Page 46 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
“Well,” he said, suddenly pulling away, almost as if he had remembered something. “Enjoy your breakfast. Aunt Penelope said she would come after you’re done to play some cards.”
“And you?” she asked hopefully.
“I… I need to write some letters and have them sent out immediately,” he clarified. “Business letters.”
“Oh, I see,” she nodded. “I understand.”
“But I might join you later,” he added. He turned to the tray, taking it and placing it gently into her lap. “Is that all right?”
“Perfect,” she beamed at him. “Thank you.”
“Well… enjoy,” he smiled, walking out of the door and closing it behind him.
She poured some tea and started sipping it slowly, savoring the delicate flavors of her breakfast. At the same time, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was a shift in their relationship, ignited by this unfortunate event. The simple act of bringingher breakfast in bed spoke volumes about his character and his obvious concern for her well-being.
As she nibbled on a flaky pastry, her mind wandered back to their conversation just moments before. Him feeling guilty about what had happened touched her deeply, and she found herself admiring him more and more.
Just as she was getting lost in her thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted her. Her heart fluttered, thinking Dominic had returned.
“Yes?” she answered, but when the door opened, she saw the cheerful face of his aunt. “Aunt Penelope, good morning.”
“Good morning, my dear,” the lady gushed, then her eyes widened at the tray in her lap. “My, my, my. How lovely that looks!”
“Yes,” Catherine smiled. “Dominic brought it up just now.”
“Dominic?” the lady smiled with a nod. “I’m glad to see he has learned how to treat a lady.”
“It would seem so,” Catherine blushed, nodding. She noticed the cards in Aunt Penelope’s hand. “Shall we play?”
Aunt Penelope seemed to remember only then why she had come in the first place. She glanced at her hands, as if she were seeing the cards for the first time. Then she looked back at Catherine. “Oh, yes, of course! Silly me! That’s why I came to you, to see if you were in the mood for some card games and some local gossip.”
“Why not?” Catherine chuckled, making herself more comfortable in the bed, so that Aunt Penelope could sit next to her. “What are we playing?”
Chapter 23
Still in his aunt’s home, Dominic enclosed himself in his late uncle’s study, which had become his own after the man’s death. He was sitting at the writing table, his quill poised in his hand, as he carefully crafted his words on the parchment before him. He wanted to have the letter sent as soon as possible.
With each stroke of the quill, he poured out his thoughts, penning a letter to Catherine’s brother.
Dear Lord Stanhope,
I hope this letter finds you well. I write to you with a tale of adventure and misfortune, though I am pleased to report that all is well in the end.
During a recent outing, Catherine and I found ourselves in the midst of an unexpected escapade. While horseback riding, Catherine suffered a minor mishap, having sprained her ankle while falling off a horse. Rest assured, it was nothing serious, and she is on the mend as we speak, staying with my aunt, Lady Penelope Huntington.
I must confess, the responsibility for this misadventure falls squarely on my shoulders, as it was my idea to embark on this excursion. I gave you my word that I would take good care ofyour sister, and it seems that I have fallen short, for which I apologize. But as you yourself know, Catherine’s indomitable spirit always shines brightly, even in the face of adversity.
However, now that she has been advised to rest, she has expressed a desire to see you, prompting me to write this letter with a heartfelt invitation to visit us here, at Huntington Manor. I have no doubt that your presence would bring her much joy and comfort during this time.
With warm regards,
Dominic Worthington
Duke of Fairhaven
With a final flourish of the quill, Dominic sealed the letter with wax and affixed his family’s crest upon it. As he set it aside to dry, he couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation that welled within him. He hoped that Reginald would accept his invitation and come to visit, despite what had happened between them.
He knew that Reginald didn’t think him a good man. In fact, Dominic didn’t think himself a good man, after what he had done. But he hoped that he would be able to make amends. And what better way to start with Reginald than to invite him over and talk to him, prove to him that he was being a good, dutiful husband?
