Few people in the family had not been on the receiving end of his grandmother’s driving personality, and no one had refused her in living memory.
“That is true. What of you Caverton?” Dominic asked, looking at Frederick.
“I can hardly refuse; it is my estate after all.” Frederick laughed and then ran a hand through his hair. “Although, in truth, it still feels very much like grandmama’s in reality. She insists that it is mine to do with as I like, yet she does have a talent for seeming to make my decisions her own.”
“She is probably preparing you for married life. After all, I am told that is what a wife does.” Thomas laughed.
“Well, it is a good thing that I have no intention of getting married just yet. One woman interfering in my life is more than enough.” Frederick shook his head, but Dominic caught sight of a smile playing across his lips.
Something dawned on Dominic just then, and he realised that his grandmother had indeed invited plenty of single people to her Dowager Dabbles. Then he recalled what she had said about him being a rake.
He slapped a hand to his forehead in understanding. “That is why she did not want me there. Not because I am single, but because she thinks I am a rake. And she hates it. It is not some worry about her money going to the crown.”
“Very few people want their duchies to go to the crown. Or their fortunes. It’s impossible to get either back,” Frederick pointed out. “It is probably the one thing that will inspire me to get married… at some point anyway.”
“Besides, you are not actually single,” Thomas pointed out.
“Yes, good point, I expect if your fiancée heard you say that, you might be in for an earful.” Frederick gave him a sidelong look.
“Which reminds me, why on Earth did you not tell us you were courting? I thought you had sworn off marriage entirely.” Thomas sounded hurt.
“Because I am not courting. I am not actually engaged,” Dominic admitted.
“You lied to grandmama?” Frederick sounded shocked.
“Yes.” Dominic shrugged, his face colouring slightly.
“You are either very brave or very stupid.” Thomas shook his head.
“I like to think he is both.” Frederick laughed softly.
“What exactly are you going to do? She is already telling everyone you will be there with a fiancée.” Thomas folded his arms across his chest, concern clear on his face.
“I will be.” Dominic said.
“But you just told us you were not engaged.” Frederick frowned.
“I am not,” Dominic answered.
“But —” Frederick began but Dominic cut him off.
He glanced around them before saying, “I am telling you both this as neither of you seems to be particularly invested in the outcome of the Dabbles.”
“I do not need Grandmama’s money. I am not even Marquess yet, but I know the estate is doing well.” Thomas shrugged.
“As is Caverton. We have not had the same problems that yo— others in the family have faced.” Frederick coloured slightly, and Dominic knew he had been about to say, ‘yours’.
It was well known that Verimore’s two previous Dukes had been unwell, each spending most of their money on medicines and other healing arts. And while they had been caring for their health, the estate had been mismanaged to near bankruptcy.
“No indeed, few of the family have shared in my line’s fate,” Dominic said, stiffly.Though I have managed to pull us back from the brink, Verimore is by no means flourishing.
“And there is nothing to say that you will share in it either, Cousin.” Thomas gently squeezed his shoulder.
“That is as may be, but the one person whom weknowis dying is grandmother.” Dominic shrugged out of Thomas’ grip.
“Allegedly,” Frederick said.
“Yes. But as I was saying, I have a plan for these games, and I mean to win them.” Dominic took a deep breath and told his cousins all about Charlotte.
