Chapter 34
Verity closed her eyes to rub her brows.
It was supposed to calm down the wild beating of her heart as she paced through the grand hall of her family’s home. But no matter how much she slowed her breathing or sipped tea––while standing, no matter how wrong it felt––she couldn’t relax.
“Tell me again,” she said upon her return to the side door where the young boy had returned after she’d sent the missive.
I should have sent a footman. Only I thought he would be swifter. I should have thought to find someone large enough to drag the duke back here.
The boy, Cory, couldn’t be more than ten years of age, though he sighed like he had lived a very long life. He didn’t want to repeat himself a third time. She didn’t blame him. But she needed to be certain she wasn’t missing anything.
Slouching with his hands in his pockets, the boy said, “I ran to the duke’s ‘ouse. ‘e was there. I gave it to the guv, touched and all, and ‘e said it would be seen to. I said I needed a note back and ‘e said we would be seeing the note back soon’nough.”
“And?”
“And so I left. Came ‘ere, didn’t I?”
“Without a response from the duke.”
“There wasn’t one to give.”
She paused and narrowed her eyes. “Did he give you another coin?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Wasn’t ‘nough, I can tell you that much,” he said while smacking his lips.
Verity walked speedily back to him and crouched down, studying his filthy face. Cory was a boy she’d used for messages before. Fast and familiar with the streets of Mayfair, he also knew how to keep a secret. She had even taught him his letters to help with the errands.
And I’d teach him more if he wanted to, but the boy prefers the streets and having a trusted errand boy is very useful. Except for a day like today.
“You’re certain,” Verity said carefully, “he made no motion to write you a reply or to follow you back here? You’re absolutely certain?”
“Aye, m’lady. I even waited for ‘im to prepare a carriage like the dandies do. The duke jumped in a saddle and took the other direction. Fast, too. Did you scare ‘im out of London?”
Perhaps I did and didn’t know it. If he won’t help me, then I’ll do what I must.
Verity swallowed her fears and used the anger that reigned above to provide Cory with an extra coin. After instructing him toward the kitchens for a meal before he took off, she called for a horse herself to have saddled.
It didn’t take her long to find the magistrate’s office even though she had never been there. She had brought a groom this time to manage her horse as she stepped inside the dimly lit offices.
The young, scabby-faced assistant stood at once to gawk at her through wide eyes. “My lady! Er…”
“The Duchess of Wycliffe,” she introduced herself. “And I’m searching for my brother, the Viscount of Quinley. Is he here?”
“Yes, yes, he is… May I fetch him for you?”
She ignored the squeaking of his voice and nodded. “That would be appreciated, yes. Thank you.”
He was gone before she even finished speaking.
That was for the best. Verity was glad to have enough name and pomp to intimidate someone into obeying her in this situation, but she knew it wouldn’t last long.
She wasn’t good at being any more than herself; being more than that was too much of a struggle.
Brushing those concerns aside, Verity knew this was the prime opportunity to test her skills of using power to help her. She didn’t believe that titles should be used against the law. But when it came to protecting her brother… She feared she was willing to do whatever it took.
I hardly understand it. I shouldn’t even be here.
I would never have let Cassian come here if I had known…
If only I had returned an hour earlier, I could have caught him.
But at least my siblings won’t have discovered the letter he left behind.
I must remedy this. I don’t want him to hurt after all this.
I believe Cassian. It hurts, but I don’t think he needs to be punished.
I fear I think he has punished himself enough.
As she paced about the small front office, Verity rubbed her hands together. The nerves had returned. Fresh air and sunshine had helped her endure the ride over. Now, she had to worry about what to say.
What could a duchess to convince the law to release her brother?
“Verity.”
Gasping, she whirled around as Dominic stepped out of the door where the assistant had gone. There was a hallway she glimpsed before it disappeared.
“What are you… So this is where you went after my letter when I asked you to come see me?” Verity pieced together.
Dominic gave her a slight nod. “The matter is expedient. If more people get involved, the more likely it is for this situation to get out of control and where all of London could find out.” He hesitated with a slight grimace. “Which is growing less likely by the second.”
Her heartbeat faltered. “What? Whatever for?”
After he glanced back over his shoulder, his gaze met hers. “Your brother wants to come forward. He’s already told the Police Magistrate. The judge and two Bow Street Runners are talking with him right now.”
“What?” Verity cried as she started around him. “No! I can’t let him go to prison.”
But his hand stood in the way of her passing her husband. “No,” Dominic said. His voice was firm but gentle. “This is no place for a lady.”
“I’m not just a lady. I’m his sister.”
“I know.” He dropped his hand and his voice grew softer. “But the fact remains the same. This is no place for you. No one will let you back there.”
Huffing, she shook her head. She couldn’t accept that. “I have to see my brother! What is going back on there that I cannot see?”
Dominic still stood in her way to prevent her from moving anywhere.
It was frustrating. She could feel his warmth, scent his cologne, and wanted to push him out of the way.
The hammering of her heart could not be controlled.
How was she supposed to simply stand around at a time like this and do nothing?
Yet he remained calm all the while. “You’re worried, Verity, and you want to help. I understand that, but it is not the place or time.”
It felt like her eyes could very well fall right out of her head as she said, “How is it not? This is my brother, my family. He has a reputation that will impact my entire family! My sisters are not yet wed, Dominic. And it could affect us as well. I don’t understand why he would do this to us, to himself.
What if they want to put him away for murder? ”
“A peer of the realm?” Dominic shook his head. “It’s very unlikely. Which is why I am here to facilitate the conversation.”
“You are?”
His brow furrowed. He’d come out wearing a frown and it had remained all the while. Or it had continued to deepen slightly every time he spoke. “I will do what must be done and whatever can be done to help your brother. I should have spoken up sooner, just as he should have.”
Swallowing hard, she backed up a step. “But what if they… You were part of a duel. Those are illegal, Dominic.”
“I am aware of the law,” he reassured her, the deep groove around his mouth softly into what she thought might almost be a smile. His eyes trailed over her face for a long moment. “You’re worried.”
“Of course I am!”
“About your brother.”
Part of Verity was tempted to strangle him just in the hopes it improved this situation. “Yes!”
“And me?”
“Yes!” The words slipped out before she could help it.
Jerking back at the abrupt honesty, Verity scrambled to understand herself.
She recalled too well everything she had told Dominic only hours ago: they would be strangers for the rest of their marriage.
Worrying over him did not fall within those parameters.
And yet… She studied his face, trying to imagine not seeing him as regularly as she had grown used to seeing. “That is, I…”
He had the grace to nod and change the subject, all the while ignoring the flush creeping up her cheeks. “I should return to the conversation at hand. They need my eye witness account, and I’d like to see if we can get this before a judge before it goes to an official trial.”
“Good lord. Could that happen?”
“It is possible, but that will be up to the judge,” Dominic explained. “I will keep you and your family informed.”
A lump formed in her throat as she shook her head. “No. I don’t want them to know. They shouldn’t… they should be able to still picture our uncle as I did before I knew.”
Tilting his head, her husband asked, “You would keep the truth from them?”
“It’s my family,” Verity pointed out to him. “You wouldn’t understand.”
He offered no other reaction. “My apologies, Verity. If your brother doesn’t return this evening, I’ll be certain to send you a missive. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Verity stewed over other parting words but didn’t have a chance. Dominic had turned away. Slipping through the door again, he traded places with the assistant who squeaked out an offer of tea.
“No, thank you. I will… I will be on my way.”
Standing there another moment, Verity moved her balance to her other hip. She crossed her arms as a chill settled around her. Nothing felt right. It was a strange room here, and even her body didn’t feel right any longer. Nothing felt right.
Usually, she preferred to be alone. But she had rarely ever felt alone as she did now.
Verity didn’t know what to do. She glanced at the door where her brother and husband had disappeared into. There was a heavy ache inside her chest as she left the building, knowing there was nothing she could do.
A woman never has enough power here. It is only the gentlemen who can make change in person. At least I have my journal. And now I have my prayers for them that we can have a miracle.
She hastened home, delivering her horse to the groom before walking inside.
There in the parlor were her three siblings. Lucien had taken the two girls to a race. Octavia was acting out a silly story from some accident she must have seen while there, the other two smiling and nodding along.
“And when he landed in the mud, his eyes grew three sizes!” Octavia laughed as she widened her eyes with her fingers and looked around. She glimpsed Verity. “Oh, Verity! Whatever are you doing here? Did we have plans I forgot about again?”
“No, I was… I was… With…”
Verity slowly walked into the room as she recalled her conversation with Dominic. The way he had looked at her when she told him she wouldn’t tell her family about their uncle. Because it would only hurt them. So, it was best that she protect them, to control the narrative that would…
Control. What am I thinking? Of course I cannot do this. I don’t know what I was thinking. It isn’t right for me to get upset at Dominic only to do the same thing to my family. No, they deserve the truth as well.
She swallowed hard. The lump remained in her throat. But she didn’t let it prevent her from pulling the folded paper out of her pockets. Her intention had been to burn it. Instead, she brought it over to Elowen who stood to accept the letter.
“What is it?” Her soft-spoken sister asked.
“It’s a letter from Cassian.” Verity forced a deep breath and nodded at her. “Please read it aloud for them to hear as well.”
Elowen nodded even as confusion had her furrowing her brow.
“Certainly. ‘Dearest family. It has come to my awareness that my actions intended for protecting this family may have caused more harm than I could have ever intended. It is with great regret that I find myself in the position to share a hidden truth that will change your perspective of our family forevermore.’”
Sinking into a nearby chair, Verity closed her eyes and slumped as she listened faintly to her sister. Her thoughts wandered back again to Dominic.
He was trying to help her brother. That had surprised her to see him coming out like that. And yet… He was very good at helping people. He had a tendency to help her, didn’t he? No matter the risk or the consequences.
A tingling sensation ran down her spine while she reflected on the man she had married. It didn’t make sense. He always seemed to know as much as she did, if not more. That was particularly puzzling. Especially since he did so little with the information.
“He what?” Octavia’s voice broke as she clapped her hands over her mouth.
Sitting down, Lucien pulled out a handkerchief to offer it to her. He appeared stunned but said nothing. As Verity mulled over her thoughts, she could only shake her head to their questions. Part of her wasn’t certain she knew anything any longer.
Why is Dominic helping after all that I said to him? I made all these demands and he never… He didn’t stop me. When I reached out to him so quickly after leaving, he still made a response by going to the magistrate.
Verity felt a sinking sensation in her gut regarding the potential to be horribly wrong about him. There was her husband risking everything just to help her brother.
And he wasn’t asking for anything from her in return.
How wrong could I have been?
The more she thought matters through, the more Verity discovered she had impressed ideas on him over fact. Dominic hadn’t controlled her. He asked her to do so little. There were not demands, only concerns. If anything, he was leaving doors open for her to make her own choices every time.
Clapping a hand over her mouth, she held back a sudden sob. Emotions clattered over her shoulder and weighed down her heart. A fresh wave of fear washed over her as she considered there was so much more at stake now. She had set herself up to lose her husband just as she might lose her brother.
Why did Dominic let me do so much? Say all of that? Would he let me go? What if I don’t really wish to be apart from him?
“Oh!” Octavia swept over to her side, kneeling down and grabbing her at the waist. “Oh, Verity, I’m certain we will sort matters out!”
The others had been talking all the while. Verity didn’t know where the conversation had gone. Now her vision blurred with tears. She sniffed and tried to keep her breathing as steady as possible. Only it hurt to inhale.
“Everything has gone wrong,” she whispered.
How was she supposed to make everything right again? There was so much unknown right now. She wondered if it was too late.