Page 37 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
With a shared laugh, the trio finished their breakfast. Dominic figured he would read the morning newspaper in the library, then perhaps indulge in a good book, until he was allowed to join the female party. He had to admit, he didn’t believe that his aunt would take such a liking to Catherine. Then again, who could not like Catherine? She was pure perfection. That was why he couldn’t accept anyone else as his wife, other than her. That was why he was willing to stoop so low in order to make her his wife.
But there she was, obviously enjoying herself.But that isn’t because of you,he reminded himself. It was Aunt Penelope who was responsible for Catherine’s good mood. Not him. Still, he welcomed this change.
He wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to have Catherine happy all the time because that was what she deserved. She didn’t deserve to be blackmailed into a marriage, but to have someone worship the ground beneath her feet. He wanted to be that man for her, if only she would let him.
“If you are done, my dear, we could head out into the garden,” Aunt Penelope said to Catherine.
“Yes, I’m ready,” Catherine smiled. She glanced quickly in his direction, and he wondered what that glance meant. She didn’t smile at him, but she wasn’t serious either. That glance was a message. Only, he wasn’t sure what it meant.
“Enjoy yourselves, you two,” he waved them goodbye as he followed them with his gaze out of the dining hall.
Once he was alone, he inhaled deeply. This place had always been a home for him. And it would always remain a home, even though he was living somewhere else now.
But this was where his childhood days were spent, by the side of the woman who had always been like a mother to him. He would never be able to repay her for all the love, kindness and tenderness she showered him with while he was a boy. And not only then, but now as well, as an adult. The thought of her growing old and ill frightened him beyond belief. He tried not to think about it.
What he said before was true. He had two wonderful women by his side, and he didn’t need anything or anyone else. It was true that Catherine didn’t think him the best of men. Not even close. But hopefully, he would be given the chance to prove her wrong.
All he needed was one brave act, where she would see that he would not even hesitate to help her, to save her, to give up his life for hers. But all of that said in words meant nothing. Words were empty. Actions provided proof, and that was what he needed. Hopefully, he would be able to prove himself worthy of her trust, her affection, and eventually, her love.
He hastily got up, grabbed the newspapers, and headed to the library. He was certain that he wouldn’t be able to focus on a single article in there, but he would at least try. He had to.
***
“Thank you for joining me, my dear,” Aunt Penelope said gratefully, as the two of them stepped out into the garden.
“Oh, don’t mention it,” Catherine smiled, looking around. “Your garden is breathtaking.”
“Why, thank you, dear,” Aunt Penelope replied. “I owe it all to my gardeners. They are the magicians of this unearthly place.”
As they continued walking, they were enveloped by a kaleidoscope of colors and scents that danced on the gentle breeze. The garden stretched out before them like a verdant paradise, its paths winding through a tapestry of lush greenery and vibrant blooms.
Towering trees arched overhead, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of leaves, bathing the garden in a soft, golden glow that seemed to imbue everything with a sense of magic and wonder.
The air around them was alive with the hum of bees and the thrill of songbirds, their melodies mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves to create a symphony of nature’s own making. Fragrant blossoms perfumed the air, their heady scents spreading all around.
Catherine’s eyes widened in wonder as she took in the breathtaking beauty of her surroundings. Everywhere she looked, there was something new and enchanting to uncover. There was a riot of colors, a hidden nook, a fragrant bloom, begging to be admired. All the while, Aunt Penelope le the way with a serene smile, her steps slow and deliberate as she, too, savored each moment spent in this idyllic oasis.
“So, I understand that what you and my nephew have is a whirlwind romance,” Aunt Penelope spoke tenderly, with a slightly teasing note as they strolled.
Catherine was caught off guard for just a moment, but regained her composure instantly. “I suppose you could say that, yes.”
“Ah, young love,” Aunt Penelope spoke as if she, too, was remembering someone she loved dearly, someone who was notthere any longer. But Catherine was too polite to pry with such personal questions. Instead, she was glad to answer them instead.
“Cherish it,” Aunt Penelope continued. “Life can be cruel. It can take away those you love in a blink of an eye. After all, that is what happened to Dominic’s parents.”
“His parents?” Catherine echoed. Only then did she realize that he had never spoken of them, just like she had never spoken of hers. They kept that part of their lives a secret from each other.
“Yes,” Aunt Penelope nodded. “He hasn’t told you about it?”
Catherine tried to save what little she could save of the situation so that Aunt Penelope wouldn’t get suspicious. “I mean, he did tell me that they died, but he didn’t go into much detail. I could tell that it was too painful for him.”
“Yes,” Aunt Penelope repeated, her voice tinged with sadness. “It was a difficult time for him. He was just a boy of ten when he lost both his parents. They were robbed on their way home from a ball one evening. But that wasn’t enough for the robbers. We’ve assumed that Dominic’s father tried to defend his wife, to save her, and that was when they killed them both.”
“My goodness,” Catherine gasped, pressing her hand to her lips. She couldn’t even imagine that something so horrible had happened to him.
“That sweet boy was far too young to bear such a heavy burden,” Aunt Penelope sighed.
Catherine’s heart ached at the thought of a young boy enduring such a loss at such a tender age. In fact, she understood him better than anyone else because it happened to her and her brother as well. They knew how he felt then, and they also knew how he felt now.
