Page 75 of Her Duke Next Door
“Are there any other places you can think of to look?” Alexander asked.
Helplessly, Dominique shook his head. “We have exhausted all places we could think of. I can provide you with a list of establishments she may have been interested to snoop in but some of them she would not have been permitted access to due to her age. Please do all you can, Alexander. She is only ten years old. My daughter is out there somewhere.”
“She is,” he affirmed. “And that way I shall find her.”
* * *
Alexander was right: itwasthe hardest thing to do, to simply return home and wait for the news. Dominique paced before the mantelpiece in the dining room.
Mary picked at some toast, no longer having an appetite. She had asked Bernie to keep Eloise distracted so she was not in the middle of their turmoil and was kept from worrying as much as possible.
“There must besomethingwe can do!” Dominique said, his jaw tight. “I cannot stand this helpless feeling. It is like a duck waiting to be shot with bad news.”
“We do not know that yet.”
“I trusted you with her,” Dominique said quietly. “I do not blame you, as I know how mischievous Katie can be if she thinks she can get away with something but I had hoped you would keep a better eye on her.”
“Perhaps if you had been a better father in her earlier years and kept an eye on her instead of traveling and losing yourself to women then she would not have a penchant for mischievous ways.”
The old, angry accusation slipped from Mary’s tongue almost without her approving it.
She stared in shock at Dominique. “I am sorry. I did not mean that. Please forgive me.”
“No, you did mean it,” he said. “And I do not blame you.”
“I should have not been so harsh.” She paused. “Dominique, about earlier… You asked me to leave, to get out of your sight. Do you wish for me to leave Livingston Castle?”
Dominique did not look at her for a long, long time.
“I do not know where we stand,” Mary said, her tone desperate. “I feel uneasy. Your return was supposed to be joyous, where I had planned to declare my love for you and invite you into my bed.”
Dominque’s jaw clenched. “Mary, I know you mean well, and I am sorry I am causing you to be uneasy and unsettled but my only focus is my daughter right now. Your distrust in me has caused some old wounds to open. I apologize if I cannot have this conversation just yet.”
He turned his gaze on her, seeing how helpless she looked, her hands wringing in distress.
“I love you endlessly,” he said. “And all I wished for while I was gone was to return and hear you say that to me. My trip was delayed due to needing to speak with extra tenants who might buy the property we built. I asked Alexander if he would take over, as I knew my delay might cause distress, but he would not.”
Mary stood up, nodding. “I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.” She looked at him. “But all I ask to know is if my future with you is secure.”
“Because of my protection?” he asked, his brow puckering with emotion.
“No,” she said. “Because I love you, Dominique. Please inform me in the morning if you wish me to leave permanently.”
With that, she retreated to her own room where she lay down on her bed and considered what to do about anything that had transpired.
* * *
The following morning, the Duke did not bang her door down, demanding she and Eloise pack their bags.
No, instead, he awaited her for breakfast, where a letter waited for her by her plate.
“Good morning,” he said. “Alexander has reported that sightings were indeed seen of Katie in London. I do not know how she got there but he is digging up everything he can.” He nodded to the letter. “This arrived for you this morning.”
Dominique swallowed and looked away. “It is yours to open in private if you wish. I am sorry for my behavior yesterday, Mary. I was harsh and angry, and, quite honestly, I could not look past my old life to see you. I should not have accused you of betraying me. I wish to protect you always, and I lost sight of caring for your feelings over my own protectiveness. If you will forgive me then I would like for you and Eloise to remain here. I want to stay by your side, Mary. I have thought of nothing but my daughter and this decision.”
