Tabitha looked hesitant, as if caught between disbelief and longing. “This all feels… impossible.”
Before they could reach the house, the back door opened and Dominic stepped outside. “I came to see Tristan’s kite flying abilities,” he said with a grin.
Tristan beamed over his shoulder. “I am the greatest kite flyer in the world!”
Dominic chuckled. “Is that so? You haven’t seen me fly a kite.”
Dorothea approached, her hand gently touching his sleeve. “Dominic, I’ve discovered something. Something remarkable.”
His gaze sharpened. “What is it?”
She turned to Tabitha, encouraging her forward. “Tabitha is the widow of John Cooper—the man who saved you.”
The laughter faded from Dominic’s eyes. His entire expression shifted, sobering into stillness. “Is that… is that true?” he asked, addressing Tabitha directly. “Was your husband truly John Cooper?”
She nodded, her hands clasped tightly. “He died in battle. I was told it was instant, but I never knew how. Just that he served in the Second Rocket Troop.”
Dominic’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “He carried me from the battlefield when I was too injured to move. If not for him, I wouldn’t be standing here.”
“Then he didn’t die that day?” Tabitha asked, tears brimming in her eyes.
“No,” Dominic said. “He died the next day. There was a rocket—an accidental detonation. I was told he didn’t suffer.”
A soft sob escaped her lips, and she nodded, her voice shaking. “It’s painful… but it’s good to know. I’ve lived in the dark for so long.”
Dominic stepped forward, placing a hand over his heart. “Your husband was a hero. My hero. I owe him everything.”
“John never did things for praise,” Tabitha said, wiping her eyes. “He simply did what he believed was right.”
Dominic’s voice was thick. “How can I ever repay what he did for me?”
Tabitha glanced back at Tristan, who had resumed his proud stance, gripping the kite string. “You’re already doing more than enough for me and my son.”
“It’s not enough,” Dominic insisted. “I want to do more. I’ll see that you have your own household, a proper income?—”
She shook her head quickly. “That’s not necessary.”
“It is,” he said, with quiet resolve. “You and Tristan deserve stability. Safety.”
Tabitha paused, then spoke with a trembling voice. “All I’ve ever wanted—allJohnever wanted—was for our son to have a better life than we did.”
Dominic nodded, solemn. “Then I’ll raise him as if he were my own.”
Tears slipped silently down Tabitha’s cheeks. “That is awfully kind of you, my lord.”
“In truth, I’ve grown rather fond of him,” Dominic admitted with a small smile. “He reminds me of myself when I was his age—stubborn, full of questions, and absolutely certain he’s the best at everything.”
Dorothea stepped beside him. “What a remarkable turn of events.”
“Mum!” Tristan called from across the lawn. “Come watch me!”
Tabitha dabbed her eyes and offered a grateful nod before turning to join her son.
As she walked away, Dorothea felt Dominic’s hand brush against hers—then gently, he took it. Slowly, he lifted it to his lips and whispered, “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“But you did,” he said, his thumb grazing her skin. “You’ve never looked at me like I’m broken.”
