Page 56 of Her Duke Next Door
“I will be right there, darling!” Mary called, setting down her embroidery. She gathered her skirts and headed outside to the garden, where childish, happy cries filled the air, alongside Dominique’s yells.
“I shall catch you!” he called, arms outstretched as Katie darted back around the thick tree trunk. “You cannot escape me again!”
“You are too slow for me!” Katie cried, grinning. Mary placed a hand on Eloise’s shoulder as the two watched.
“I like him, Mama,” Eloise commented. “I think he is trying more with Katie. Only yesterday he said he would set up a visit to the tea shop for her and me so we can choose any dessert we wish for dinner! I would like strawberry.”
“Am I invited?” Mary asked with a smile.
“If you wish. Then we can all have cake!”
“Do not forget to thank the Duke for his kindness, Eloise,” Mary reminded her softly as the girl ran off to join Katie. Dominique stripped off his jacket as the afternoon grew warmer, and Mary called for cold lemonade to refresh their thirsts.
The Duke strode up to where Mary sat watching beneath the shade of the terrace. “Mary.” He nodded his greeting. “I did not realize you had come out to join us.”
“It looks like you are having fun,” she said, gesturing for him to sit next to her. When he did, she pushed one of the glasses of lemonade toward him. “It is nice to hear Katie’s laughter.”
At that, Dominique ducked his head. “I am ashamed that, as her father, I have not brought enough laughter to her life.”
Mary hesitated before placing her hand over his where he had begun to reach for his glass. “You still have time, Dominique. As long as you can endure whatever chases you out of the door when the urge arises to leave her behind, you can always try to be a good father to her.”
He swallowed, nodding sharply before lifting his chin. “Yes. Well…”
Take off your mask, she wished to ask.Let me see what is underneath. Show me the vulnerability you are scared to reveal.
“I shall be good to her,” he vowed. “It is what I promise myself every time I return.”
“May I ask why you leave her behind?” Mary asked. “Why not take her on your travels? Why leave at all?”
“Ah. I do believe that is a rather sensitive question, Mary,” he answered. “I would not wish to darken such a beautiful day with the woes of my past.” He glanced sideways at her. “But one day I will. Soon. I wish to confide in you, Mary.”
What else do you wish to do? She wanted to ask.Do you wish to go further with me than all we did several nights ago?
She put those thoughts from her head. There was little point in taunting herself.
Yet one question remained stubborn:does he find me undesirable since pleasuring me?Perhaps I did not react how he wished. Perhaps I did not?—
“Mary?”
“Yes?” Her voice came out strained.
“It appears there is something on your mind,” Dominique assessed with a knowing lift of his brow. He propped his chin on his fist, a smirk on his face. “You have developed quite an impressive blush.”
“Nothing is on my mind,” she muttered.At least, nothing that is not pure foolishness.“I still wish to know the ghosts of your past.”
“And I yours,” he told her, authority ringing in her voice. “Soon? I shall take you out to the theater. We should be seen in society as a couple again, no? I think it would also make our daughters rather happy to know we are spending some time together. They can remain here with Bernie.”
“The theater?” Mary echoed.
Dominique laughed. “Yes. Youarefamiliar with it, I gather?”
“Of course I am,” she snapped. “It has only been quite some time since I was invited on… On something like this.”
“I shall ensure you are well equipped with whatever attire you wish.”
“I have quite the collection of gowns, thank you,” she said, somewhat pouting. If only because she had gained her independence these last few years. She did not need him to provide gowns for her. She had beautiful ones already. “I should like to attend the theater with you.”
“And afterward, if you would like to promenade with me along the river then I shall tell you anything you wish to know.”
