His throat began to throb painfully and the fear that he had not run out of tears rose in him. “Tell me what happened when Papa died.”
Mama twisted the handkerchief in her hands. “He was helping at the mill. They were installing a new type of wheel when everything went horribly wrong, and Papa was crushed by the wheel. We got him back to the Hall as soon as possible, but he was bleeding internally and passed shortly afterward. I was pregnant and lost the baby. At your uncle’s urging, I went to Bath for my health. By the time I had recovered, Alasdair was in place, and you seemed to be doing well. I suppose I thought that because of your youth, Papa’s death was easier for you. I did not know that Alasdair forced you to bury all your grief and tried to make you into a version of himself.” She blinked several times before continuing. “He did not do as your father wanted.”
Dom was having a hard time taking it all in. His father had died doing his duty. Something he would have done in the same circumstance. “But everything couldn’t have been false. Uncle Alasdair said Grandpapa died young from loving his wife too much.”
“If you can call five and sixty young,.” Mama scoffed. “Dominic.” She reached out, covering his hands with hers. “When the feelings are returned, there is no such thing as loving one’s spouse too much. Your grandfather died from a chill he caught trying to get home. What Alasdair did not tell you, or perhaps did not know, is that your grandparents never spent more than one night apart the whole thirty-five years they were married.” She smiled at him. “Bradford men love passionately, Dominic. Even you, if you will allow yourself to.”
Rising, she left him alone with his thoughts. He had been trying to find a way not to love Thea as much as he did, and it was all for nothing. He scrubbed a hand over his face. She had looked so hurt earlier, when he wouldn’t confide in her. Yet, maybe it wasn’t too late. He would tell her everything. In any event, she deserved to know. He pushed himself out of the rocker and glanced around. One day he would be here playing with his child, but now it was time to find his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Dotty walked slowly back down the gallery. She had to find a way to convince Dom to confide in her. What kind of marriage would they have if he did not?
“Dotty, Dotty.” Tom’s shrill voice echoed off the walls.
“I’m here, sweetie. What are you doing back so soon?”
“I missed his lordship and Cyrille.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “What is it you need?”
“Sally is out.” He placed one small hand confidingly in hers while he held his portfolio in his other. “Can you take me to the Park to draw? Mr. Martin gave me an assignment to complete before he comes again.”
Part of her wanted to wait and speak with Dom. They must straighten out their differences before the wedding, yet perhaps a quiet place to think would be best now. “Of course. Let me get my spencer and bonnet. I shall meet you in the hall.”
Tom skipped back down the gallery and disappeared. A few minutes later, Dotty joined him. The footman, Willy, who was assigned to Tom, was summoned. Dotty missed Fred, but had agreed with Dom that Matt’s servants had no need to attend her at Merton House. After having been followed that day, some of Dom’s grooms were always in the square, making sure no one watched the house.
The Park was largely deserted by the fashionable when they arrived. Avoiding the area where the other children were playing, Tom found a place with a bench where he could sketch. Although in very short order, he was ensconced on the grass at the base of a large elm tree.
She took out her pocketbook to review her list of projects. The attempt was unsuccessful as all she could think about was Dom and how distant he had been today. Perhaps she should ask for Lady Merton’s help. Dotty would wager her last penny that most of her betrothed’s problems stemmed from his uncle. It was probably a good thing the man was dead, otherwise she’d throttle him. Yet the fact that he was no longer with them might be worse. If Lord Alasdair was alive, it might be easier for Dom to rebel against the man. If only she knew what to do.
She closed her eyes and bit her lip hard as tears tried to escape.
“Hey, what you think you’re doin’?” Willy shouted.
She jerked her head up as a large thug reached out and grabbed her arm, his fingers digging in painfully. His accomplice held Willy, twisting his arm behind his back. She glanced over at Tom who was not where he’d been five minutes before. Oh God. Please. It can’t be the thieves trying to get him back. She prayed he’d got away. At least he knew how to return home.
Hoping someone would hear her, she screamed as loudly as she could until a meaty hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her to a black coach trimmed in gold. Not the robbers or the men who were kidnapping the women. Who then?
Dotty’s bonnet tilted over her eyes as she landed on the seat and the coach took off with a jerk. Trying not to tremble, her stomach lurched and her hands grew clammy inside her gloves. Her heart crashed painfully against her chest. She’d never been so frightened in her life. Who would wanther?
After taking a few deep breaths, she found the courage to straighten her hat, but hadn’t raised her gaze. Then she saw them. Even in the dim light, her pale face was reflected back at her in a pair of black boots trimmed with gold tassels.Fotherby?
Anger and confusion raged as she raised her head to meet his smug countenance. He may be one of Dom’s oldest friends, but her betrothed would kill him for this. Or would he? Perhaps that was what had been bothering him. He really did not wish to marry her.
She gave herself a tiny shake.Stop being a wet goose. Dom was much too honorable to have agreed to this, especially after making love to her. And he did love her. She knew it to the soles of her feet and deep in her bones.
If Fotherby thought he was going to scare her, he’d better think again. She lifted her chin. “What,” she asked in a icy tone, “do you think you are doing, my lord?”
* * *
Elizabeth was in the morning room working on some very delicate white work for the handkerchief she was embroidering for her father’s birthday, when Lavvie burst into the room smiling.
“I’ve solved all your problems,” she announced, pulling off her gloves.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. She had the distinct feeling she wasn’t going to like what Lavvie had to say. “What problems?”
“Why, Merton of course.”
