Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Deena inhaled deeply as she stepped out of the carriage. The scent of fresh grass at Hyde Park and budding flowers eased the tightness that had lived in her chest for weeks. It was a rare London morning that made even the most cynical soul believe the world might grant them a moment of peace.
“Today,” Selina declared as she adjusted her bonnet, “we are having a normal day. No scandals, no secrets, and no catastrophes. Just sunshine and food.”
Dominic snorted beside her. “With our family? That seems ambitious.”
Mary and Percy tumbled out behind them, shrieking with delight as the maid hurried after them. The children immediately left their parents and darted towards the pond.
Austin stepped beside Deena. His shoulder brushed hers slightly, and she shivered from the contact.
“I agree with Selina,” he said lightly. “A day without tragedy sounds like a miracle worth attempting.”
Deena smiled despite herself. “Then let us hope the universe cooperates.”
“It better,” Dominic muttered, but Selina swatted his arm.
As they began walking, Selina slowed her steps until she was beside Deena. “I’ve been meaning to ask,” she said softly, “have you heard anything from Penelope?”
Deena could not hold back her smile. She had expected the question and could not wait to bear good news for once.
“Yes,” she said excitedly. “She reached Scotland safely.”
Selina’s eyes widened. “Truly?”
“She is with Lord Edward now,” Deena continued. “He met her at the port, and they are staying with one of his cousins until everything is settled.”
Selina clasped her hands together. “Oh, Deena, that is wonderful news. I have been praying for her.”
“So have I.” She smiled as she remembered the words Penelope penned.
My happiness has no boundaries when I am with him…
Selina nudged Deena playfully. “Well? Do not leave me in suspense!”
“Forgive me.” Deena shook her head and chuckled. “Penelope is finally…happy and safe.”
Selina exhaled shakily. “Good. She deserves that.” She looked at Deena sternly. “Everyone does.”
Deena felt her throat tighten. “Thank you, Selina. For everything.”
Selina squeezed her arm. “Let me run off and join my husband before Austin steals him from me for the entire day.”
Deena laughed. “That is a good idea.”
Selina skipped ahead but stopped midway and turned back to Deena. “I told you to have faith in him,” she said as she joined Dominic, leaving Deena with a rare sense of lightness.
She watched as Austin was chased away by Selina and laughed.
Austin turned around to find her. He grinned from afar and waited for her.
Everything was different between them since Penelope’s visit.
They weren’t physical since then, but every moment between them felt intimate.
Deena tried to name what she was experiencing with him, but she could not find the right word or perhaps she was too afraid to admit what it truly was.
“I am determined to enjoy myself today,” Austin called out. “And I find I enjoy myself most when you’re near.”
Deena felt the familiar heat pool low in her belly. “You looked happier beside Dom.” She teased him.
“Do not let Selina hear you,” he murmured. Deena laughed, shaking her head.
They followed the others along the winding path, but Austin slowed his pace until they drifted several steps behind. Deena felt the warmth of him even without touching. The awareness of his nearness made her body react even then.
“You look different today,” he said suddenly.
“How so?”
“You seem more relaxed and…almost happy.”
“That is because Selina threatened to drag me here by my hair if I refused, and she absolutely insisted that I look as if I am enjoying myself.”
Austin laughed softly. “Ah! Well, I am glad she did. You look stunning when you are happy.”
Deena’s eyes met his, and she felt the familiar thud of her pulse quicken under his dark gaze.
How I long for him.
The sounds of children laughing nearby drifted to them and pulled them out of the spell they fell into.
“We should catch up with them,” Deena said, but she stayed rooted.
“Yes, we should.” Austin offered her his arm, and she took it without hesitation.
As they continued to walk, Deena watched Mary chase Percy with a stick while their poor maid ran after them and intervened before the stick became a weapon.
“Your niece and nephew are adorable,” Austin said, watching them with a broad smile.
“They are,” Deena agreed. “Though I suspect Percy is becoming more and more like Dominic, and he is not that adorable.”
“How dare you?” Austin feigned insult, and Deena giggled.
Their shared laughter felt easy and natural.
Everything felt right and as it should be, but Deena could not fight an odd sense of foreboding.
She decided to ignore it and concentrate on all the good that has happened.
Penelope was safe. They had not heard from the blackmailer again, and all was well.
Deena tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “It is nice… being out like this.”
“It is,” Austin agreed quietly.
She glanced up at him.
“Austin…”
“Yes?”
“You’re staring.”
“I know.”
She looked away quickly, but he pulled her closer to his side. Deena could not bear the heat of his body against hers. She shut her eyes and shuddered. She had been dreaming about him every evening. Dreaming that he would enter her chamber, and her bed, and finish what they had started.
“There is my favorite color on you.” Her eyes fluttered open as she peered at him, grinning at her triumphantly.
Unbearable heat rose in her cheeks. “I truly understand now why you were crowned the title ‘Velvet Duke’”.
“And you like it.”
She did. Far too much.
Ahead, Selina and Dominic reached the chosen picnic spot beneath a large oak tree. Austin slowed again, stopping Deena with a gentle touch to her wrist. The contact was light, but it sent a shiver through her.
“Deena,” he said softly, “before we join them… There is something I want you to know.”
She turned to face him fully. The sunlight caught in his dark hair, softening the sharp lines of his face and lighting up the slight stubble along his jawline. He looked almost boyish, except for the intensity in his dark eyes.
“What is it?” she asked.
He stepped closer, close enough that she felt the warmth of his breath. “I did not forget our intimate nights, and I did not forget my duty as a husband. I want you to know that I will please you.” His voice was husky. The promise made her spine tingle, and her body came to life.
The world narrowed to the space between them.
She tilted her head, meeting his gaze steadily. “You have done enough for me already,” she whispered. “Perhaps it should be I who pleases you.”
Austin’s eyes darkened, and he growled her name. “Deena…”
She felt the moment stretch taut as a bowstring. One more breath and he would close the distance. One more heartbeat, and she would let him.
“Deena! Austin!” Selina’s voice shattered the moment.
They both exhaled sharply, stepping apart as though burned.
Selina waved them over. “Come along! The food is getting cold!”
Deena pressed a hand to her racing heart. Austin ran a hand through his hair, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like a curse.
As they walked towards the blanket and settled in, Dominic watched them with narrowed eyes. “You two look different.”
Austin raised a brow. “Different how?”
Dominic shrugged. “Just different. But in a good way. Did something happen? I mean, apart from what you endured while helping Penelope.”
Selina suddenly gasped, causing all heads to swivel towards her. “Oh! Are we finally getting nephews and nieces?”
Deena choked on her own breath while Austin coughed violently next to her. They both stared at Dominic, whose jaw was ticking dangerously. Deena bit back her laughter and looked at Dominic apologetically, but he seemed furious. Selina grinned and babbled on about babies, oblivious to the tension.
Dom turned his glare to Austin, who lifted both hands in surrender. Deena was starting to realize it was a common action between the two friends. “I did not do anything. I swear. On my title. On my horse. On my favorite boots!”
Selina snorted. “Your boots?”
“They are very dear to me, Selina,” Austin said drily.
Dominic glared at him. “You had better not—”
“Dom,” Selina interrupted, patting his arm. “They are married.”
Dominic exhaled slowly, then shrugged. “Well… my children could use the company anyway.”
“What?” Deena gasped.
Mary and Percy chose that moment to run back towards the group, Percy tripping over his own feet and Mary laughing at him.
“Mama, Aunt Dee! I picked these for you!” Percy held out two daises to them, and Deena’s heart warmed at his innocent kindness.
“Thank you, my little gentleman.” She gave him a small kiss on his tiny cheek and he giggled.
“Oh, my son!” Selina cried out dramatically and showered him with kisses while Mary climbed all over Dominic as he sunbathed.
All the adults physically relaxed when they were raided by kisses, laughter, and tiny voices. Austin leaned closer to Deena, his voice low enough so only she could hear.
“Do you want children?” His question surprised her.
“I—do not know. I did not think it possible until…”
“Until me?” Austin looked at her curiously.
Deena pursed her lips and did not answer, but he smirked as if he knew what she meant to say already.
How could she tell him that she felt unworthy to be a mother just as she felt unworthy of being a wife?
She truly did not believe that she would ever get married either.
It felt impossible for her, and yet it happened.
The question was daunting, but as she looked at her niece and nephews, her heart warmed to the idea.
Perhaps…this is possible too.
Your Grace,
I write to you with gratitude I cannot fully express.