Page 65 of Her Duke Next Door
In the carriage, Dominique waited with Katie, and as soon as he set his eyes on her, Mary felt that now-familiar swoop of her stomach, a flutter of adoration. She smiled, blushing, as she climbed into the carriage.
“You are looking beautiful today,” Dominique told her quietly in her ear. The two of them sat next to one another closely, while Eloise and Katie sat opposite them, eyeing them both up with knowing smiles.
As they started off toward the beach where they had planned a picnic, Dominique began talking.
“Your brother has written to me on the last day,” he told Mary. “He writes of business and wishes to speak with me so I might visit him later tonight. Would you accompany me?”
“Of course,” she said. “Did he say what business?”
“Only that a handsome proposal has come up and he wishes to let Alexander and I have a look at it.”
“I see,” Mary answered. “Then I shall accompany you. It has been a while since I saw Anne and my mother.”
“Can we come, too?” Eloise asked. “I miss Grandpapa.”
“Of course,” Mary said. “We shall go as a family.”
Dominique linked his fingers through hers. “Yes, we shall.”
* * *
Summer was quickly approaching, warming the sand on the beach. Mary had not often visited the beach, not since she was a little girl, but as soon as they stepped out, Katie tore off her shoes and began to run along the sand.
“Katie! Do not go in the water!”
“Yes, Papa!”
“Mama, can I go too?” Eloise asked, her fingers already on her shoes as if she could not wait a moment longer to join her stepsister.
“Of course,” she said. “Just be careful. And do not step on any sharp shells or rocks. Stay close.”
As the girls ran off to play, Mary began to unpack their picnic basket. Silence descended between them.
“I have known my fair share of uncomfortable silences,” Mary said. “But somehow the silences with you never quite feel like that. They feel somewhat companionable.”
Dominique turned to her, smiling. “They say that being able to sit in comfortable silence with somebody is one of life’s rarest joys.”
“Of course, you would agree with that,” she giggled. Dominique pretended to look affronted, clasping his hand to his chest.
“Are you mocking my solitude, wife?”
“No more than I mock my own.” She laughed quietly. “I think Christian was the only other person who I could sit in silence with. Anne talks a lot so the room is rarely silent with her, as does my mother. My papa is always complaining about one thing or another. But Christian was a thinker. He often would lapse into his quiet moments.”
“It truly is a skill,” Dominique acknowledged. “Perhaps that is why I like Christian. We get on pleasantly.”
“Good,” Mary said. “It makes me happy to know that.”
He paused. “Mary, do you not ever wish you had the chance to meet my family? Both my parents have passed, as have my grandparents. I believe I have an aunt in France and an uncle whose location is not known to me. I have cousins and nieces and nephews in the world whom you could meet. WhomIcould meet. Does this not worry you?”
Mary leaned in to kiss him chastely. “I have taken you as you are, Dominique, and that makes me incredibly happy.”
He glanced around the beach, his face brightening as he looked back at her mischievously. “It is a shame that we did not bring Bernie with us.”
“How so?” Mary unwrapped the sandwiches that had been packed before bringing out baskets of fruit and other snacks.
“Because she could watch our daughters while I took you back to the carriage to ravish you.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “How scandalous, Your Grace,” she teased.
