Chapter 19
Dominic had supposed Verity might be a reader in knowing she cared about writing, but he hadn’t really understood how voracious of an appetite she really had for the written word.
“It’s more than compelling, it’s important,” she insisted yet again on their carriage ride to a ball three nights later.
“If the Ottoman Empire really did have those mathematical inventions, only to lose them, then it means their buildings could have been even more impressive than we understood them to be. To survive in such harsh conditions, to be able to battle… Oh, it breaks my heart to consider all that could be lost through history because of an empire like this.”
His brow furrowed in doubtful concern. “You do know we lost much in the library at Alexandria, don’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. That’s Greece. Everyone knows Greece. But less people know about the Byzantine Empire. That’s what I’m saying, we’re losing so many pieces of history simply by not reading about it.”
“Then what do you wish to do, force everyone to read every book?”
Straightening up in her seat, she gave a grin over his dry question. “It would make everything easier, I think.”
“Then I wish you success in such an attempt.” He mostly meant it too.
A short laugh escaped her. “I know. It’s… I get too passionate about some matters. But I know what it’s like to lose things, Dominic. People and ideas and homes and… and so much more. To consider the loss of a whole civilization simply strikes me as too much.”
“Perhaps we can travel someday so you can see what remains for yourself.”
Shock crossed her features. “Travel! I never thought about that. Would you?”
I would for you.
The surprising thought came unbidden. He hadn’t even thought about the words he was saying.
Would he? Though he’d made sure to enjoy a grand adventure across the Continent after university, mostly to avoid his father, Dominic had always known London to be his home. He liked it here. He thrived here.
“Yes,” he told her simply.
It was worth everything to see the light shining in her eyes. This was also helped by the lantern light as their carriage rolled to a stop and they stepped out to arrive at the ball.
They passed through the receiving line, their conversation left long behind back in the carriage for safekeeping. Dominic promptly forgot the names of their hosts and found himself in the ballroom alongside Verity who waved and greeted several people they passed.
“Should we smile more than we already do?” Verity murmured.
The starting conversation in the carriage of the ride over had been focused on ensuring they presented themselves well together at the ball. He didn’t see why there was a need to discuss the matter, but his wife wanted to be certain they would present a united front.
I have no reason to disagree. Of course we should be united.
Around the room they went. Both of them were accepted in countless circles like they always had been.
And yet it felt different.
While the evening wore on, the night growing darker and louder, Dominic attempted to make sense of it. He furrowed his brow to study the landscape of the ball while taking Verity onto the dance floor.
“I haven’t stepped on your foot, have I?” she asked him.
“No, I don’t believe so.”
“Then why do you glare?”
He blinked, trying to smooth his brow. “I don’t.”
“Then you’re not mad? Upset? Annoyed? Dealing with indigestion?” She prodded him teasingly.
By the end, he was hiding most of a smile. “Not at all, but I thank you for your concern.” The song shifted rhythms as he brought her closer. Something about it made his heart lighter as well.
“And you’re certain nothing is wrong?”
“Nothing at all,” he reassured her.
“Good, because I do enjoy a pleasant dance,” she informed him with a wink before being sent off to another circle.
Dominic immediately missed her warm hands in his. He lingered a moment to watch her before turning as well to follow in line with everyone else.
Could it be this? Her? Everything feels more natural before, as though we have always known one another. Like we have always danced together.
He pondered this as they finished the dance set before going off to the side. Taking Verity’s hand in his felt correct. He missed her hand when they were separate. She smiled more, he liked to think, as did he.
As Lady Isabel came around to speak with Dominic, he took his leave to retrieve drinks for them. “Thank you,” Verity called after him.
Finding there were no trays or servants on the outskirts of the ballroom, he moved into the next where there were several tables set up. The drinks were mostly gone now, glasses missing, whilst lined up in the back of the room.
Dominic had only spotted them when Cassian appeared at his side. “Might I have a word with you? In private?”
He didn’t bother to hide his annoyance. Frowning, Dominic tightened his jaw and nodded. Talking in private offered no promises of friendly conversation. Maybe the viscount didn’t know how to do that.
After following him over to a side room, Dominic watched the gentleman begin to pace while rubbing his hands together. But he said nothing and it wore on Dominic’s patient; he knew Verity would wonder about him eventually. “What is it now, Cassian? More secrets?”
“I am not the one at fault with secrets,” the viscount announced.
“I beg your pardon?”
Cassian crossed the room over to him. His eyes were narrowed and sharp upon him. “Live your life as you desire, I don’t care. But we are family and you are married to my sister. How the match came to be doesn’t matter, but I will insist you respect Verity.”
“I was just retrieving her drinks.”
“I saw, Your Grace.”
He raised an eyebrow, still attempting to make sense of Cassian’s blundering ways. “What exactly do you think you saw?”
“I saw you disrespecting my sister out in public. She’s a duchess, and she deserves to be treated delicately. I will not have it said she made a bad match,” the viscount added with a sharp huff.
Annoyance was creeping into something stronger. Restraining the urge to lash out, Dominic demanded, “When would I have disrespected my wife? In public, of all places?”
“I saw you with those young ladies! In the street. I thought about calling you out right there, but I told myself no, I won’t give Verity cause to feel shame.
I mean what I said, your Grace. My sister should be valued.
You are fortunate to have someone as fair and talented as she.
Verity should never be allowed to feel hurt or embarrassment over your actions.
I see you smiling at her now, but I will not have you acting behind her back when she isn’t there. ”
By the end of his tirade, Cassian was jabbing him in the chest and huffing over the matter.
Hands tightened into fists. Dominic forced a breath. Then he brushed the hand away and stepped back. Even if the viscount was going to be unreasonable, it didn’t mean he had to stoop down there as well.
He moved back to do some pacing on his own; he would not speak out of turn. All the while, Cassian glared.
“Well?”
“Do you intent to call me out?” Dominic asked abruptly.
Genuine surprise crossed the viscount’s face. “And widow her so soon? Not at all.”
“Then you offer a warning.”
“Yes.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Just because I said I wouldn’t call you out doesn’t mean––”
Raising a hand was enough for Dominic to silence Cassian. The other gentleman appeared almost uncomfortable now with his own emotions, and it made Dominic curious. What was Cassian doing here, talking like this, when he’d practically shoved the match together?
His thoughts spun as he sorted out the situation.
“You will not call me out, and I will not call you out. We have family now intertwined with names that we care about,” he said pointedly.
Cassian had the decency to look somewhat abashed.
“Now that Verity and I have wed, our marriage is only between us. You don’t get to set precedence on this relationship, nor arrange expectations or even make assumptions.
If you want to interfere in a marriage, I suggest you find yourself a wife. ”
Cassian huffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not the reason we are here,” Dominic reminded him.
He closed the distance. “We are bound together by a secret, Cassian. That is enough. We do not need to be friends. We are barely family. But you entrusted your sister into my care and I will keep her there. I made vows before you, her, and God, did I not? You don’t know what happened with those two young ladies or what was said, do you? ”
“No, but it looked––”
He interrupted impatiently. “Then spend five minutes in your company to see if they do it to you as well. Or to any other titled gentleman who still has most of his teeth.”
“Blast it, I do have all my teeth.”
“I am married to Verity.” Dominic carried on, ignoring him.
“I am married to your sister. She is my wife. I will respect her and I will honor her. Tonight, we have danced a full set together to continue proving to the rest of London that we are a well-suited match. A match that you yourself arranged. This is no time to go back on your word, Cassian.”
After grumbling under his breath, the viscount slowly nodded. “Very well. I do suppose you have some fair points.”
“Good.” Dominic wanted to get back to his wife, so he started for the door.
He would have left if Cassian didn’t call after him, “It is a well-suited match, is it not? She is happy, I trust?”
“You should ask her yourself.”
“I would, I only…” Cassian dropped his gaze when Dominic looked back.
The hesitant expression had him looking much younger as he quietly muttered, “Verity grew up on fairy tales. She wouldn’t tell anyone now.
She always hoped for a happy marriage match, and I only…
People were already talking about her like she was on the shelf, Your Grace. Verity. Can you believe it?”
Sighing, Dominic leaned against the door. “Society says many things. Little of it is generous.”
“I only thought… She could be happy. By all accounts, you are a decent fellow without any scandals tied to your name or family. Even though it was necessary, I should like her to be content. To be happy with the match.”
He felt the need to offer a lifeline. “It’s still early.”
“Do you love her?”
His mouth opened and closed in surprise over the question. Staring at Cassian, Dominic wondered where the word came from. Love? What part did love play here? He supposed it was in the vows somewhere, but love was a… a vague concept that many claimed or prayed for or didn’t believe.
He personally avoided the mere thought.
“Love?” He echoed, feeling the word sit unfamiliar on his tongue.
Cassian started to draw forward again before remaining where he stood, determined to leave some distance between them. “I see what you do for her. My sisters have told me about the letters. And tonight, I saw the way she looked at you.”
“What?” Dominic frowned, not understanding. He didn’t think there were any problems between him and Verity at the moment. She had seemed happy enough. He hadn’t noticed any trouble. He had even let her tease him.
“If you don’t love her,” Cassian muttered just loud enough for him to hear, “Then do not let her believe that you do. Please.”
A cloud of confusion swept over Dominic as he stared at Cassian.
As he thought about his wife. The way she fit so well in his arms, the perfect height.
The lilac scent of her wafting about, lingering in the carriage and their library.
The way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight and how she brightened with a good tease or jest.
I would know her. I would have her trust me in time. But love?
Dominic spared a final glance at Cassian who held his head up high now, staring back and waiting.
Except there was nothing to say. Dominic didn’t want to think about whether or not love was real.
If he even deserved it or knew how to provide it.
He couldn’t arrange expectations he was certain to fail. Not when it came to Verity.
“Good night,” he said at last and swept out of the room. He breathed in deeply to appear the picture of calm.
Inside, however, Dominic was a storm.