Page 85 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“I would like to invite you to stay the night in one of my guest rooms,” he told him. “You may freshen up here. We shall send for a change of clothes for you. Should you wish to join us for dinner this evening, along with you, Thomas, then I would be grateful for us to restart your return home in a better manner.”
He nodded at the two men and spared Veronica another longing glance before he strode out.
“I shall enquire about those clothes,” Thomas said, slinking out of the parlor after Henry.
It left the two siblings alone. Robert rose just as Veronica did. Distance and time spanned between them, the air thick with words.
“Brother,” Veronica sighed, smiling, “may we start over too?”
“It is not you I am upset with,” he grumbled. And then a small smile spread across his face. “So, you best come over here and embrace me, sister, before I change my mind.”
She flew at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She let out a small, giddy laugh, even as she cried into his shoulder. He smelled terrible.
“Did you not get a chance to bathe before Mr. Shawcross found you?” she muttered.
“Regretfully, no,” he laughed. “Apologies to Mr. Shawcross when he returns to his carriage. I am sure it will be unpleasant.”
“Mama will want to see you,” Veronica said, drawing back. “We shall visit her together soon.”
“Veronica,” Robert interrupted, “I know you are excited, but I think I should meet with Mother alone. I have much to explain to her and a lot to apologize for. I fear she will say less if you are there. She has always felt a need to protect us, and you more so as her daughter. I need to understand, truly, what has happened this past year.”
Veronica paused before nodding. Her own reunion with them both could come soon, but Robert was right. For a long time, Veronica had been in the dark about the dealings with Lord Barwicke and her mother. Robert would need to know everything.
“I shall agree only if you take up the Duke’s offer of joining us for dinner.”
Robert nodded. “I shall. If only because I am tired and weary and cannot bear to travel again. At least for a while. I wish to sleep for a very long time after my ordeal.”
“You must tell us all about it at dinner.” She sighed and hugged him again. “Robert, I am so happy to have you return home.” She drew back again, cupping her brother’s face. “You have grown so thin!”
“And you are worrying about me, sister? Nonsense. I am your older brother. It is my role to take care of you.” He looked away sheepishly. “The Duke was right about that. I was overeager and entitled and chased money before thinking of my family. I did not take care of you as I ought to have done, and I am sorry for that. I am sorry for everything my absence has brought upon you and our mother.”
Veronica smiled at him, and they sat back down, picking up their teacups. “Time shall heal everything, do you not think?”
“Indeed,” he answered. “I am grateful for your patience and your forgiveness, and I understand I have a lot of making up to dowith you both.” He laughed humorlessly. “I can only hope Mama won’t be too angry. I hope her to be happier that I am not dead than angry I am alive and committed such reckless acts.”
Veronica laughed, moving to sit next to her brother. She tucked away a torn piece of his shirt. “I am sure she will be very happy to see you. But for now, you must rest and bathe. You must eat and enjoy the fact that you have returned, for I know I shall. And the Duke will no doubt serve the best wine.”
Robert pulled a face, and Veronica was stricken. “I never thought I would say this, but I have had quite enough wine to last me a lifetime, Veronica. And when I tell you why, you shall very much understand and possibly laugh. Now, will the Duchess of Westley be so kind as to show me where I can retire to until dinner?”
“Of course,” she said.
“I cannot believe this is your home,” he said. “I cannot believe you are a duchess, and I had no hand in it.”
“Do you truly need more bolstering to your ego? I can take the credit for securing such a fortunate thing alone.”
“Oh, you can, can you?” he teased, and for a moment, it was like they were young again, laughing playfully as they chased one another and blamed one another for mishaps.
“Yes,” she answered. “For it was me who approached the Duke, after all.”
With that, she strode out, knowing he would follow. She greatly hoped he would rethink his anger that Henry had approached Veronica without a cause.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“You are my wife.” Henry’s voice startled her from her reverie. “You may enter my room, do you not know?”
After she showed her brother to his guest room, she immediately sought out Henry. He was in the bathroom of his chambers, and Veronica lingered in the doorway, unsure if she could enter.
“I am merely enjoying my view from back here.”
