Mr. Whitaker scowled, clearly undecided as to what to do when the coachman said, “Whitaker, is it?”
He nodded.
“I can vouch for their lordships and the lady. As they said, she was snatched from the Park this morning. But there is no need to take my word for it. You come up here and ride with me. Wouldn’t want you to think you hadn’t done your duty.”
“Thank ye.” Mr. Whitaker lowered his rifle. “I’ll do that.”
Dotty breathed another sigh of relief. “Take me home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dom rode next to his cousin in front of the coach. “I’ve decided being a marquis is not such a great thing after all.”
“It’s all what you do with it,” Worthington said. “I wouldn’t give up being an earl. I’m not ashamed to admit I like the privilege that comes with the title. But there are responsibilities as well, not only to my estates and dependents, but to society at large. It’s something your father knew that your uncle never understood.”
Dom mulled the thought over for a few moments. His cousin was five years older than he. “You knew my father?”
“Our fathers were friends.”
That was a surprise. There were so many things he was just discovering. “I never knew.”
“No. My father was another person of whom Lord Alasdair didn’t approve.”
They fell silent for several minutes, giving Dom a chance to think. How much had he missed? How much did he have to make up for? If Thea hadn’t come into his life, he might never have found love, Tom would probably have been transported, and Cyrille would be dead. Not to mention the women they had saved. “I’d like to talk to you about legislation to help the poor.”
His cousin gave a slow smile. “I’d like that as well. What do you have in mind?”
They turned into Grosvenor Square and pulled up to Merton House. Footmen ran out to attend to them. Whitaker was ushered in through the front door. Dom started to have Sir Henry or his mother called down, but after meeting Paken, Whitaker quickly decided Fotherby had lied.
Once Dotty disappeared to her chamber to see their mothers and ready herself for the ball, Dom led Worthington to the study and called for wine.
“What, no brandy?” Worthington joked.
The mere thought made him ill. “Not this early, at any rate.” Dom wasn’t used to this type of bonhomie with his cousin but decided he enjoyed it. “Worthington, I don’t know how to thank you for accompanying me today.”
“You can start by calling me Matt. We are family.”
“Yes—yes, we are. A fact I will not forget.”
Matt raised a brow. “You’ll probably not get a chance. Remember, Dotty is best friends with Charlotte and Louisa.”
“How could I forget?” Dom grimaced. “I trust Louisa will eventually forgive me for marrying Thea.”
“I believe she already has.” Matt cleared his throat. “I am almost sure I heard something about a kiss.”
Dom blushed. There was no other word for it. “Um, yes. I have a hard time seeing anyone else when Thea’s in a room.”
“So I’ve noticed. I have a similar failing with Grace. It must be a Vivers fault.”
“Originally, a Bradford fault if I remember correctly.” Dom grinned
“Indeed.” Matt set his glass down and stood. “I must go home. Tom has probably told everyone that Dotty was taken, and they’ll be worried. However, I’ll see you tonight.” He shook Dom’s hand and clapped him on the back. “I haven’t said it before, but congratulations on your marriage. Whether we call ourselves Vivers or Bradford, Dotty will make a good addition to the family.”
“I agree, wholeheartedly. Thank you, again.”
Dom sat twirling his wine for a few minutes after his cousin left, mulling over all that had happened in the past few days. He still hadn’t had a chance to speak with Thea alone. Tonight, after the ball, he would tell her everything. Most importantly, that he would never shut her out of his life again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
