She tried to be glad he had the decency to stop and wait for her instead of pretending he hadn’t heard.
“Hello, Dominic. I wanted to see if everything is well with you?”
His gaze shifted over her face before he nodded. “Of course.”
It was such a lack of answer she could have laughed. Or throttled him. Her hands tightened over one another as she nodded and inquired again, “And your visit with my brother, how was that?”
“Satisfactory.”
Her brow wrinkled. “For both of you?”
“I believe so, yes. Is all well with you?”
She gave a slight shake of her head as she was not interested in changing the subject. Nor would she let him do this. “Very well. My visit with Elowen was much needed to see to her welfare. She’s struggling this Season, though she doesn’t wish to say it. As for Cassian, something certainly seems to be amiss.”
Now Dominic wouldn’t meet her gaze. As he fixed his cuffs, he shifted his gaze down the hall to where their butler had appeared. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Do you know anything about it? He left in quite a huff. It was like something was wrong. Like he didn’t want to talk to me,” Verity added reluctantly, realizing there was a hurt there.
Dismay crossed over her as she realized the problem both for herself and her brother.
He really has changed. I don’t understand it. Why is he so solemn, so serious? He used to be such a joy. He was almost as charming as Lucien. But these days… He’s not cruel like Father, but he’s not particularly kind or peaceable.
When she caught herself from her thoughts, she looked up to find that Dominic had been studying her.
He immediately looked away. Down he dropped his gaze, pulling out his pocket watch. “I have an appointment I need to prepare for with my solicitor.”
“Certainly, of course. I don’t wish to keep you. I only… Is it so impossible to tell me of what topics you discussed with my brother?” Verity came out to ask.
The pocket watch was put away. “I think that is a question your brother should answer, Verity.”
“He left without talking to me,” she reminded him.
He hardly hesitated. “And I am sorry that happened. Perhaps he is in a rush as well. But you’re family. I am confident he shall wish to speak with you soon.”
“Do you really think family likes to communicate with each other?” She asked dryly.
It didn’t mean anything in the moment. But when Dominic froze, Verity suddenly recalled how difficult his upbringing had been. There was little he had shared thus far, but she’d heard the pain between his words. Noticed the loss in the wrinkles of his brow and the dark look in his eyes.
With a grimace, she shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s of no concern. I can only hope your brother will make amends with you soon. He shared no anger of you with me,” he added, paused again, and then frowned to himself. “Good day, Verity.”
She nodded, holding back a sigh. It was evident she would learn nothing from him. At least not now. Letting him go, she turned away as well before she caught his words.
“Won’t I see you for supper?” she asked.
“Unlikely,” was all Dominic could respond before turning the corner.
Just like that, Verity lost her husband.
He disappeared for the rest of the day. The next day, too. The duke was needed here and there but never in the same place as she might be found. By the third day, Verity had to accept the inevitable.
Her husband was avoiding her.
Whatever is going on here? Have I done something wrong? Has someone else done something wrong? This is madness. The harder I try to find answers, the more questions I gather.
Pressing on, Verity watched as gossip spun about London. As a new banking bill was brought forth and then crushed faster than she’d ever seen happen. The market dropped. She watched, and listened, and wondered if it had to do with her journal.
