“What do you think of her opinion?” He had turned so that his knee was on the sofa and he was facing her.
“I think she might be right. As you and Grace both pointed out, I do believe in second chances. I really did not believe I had been afraid. I was never in any danger. I always thought I was more irritated that he was trying to make me miss my betrothal ball and make you doubt me.”
“But?”
Dotty took a larger sip of wine. “I have decided to let him talk to me.”
Dom inclined his head. “I think that is a good idea. When he can talk, that is.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I told you he had a head injury.” She nodded. “He is unconscious. Apparently he bled a great deal. While you were gone, Henrietta sent for another gown because hers was bloody.”
“Oh no!” Dotty covered her mouth. As angry as she still was with him, she had not wanted him harmed. “Will he live?”
“I saw Daintree, and he thinks Fotherby will be all right, but we must wait and see.”
She had thought her sister was there simply to lend moral support. “Henrietta must be frantic with worry.”
“Not she.” Dom barked a laugh. “Apparently she entered the house, introduced herself, and started giving orders to the staff, as well as cleaning and bandaging the wound. They are all quite impressed.” He gazed steadily at Dotty. “The footman who accompanied them said Fotherby saved Henrietta from being stabbed with a knife.”
And she still took things in hand. Dom had not exaggerated when he compared Henrietta to Mama, Grandmamma, and Dotty. How had she not seen the strength in her own sister? “When will she be home?”
Her husband raised a brow. “That will depend on you. I know you are still not happy about the wedding.”
“No, I am not.” Even after everything Dotty had been told, she still could not bring herself to forgive him. She decided to tell him the other piece of information she had learned while at Worthington House. “There is something else that might interest you.”
“What is that?”
“Grace thinks I might very well be carrying twins.”
He jumped up and stared at Dotty. “Twins?”
She nodded. “We are due within a month of each other, and we are about the same size around. She said that would explain my moodiness and why I am not sleeping well.”
He dragged a hand down his face. “I am definitely taking you home as soon as possible.”
“Yes, well.” She grimaced. “First we have a wedding to get through.”
“Not to mention your family coming to Town.” He reached down and took her hands as he sat again. “I suggest letting your mother and Lady Fotherby plan the wedding breakfast.”
“That is exactly what I shall do.” Dotty would smile and pretend to be happy for her sister, but, at this point, that was all she could manage.
“I, on the other hand, must negotiate the settlement agreements.” An evil grin appeared on her husband’s face.
“You are going to do to him what Worthington did to you.” It was not even a question. She did not know all the details, but she knew that he had held Dom’s feet over the fire.
“That is my intent. As soon as he is well enough to engage in a mental battle.” He unfolded himself from the chair and stalked around the table. “Now, though, you are going to take a rest. You’ve had a tiring day.”
She could not disagree with that. Dotty had no sooner risen when she was swept up into his strong arms. “I can walk.”
“I am quite sure you are able to drag yourself to your bed, but I am more than capable of carrying my wife and children.”
“We will not know for certain until next week, when Grace’s mid-wife arrives.”
“For some reason I have a feeling Grace will be proven correct.” He gave Dotty a chagrined look. “Yet again.”
Dotty couldn’t stop a burble of laughter from escaping her. Before meeting Grace, he had not been impressed with the thought processes of females. But all that had changed. He had realized that women were quite capable of reasoning as well as men.
