Dominic opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the arrival of Tabitha, bustling down the hall towards them.
“The coach is waiting out front, my lord, my lady,” Tabitha announced with a slight curtsy.
Dominic sighed dramatically but released Dorothea, though he kept her hand in his. “This is your last chance,” he said, lowering his voice. “We could run off to Scotland instead. A few days of peace and quiet. No balls, no obligations…”
Dorothea arched a knowing brow. “You would miss the children before we crossed the border.”
“I would,” he admitted without shame.
Tabitha, undeterred by their banter, reached into her apron pocket. “I nearly forgot. A letter arrived for you, my lord. It is from Tristan.”
Dominic accepted the letter with a smile. “How is my ward faring at Eton?”
“He writes that he is enjoying it,” Tabitha said. “Although he has a rather unusual request.”
Dorothea’s eyes narrowed with amusement. “Oh, dear. What now?”
Tabitha tried to keep a straight face. “He wishes to bring a pet back with him after the break.”
“A pet to Eton?” he asked. “Do they even allow such a thing?”
“Apparently, Lord Byron kept a bear at Cambridge when dogs were forbidden, and Tristan sees no reason why Eton should be any different,” Tabitha replied.
Dominic let out a bark of laughter that echoed down the corridor. “I am not acquiring a bear for Tristan.”
Tabitha grinned. “I do believe that is sound judgment, my lord.”
Turning towards his wife, Dominic extended his arm with a flourish. “Shall we depart for the ball, my love?”
Dorothea looped her arm through his with a smile. “I think that would be wise.”
As they walked slowly down the corridor, Dominic stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye. Her steps were graceful, but he did not miss the slight paleness to her cheeks. Concern crept into his voice as he asked, “How are you faring?”
Dorothea pressed a gloved hand lightly against her stomach. “I have been rather ill with this pregnancy,” she admitted. “More so than before. I am hoping the sickness will ease soon.”
Dominic frowned, slowing his steps. “Would you prefer to stay home and rest? We can make our excuses.”
She shot him an exasperated look. “You are not going to wriggle out of this ball, Dominic.”
He shrugged with a mock sigh of defeat. “It was worth a try.”
Ahead, Wright stepped forward and pulled open the main door. The cool evening air swept into the house as Dominic carefully assisted Dorothea into the waiting coach. He climbed in after her, settling onto the cushioned seat at her side as the coach lurched forward into motion.
Without hesitation, Dominic reached for her hand, his fingers lacing through the fine silk of her glove. He tilted his head slightly. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
Dominic leaned closer and whispered, “Exactly.”
She laughed, the soft, musical sound filling the small space between them.
“No incessant talking. No crying. No small feet pounding through the corridors,” he said with a sigh as he leaned back against the seat. “It’s quiet. Blessedly quiet.”
For a few long moments, they simply sat there, feeling the gentle sway of the coach, listening to the muted clatter of hooves on the cobbled street.
Then Dorothea said, “I miss the children.”
Dominic turned his head towards her, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So do I.”
