They had already confirmed he wasn’t at home, which Verity was further annoyed at. She had many choice words for her eldest brother. There was so much she wanted to ask, to demand from him.
But her head was pounding and the tension radiating through her limbs would get her nowhere for the evening.
“Cassian should return by the morning. Call for me if he isn’t, please,” Verity murmured. “Good night.”
“Good night,” Elowen responded.
It was an uncomfortable ride back home. Verity slouched in the carriage, watching the lanterns that she passed by, and kept her breathing as even as possible through the aching of her head.
She was glad to see there was a footman at the door when she finally returned.
“Can you have an herbal tea prepared?” She asked him quietly. “Willow bark, with some peppermint. Have it sent to my rooms.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” He took her cloak and took it down the hall with him.
Sighing, Verity found herself alone. She had a candle in one hand to lead her back to her chamber. At least it was mostly dark. Too much light irritated her eyes. Resisting the urge to yawn, she forced herself forward.
The stairs came into view just as she found someone standing there.
“Oh.” Moving a step back, she looked up. “Dominic.”
“No one expected you to return so soon from your chaperone duties. I heard you mention willow bark tea. Are you unwell?”
“I’m fine, I only…” Her gaze shifted downward where he held something in his hand. Recognizing the type of her own journal, she stiffened.
What is he doing with that?
He moved down a step, the movement jolting her from her thoughts. The wince she made didn’t go unnoticed. “What is wrong?”
“A megrim, that is all. I should be better by morning. It was a complicated sort of evening at Almack’s, I’m afraid, so we decided it was best to retire early. As for you… What entertains you this evening? A gossip journal? What are you doing with it?”
Slowly picking it up, he studied it thoughtfully before turning to look at her. “That is a very good question. I suppose I should find a proper answer to it.”
The comment made little sense to her. She tilted her head, her brow furrowing with confusion. “Is something amiss?”
“You’re full of questions this evening.” Dominic looked her over carefully. It was difficult to understand any of his thoughts. Just as she was thinking about asking the question again, he said, “We will simply have to wait and see. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I… I suppose so.”
This conversation was too complicated for Verity to make sense of with the throbbing pain in her skull. Quietly excusing herself, she stepped up around her husband to make her way into her bed chambers.
At last, Verity was alone. She hadn’t been alone all day. There hadn’t been time to savor the success of her journal or consider all that she had been hearing. Pulling out her small notebook, Verity forced herself to make a few notes from the evening and then tossed the paper aside.
“Your Grace, are you ready to retire?” Her maid arrived.
“More than ready,” Verity groaned.
She could stand tall and fight tomorrow. But for now, she had done enough. The mysteries could wait for another day so long as she could obtain some rest.
CHAPTER 25
“Don’t forget the medicinal tea,” Dominic reminded his under butler on his way out of the house the following morning. “Make sure the duchess has warm water and toast at her disposal when she arises.”
The young man nodded with a sober expression. “Certainly, yes, Your Grace. Anything else?”
“No.” He took a step to the door and paused. “Actually, please keep note of the duchess should she leave the house today.”
The under butler never blinked. “Yes, Your Grace.”
