Page 44 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
Dominic exchanged a helpless glance with Catherine. It was obvious that they both agreed that a sprained ankle was nothing too demanding, and Catherine could easily travel with a carriage back to their home, where she could rest. After all, did it matterin whose home she was resting? Obviously, it mattered to his aunt, so he simply agreed.
“Well, if you are certain that it won’t be an imposition,” he said with an amused shrug.
“Imposition? When is family an imposition?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips. “Now, I shall go and fetch some tea, the three of us can sit here, and you can tell me the entire story of how this unfortunate event happened.”
“It is all Dominic’s fault,” Catherine said still a little weakly, but she said it with such determination following with an impish smile that it made everyone chuckle.
“Oh, I see how this is going to be,” Dominic playfully threatened her with his index finger. “You two will band together against me.”
“That depends, my dear,” his aunt replied, resisting a chuckle. “On whether Catherine is right.”
“Of course she is not,” Dominic responded, much to the amusement of both ladies. “But a man cannot stand against two women and be right.”
This made the ladies laugh again, after which his aunt waved her hand at him. “I shall go fetch that tea. It should give you enough time to come up with a good strategy to prove your point.”
In those words, she left the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Dominic and Catherine alone. He locked eyes with hers.
“I… I was merely joking,” she explained, blushing softly.
He walked over to her and caressed her cheek with his hand. He loved it when she became all rosy like that. He thought she might flinch or move away, but she didn’t.
“I know,” he smiled. “And don’t think that I will say you won the race just because you sprained your ankle.”
Her eyes narrowed in mock shock, but a smile danced on the corner of her lips at all times. “You villain!” she exclaimed, making them both chuckle.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so comfortable around someone. He almost didn’t recognize that sensation. How could he, when he never felt about anyone as he felt about her?
Chapter 22
Catherine woke up the following morning, nestled in her bed as the warmth of the covers enveloped her. Though she felt fine overall, a dull ache in her ankle served as a reminder of the events of the previous day.
As she lay there, her thoughts drifted back to the moment when Dominic had come to her aid after her fall. She lost consciousness quickly after the fall, but she saw him dismount his horse and rush to her. There was not a single doubt in his mind as to what he needed to do.
She couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards him. Despite their differences and the complexities of their relationship, he had been there when she needed him the most, and she found herself strangely touched by his gesture.
With a faint smile tugging at her lips, Catherine kept reflecting on the events of the previous day, feeling strangely exuberant. Staying there in Aunt Penelope’s home longer than anticipated also filled her with joy. She didn’t want to be a part of the London hustle and bustle, where she would be forced to attend balls and smile at people she didn’t know. She felt as if, despite her injury or perhaps, exactly because of it, she was exactly where she needed to be.
At that moment, she heard the soft rap of knuckles on her chamber door. She turned her attention towards the entrance.
“Yes?” she called out.
The doors swung open to reveal Dominic, a tray of breakfast delicacies balanced expertly in his hands.
“Good morning,” he said cheerfully.
“It would seem that it is,” she replied playfully. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this breakfast surprise?”
Her gaze rested on the tray, which was adorned with an array of delights, meticulously arranged to both tempt the palate and please the eye. A delicate china teapot, decorated with intricate floral patterns, steamed gently, releasing the fragrant aroma of freshly brewed tea. Beside it, a dainty cup and saucer waited, their delicate porcelain handles gleaming in the soft morning light.
Adjacent to the teapot, a small dish of honey and a pitcher of cream stood ready to accompany the tea, offering a touch of sweetness to the morning repast. Next to them, a selection of freshly baked pastries beckoned enticingly, their golden crusts glistening with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Completing the ensemble, a small plate held a selection of ripe fruits, their vibrant colors adding a splash of natural beauty to the tableau. From plump strawberries and juicy apricots, each piece seemed to whisper promises of even more sweetness. Seeing all that, Catherine didn’t know what to say. With a warm smile, Dominic set the tray down on a nearby table, his eyes meeting hers.
“Well, seeing you are unable to walk down the stairs and have breakfast in the dining hall, then breakfast needs to be brought to you,” he explained gently.
“Oh,” she smiled. “That is most kind of you.”
“That, and…” he added, scratching the back of his neck in a mischievously boyish manner. “I suppose you could also say it is a gesture of contrition.” His tone was light, yet tinged with genuine remorse.
