Of course, they wouldn’t have helped her from toppling over should they run into each other. But Dominic did. He still had a hand on her…
Her gaze dropped down to where they touched. How could she feel him, so warm and firm as he held onto her? She felt her heart skip a beat. There was no accounting for the sensation, all warm and tingling, driving its way up her spine.
Dominic let go too soon.
But, Verity noted privately with more cheer than she cared to admit, he didn’t step away. They were still close to one another.
The candlelight between them flickered softly. She looked up at him again, forgetting for a moment what they were talking about. After all, he was so very handsome. She couldn’t ignore that. He was handsome and proper and did nothing wrong.
It is hard to find fault in my husband when I didn’t know exactly what I desired in a match. It is more and less than what I expected. Or perhaps not less. Simply different. I hardly know what to expect. Every time I see him I feel like I am dipping my toes into a new pond, not knowing how deep I shall go this time, or what awaits me under the surface.
“I suppose I wander some nights,” Dominic told her. “I just left the sunroom and thought to try for bed again.
“You wander? Woolgathering?” She hid a smile.
Though she wished he would show his. Last night at supper, he’d given her a full smile when she retold the story of Cassian receiving a hunting dog that he never trained properly because long ago he had a very tender heart. Dominic had a soft spot for gentle children and puppies, apparently. She wondered if that would make him smile again.
“Not particularly. I haven’t been sleeping of late,” he explained.
“Have you not been tired?”
He hesitated and shook his head. The curls on his head bounced––they were more unruly after a long day, and she rather liked them––and she caught a scent of fresh citrus. It surely had to be in his soap to be this fragrant. It made her mouth water for something delicious.
“There have been many… complex problems with my estates,” Dominic admitted after a short spell. “I’ve had many problems to solve. They consume me at times, and I find myself unable to sleep when there are questions unanswered.”
A small huff of amusement escaped her. “I can imagine that perfectly myself. Have you always been this way, staying up late and wandering the halls? Surely the household would be concerned.”
“They have always known my habits.”
Her brow furrowed as she asked, “How long has this been going on?”
“I shouldn’t like to worry you,” he evaded the question politely and shook his head. “Is there anything I can do to assist you? Some warm milk, perhaps?”
“You can do it yourself?”
“Entirely so. I wouldn’t wish to wake the household at this hour.” He pulled out his pocket watch to confirm. “Thirty-four minutes after midnight. I would be glad to prepare you a glass if you like?”
Shaking her head, Verity didn’t think that would help. The gesture was nice all the same. Particularly nice as he didn’t want to answer the question. In the day, she rarely noticed circles under his eyes. But this lighting made them grow and she found a note of worry laying on her shoulders.
The two of them were growing comfortable with one another. Hopeful friends, Verity decided. He was still polite but less formal day by day. She was excited for the day he would unravel like a flower to his core self outside of all of these manners and formalities.
Thus far, he continues to be a stalwart and fair gentleman. His shoulders relax and yet… I know he has secrets. He must. For we all do.
“You are restless,” Dominic noted. “Come, let us enjoy some warm milk together.”
When he offered his arm, she couldn’t help but to accept it. They started down the dark hall and she giggled.
“This is absurd,” she told him.
“What is?”
“Carrying me on your arm like we are off to supper. It’s the middle of the night, Your Grace. It’s dark and there is no one to see what we do.”
He thought about this for a moment before asking, “Would you like to remove yourself from my arm? If you would prefer not to touch…”
“No,” Verity replied hastily, pulling him a little closer. She hoped the lighting hid her blush. “Not at all. That’s not what I was saying. Only it feels very… respectable.”
His eyebrow quirked up to reveal he understood her humor, though his words remained proper. “Are we not respectable?”
