him for a long moment and quietly said, “Thank you.”
“For useless information?” Austin scoffed.
“No. For protecting Deena. For marrying her when no one else would have touched her with a bargepole. I know what it cost you.” Dominic took a long swig of his brandy, and Austin’s gut twisted uncomfortably with his many secrets.
“It did not cost me anything I was not willing to pay,” Austin said, leaning back in his chair.
Dominic raised a brow. “You sure about that?”
Austin chuckled under his breath. “Yes. But let us talk about the serious matter at hand.”
Dominic’s expression sharpened instantly. “What is it?”
Austin reached into his coat and withdrew the recent note from the blackmailer. The edges were creased from how many times he had opened and closed it since morning. He handed it to Dominic without a word.
Dominic unfolded it, eyes scanning the short, jagged lines of ink.
His jaw tightened. “When did you receive this?”
“Two days before the wedding,” Austin replied. “Delivered by a boy who claimed he was paid to leave it at the door.”
Dominic read it again, voice low and dangerous.
He looked up sharply. “This is a threat.”
“Yes,” Austin said quietly. “Against me. And against Deena.”
Dominic’s fists clenched. “So, the blackmailer is still out there.”
“Yes.”
“And they know you are married.”
“Yes.”
“And they know where you are…where Deena is.”
Austin nodded once.
Dominic swore under his breath. “I should have doubled the guards. I should have—”
“Dom,” Austin interrupted gently. “You are not responsible for this.”
Dominic rounded on him. “The devil I am not. She is my sister. My blood. And someone is threatening her.”
Austin’s voice softened. “And she is my wife. I will protect her with everything I have.”
Dominic stared at him, chest rising and falling with barely contained fury. “You had better.”
“I swear it. On my title. On my honor. On my life.”
Dominic’s shoulders eased, but only slightly. “What do you think they want?”
“I do not know,” Austin admitted. “Money? Revenge? Chaos? Someone with a grudge against my family? Someone who hates the aristocracy? Someone who hates me?”
Dominic folded the note carefully, as though it might crumble. “We need to find them.”
“We will,” Austin said. “But until then, Deena must not know.”
Dominic’s head snapped up. “Why not?”
“Because she has endured enough,” Austin said quietly. “She deserves peace. She deserves joy. She deserves to feel safe in her new home.”
Dominic exhaled slowly. “She will not be safe until this person is caught.”
“I know,” Austin said. “Which is why I will try not leave her alone. Not for a moment.”
Dominic studied him for a long time, then nodded. “Very well. We will handle this together.”
Austin felt a weight lift from his chest. “Thank you.”
Dominic’s voice softened, rare and sincere. “You are family now. And I protect my family.”
Austin’s throat tightened. “As do I.”
Dominic tucked the note into his coat. “We will find this blackmailer. And when we do—”
Austin finished quietly, “They will never threaten her again.”
They drank in companionable silence for a moment. Austin felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders. He no longer had to lie to his friend.
“Look after her, Austin. Really look after her. She’s tougher than she looks, but she’s been carrying too much for too long.” Dominic was staring at his glass as he spoke.
Austin watched him and understood the love he had for Deena. “I know. And I will.”
“Good.” He lifted his glass. “To Deena. And to you, for finally doing something sensible with your life.”
Austin clinked his glass against Dominic’s. “To Deena. And to never having to lie to you again.”
Dominic grinned. “I’ll drink to that.”
Deena gasped as she woke up to three sharp knocks on her bedroom door.
The sound pulled her from her dreams, and her heart raced before she was fully conscious.
Her chamber was dark. The sun was just beginning to appear on the horizon outside her window.
She stared at the door as her pulse beat loudly in her ears.
Who could it be at this hour?
Deena wasn’t sure if or when Austin returned. She was so tired from spending time with Selina and the children that as soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep. Fear gripped her as she wondered if she should call for Austin or find a weapon.
“Deena? It’s me.” Austin’s voice drifted through the wooden door.
And memories crashed in without permission.
Had he come to tempt her? If he did, Deena might allow it just to ease her own cravings. All she could think about was the taste of his hot and unhurried lips on hers. And how his fingers felt inside of her. Or the way he groaned about how she was such a good girl.
She shook her head, and her curls cascaded around her face.
Control yourself, Deena.
Her cheeks flamed. Her thighs pressed together involuntarily.
“Deena?”
Austin’s voice came again, more urgently this time, and sent a fresh wave of heat through her.
She scrambled out of bed, snatched her wrapper from the chair, and belted it tightly around her waist as though the silk could shield her against whatever expression he would be wearing when she opened the door.
She cracked it open just enough to see him.
Austin leaned one shoulder against the jamb, arms crossed, dark hair damp from the morning dew. He wore a charcoal morning coat, waistcoat unbuttoned at the top, and an untied cravat. The faint scent of his shaving soap drifted into the room and made her lightheaded.
“Took you long enough,” he said, eyes dancing with humor. “Did you sleep well?”
Deena’s grip tightened on the door. “I was sleeping well.”
“Liar.” His gaze dropped to her mouth for one second before returning to her eyes. “You look flushed. You’re not hiding any lovers in there are you?”
Her stomach flipped. “What do you want, Austin?”
He pushed off the doorframe with lazy grace. “Today will be busy. But I believe we need to do something fun first.”
“Fun?” She repeated the word as though it were spoken in a foreign language.
“Yes. Fun. You know what that word means?” He stepped closer, and she didn’t retreat, though every sensible instinct screamed at her to slam the door in his cocky face.
“There’s a charity gala tonight. Some aristocrats are performing their generosity while quietly judging each other’s gowns, jewels, and moral fiber.
Women enjoy that sort of thing, don’t they? ”
Deena stared at him, unimpressed. “It’s too soon to go out in public.”
He tilted his head. “We’re married, Dee. The special license was read in the family chapel two days ago. The notice appeared in the Gazette yesterday morning. There is no more ‘public’ to hide from.”
“I mean—” She gestured helplessly. “People will stare. They’ll whisper. What if the articles begin again—”
“Let them whisper.” His voice dropped, edged with steel. “They’ll whisper whether we stay in this house for a month or walk into the gala tonight arm in arm. The difference is whether we walk in looking afraid… or looking untouchable.”
Deena felt her chest tighten with worry. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”
He smiled devilishly at her. “We are married now, did you forget? I must show off my wife.”
The words landed heavily on her. And it felt good. Deena leaned closer to him and sniffed.
“Are you drunk?” she asked with a raised brow.
He was taken aback. “No, Duchess. I’m just…recovering.” He looked at her with a fake serious expression.
Deena sighed and rolled her eyes at him.
This is what a duchess has to deal with?
She looked down at her left hand, at the plain gold band that now marked her as his. “I have to admit…I don’t know how to do this.”
“Do what exactly, and are you going to invite me into your chamber?” Austin slurred.
“No,” she answered him flatly, and he pouted. “And I meant that I don’t know how to be… a wife. In public. Where people are watching. Where they know exactly what was printed about me. About us.” Frustration began to build up inside of her again.
Austin reached out and caught her chin gently, tilting her face up to meet his. “You already know how. You proved it even before marriage. You do it by being exactly who you are: clever, unflinching, and far too good for the ton’s small-minded games.”
Deena swallowed as she looked up at him. Her eyes fell to his lips for a second, and Austin grinned.
“You noticed all of that?” she mumbled under her breath.
“I notice everything when it comes to you.” He lifted his hand but quickly dropped it to his side. “And I like what I see.”
Heat bloomed in the pit of her stomach as she stepped away from him.
Austin smiled wickedly. “You’re blushing again.”
“I am not.”
“Stop denying it, Dee.” He leaned through the gap of the door. “It starts at your throat, then climbs to your cheeks. It’s my favorite color on you.”
“Yes, Austin, you’ve mentioned this before.” She pretended nonchalance but her heart thudded uncontrollably under his touch and gaze.
“Say my name like that again,” he murmured, “and we won’t make it to the gala.”
Her breath hitched. “You’re the most ridiculous husband in the world. And are you forgetting that we are meant to be friends?”
“How can I be friends with someone so… irresistible?” Deena expected him to push through the door and kiss her, but instead, Austin pulled back. “Wear the green silk tonight. I want to spend the entire evening imagining peeling it off you later.”
Deena’s mouth went dry. “You can’t just say things like that.”
“I can.” He blew a kiss at her. “And I will.”
She stared at him, heart hammering at his words. “This is… a lot.”
“I know.” His voice softened. “But you’re not alone anymore. And tonight, I expect you to walk into the room, like you own it. Because with me, you do, and we should not be afraid.”
Deena swallowed. “We?”
“Yes, we.” He slowly walked away from her door. “Did you forget that we are married?”
I could not, even if I tried.
She closed her eyes for a second, trying to process whether she was ready to go out into public yet.
When she opened them again, Austin was watching her from afar. She noticed the hint of desire in his stare but brushed it off as his drunkenness.
“Wear the green,” he repeated softly as he retreated down the corridor.
Deena felt the corner of her mouth lift. “You’re very sure of yourself, Velvet Duke.”
“I’m always sure of myself, Dee.” He turned and winked at her. “I’ll see you at seven. Don’t be late.”
“Austin.” She called out.
He froze in front of a painting of one of his many ancestors.
She hesitated, then said quietly, “Thank you. For… not making this feel like punishment.”
His smile was small but visible.
Austin continued down the darkened corridor until she could no longer see him and yelled. “Oh, I almost forgot; Good morning, friend!”
Deena shook her head and laughed as his voice echoed around her.