Page 57 of Her Duke Next Door
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“Katie, dear, you have frosting on your nose,” Dominique laughed.
The following day they were in the tea shop where Dominique had indeed promised the girls cake.
Mary watched Eloise’s expression as they all indulged in a fine array of cakes.
“I like strawberry best,” Katie said.
“Mine is lemon!” Eloise answered. “What is your favorite, Papa?”
Dominique thought about it for a moment. “Ah, I must admit I also have a fondness for strawberry flavor cakes.” His eyes flickered to Mary’s, holding her gaze for a moment, his hazel eyes meeting her green ones. “It is rather like a blush color. I find that… Endearing.”
“Your papa is strange sometimes,” Eloise whispered to Katie, who only giggled.
“I know,” she answered in a hushed voice. “But we must be nice to him so he will buy us more cake!”
“Agreed.”
Mary laughed and Dominique shook his head.
“Ah, children,” he murmured to her as the girls ran off to pick more cake.
“Their minds are so innocent,” Mary said. “They think they shall not be heard if they whisper.”
Dominique looked at Katie wistfully. “I must admit I am often jealous of that child-like innocence and wonder. It makes one miss it, does it not? They do not have to yet know the burdens of the world and its cruelties.”
He looked back at Mary.
What cruelties have happened to you, Dominique? She wanted to ask.
“I agree,” she answered quietly, glancing away. She fidgeted with the fork stem to give herself something to do other than to overthink the things she did not yet know.I shall be told soon, she reminded herself. “I have written to my brother.”
“Ah, Christian?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Not long after he visited us for my nephew’s birthday he went on an extended trip to France. My mother is beside herself with worry that he might meet a French maid and never return.” She laughed. “And, knowing my brother, he might just do that. He is the perfect image of a man but… I believe he holds some grudges against my parents for their past behavior.” She lifted her shoulders. “They did not shield my siblings and I from their arguments. So I believe he might seek some things that they would approve of to break that shape of being their prodigal son. Theironlyson.”
“I rather enjoyed his company,” Dominique said. “He is well-minded. Broadly-taught.”
“He went on a tour of Europe several years ago,” Mary told him. “He came back rather mature. He and Alexander?—”
“The Duke of Winsor.”
“That’s correct. They are best friends. So, when Christian discovered their relationship… He was not very happy. But he adjusted quite well, I must admit. We all wanted Anne’s happiness to be our priority.”
“I can imagine itdidcause some distress,” Dominique said. “He would have been protective of her.” He smiled at her, that roguish smile that she enjoyed appearing when it was in her direction. “Is Christian protective of you?”
“Oh, undoubtedly so,” Mary said.
“What does he think of our marriage?”
Mary thought about her answer for a moment. “He has seen me unhappy for a long time. I believe he shall be happy to know I am happy.”
And as she said it she realized shewas. This was the perfect family image she had always craved but never got.
“You are happy?” Dominique asked, as though surprised.
“Yes, I find that I am,” she admitted. And then, because Eloise and Katie were returning with full hands of more plates, she let herself be vulnerable for another second. “I can see this being my future, Dominique.”
