“What?” She asked her brother.
“He likes you. I suppose that is what matters.”
Verity glanced back at the duke and inhaled deeply when she found him looking her way. “Lucien, what makes you say that?”
But he’d already taken his leave. Ruffling their sister’s hair, Lucien gave a shout of farewell before slipping in the door. He probably hadn’t even heard her question, already on his way.
Although she considered chasing after him, Verity knew this was her chance. She corralled everyone back in doors with a quick speech of gratitude before sending everyone on their way back home.
“Neatly done, Your Grace,” Peter Starling said as one of the last parties out the door. He took her hand gently and bowed over it. While she made a note to invite him to supper with her husband soon, he collected his sister and left.
“Thank you, Mr. Starling. Do take care.” She waved to the two of them before turning back to the house.
There sat Elowen nodding off on the stairs while Octavia was dancing in circles. Meanwhile Dominic standing off to the side, holding her bonnet in both hands. The sprigs of white flowers––good luck for her wedding day––remained lively.
“Are you ready to depart for home?”
This wasn’t her house any longer, she realized. How strange. She’d lived here all her life. She knew the scratches and holes and artwork and squeaky boards. What would her new house carry?
She swallowed, forcing a smile while reaching out for her bonnet. “Thank you. I believe I am.”
Already Verity had agreed with her siblings not to have any tearful goodbyes. She wasn’t leaving them forever, not really. She was a short carriage ride away, or a lovely long stroll. They could see one another whenever they liked.
But as Dominic helped her over the threshold, Verity wondered if the rest of her life would truly be that simple.
CHAPTER 9
“Itrust you shall be comfortable here,” Dominic said as he had rehearsed in his mind on the quiet ride to his house. Well, their house. “It is yours as much as it is mine. And should there be anything you would like to alter, you are welcome to.”
Verity was studying the townhouse. Their home.
Dominic turned over his own hat and cloak to his footman, Daniel, who departed with their traveling items. It left just him and his wife in the hall, and he turned back to watch her.
She craned her neck up to consider the chandelier around the high ceilings, and he was glad he had thought to hire additional help for the last two weeks so everything would be properly clean and orderly upon her arrival.
“It is very nice,” she said slowly before turning to look back at him. “And the household?”
“I didn’t wish for you to be overwhelmed. They’re all gathered in the next hall should you desire to meet them now. Otherwise, I can have your maid called forth to deliver you to your room where you should be set comfortably with a bath and your preferred evening tea.”
Her lips quirked, though he couldn’t discern the meaning. “That was thoughtful of you. I should like to meet the household tonight. I’ll tour tomorrow. A bath should be pleasant. And what… What exactly…”
She didn’t continue.
Instead, her cheeks flushed. Her gaze dropped from his as she struggled for words. Those slim hands waved in the air once and then twice before giving up.
Realizing what she might be speaking of, Dominic inclined his head before taking three steps forward so their feet nearly touched. As her dress brushed over his boots, he spoke low to explain the terms of their marriage.
“What I told you before remains the truth: I have no expectations of you, especially as we do not know one another. Our rooms are connected but each side carries its own lock. Your bathing room is your own. We are expected to be seen together and that is all. Satisfied?”
There went her rigid shoulders relaxing, their hands brushing before she pulled away. “Good. Thank you. I… I am satisfied.”
“I am glad to hear it.” He found himself raising his gaze to look at Verity only to find she still didn’t glance his way. The blush on her cheeks remained. Unable to make his feet move, Dominic wasn’t ready to leave her yet. “May I introduce you to the rest of the household?”
“Yes, please.”
Verity turned away first, moving toward the hall he had nodded toward earlier. She walked with her head tall. An admirable trait, even if she didn’t particularly know where she was going. Which she realized, and slowed down, turning back toward him.
Not wanting to embarrass her any further, Dominic politely moved around her to take the lead. He caught a whiff of lilac. It was an intoxicating scent. By the time they made it down the hall to the servants all lined in the hall––the front entryway didn’t allow for a neat line––he had nearly forgotten what they were doing.
