Page 21 of Seven Days with her Duke (Hearts of Whitmores #3)

CHAPTER 21

“ Y our Grace?” Reginald was at the door of his study. “Would you like to prepare yourself for supper?”

Staring blankly at the empty bottle of brandy before him, Dominic tried to think. Supper was food. His stomach didn’t feel particularly empty, though, so he wasn’t sure it would be necessary. Except he usually ate when he drank––that kept him from having the worst of headaches afterward.

Except he didn’t feel like eating.

“No.”

Reginald frowned before he could think of another reaction. The butler really did have too much freedom here. A mistake Dominic didn’t have the energy to rectify.

“And your lady wife?” the older man reminded him.

Scowling, Dominic gave a shake of his head. He glimpsed his butler whose eyes widened before he pursed his lips together. How perfect that was: now his servants were disappointed in him.

“Trays,” he said at last. “Just trays. It’s been… a tiring day.”

“Shall I send in your valet?”

Thomson would only be there to take away the bottles and help him to bed. Help sober him up. Make him clear his thoughts. And then he would start feeling again, the discomfort and shame and irritation and dread of ruining a perfectly good young lady.

I never should have laid my hands on her.

“No. Bring in a tray and leave it. I want nothing more,” Dominic added sternly so his servant couldn’t find a way around giving him help he didn’t desire.

The old man dared roll his eyes before muttering under his breath and taking his leave. Once more it left Dominic alone.

Which was what was best.

In here, he could pretend he was half the gentleman he was meant to be. Not a raucous rake who had forced his way into more parties than he dared be invited to. Where he could almost forget the countless women and the widows and opera singers and affairs he had enjoyed. Where he was the sort of fellow to crash carriages for the fun of it and enjoy one reckless activity after another. Much of it for years where he didn’t care who he hurt.

Stop feeling, you cad. Stop feeling.

Dominic pushed aside the empty bottle. He wasn’t sure where he went wrong, but it toppled off the desk and crashed at his feet. Paying it no mind, he took the other bottle so he might open and drink that too.

It was probably the quietest wedding night ever to be had, he supposed. He didn’t remember much after that.

Waking the following morning, Dominic discovered a crick in his neck as he straightened up off the sofa in the same room, still mostly dressed. There was a cold tray of what had once been hot food. His fire was unattended, and he supposed that was meant to be a punishment from his staff. Normally, Mrs. Winston was very attentive with the chambermaids.

His head ached. The world spun when he stood. It took what little strength he had to leave the study to stumble down another three halls to his dining room. This house was not helpful in housing a drunken man.

“Your Grace, would you like me to pour you a glass?”

It appeared he had brought a half-full bottle of brandy with him to breakfast. Dominic shook his head. If he let go, there was half a chance it wouldn’t be returned to him. He took a seat and motioned for someone to fill him a plate.

Then he sighed and slumped, looking up just to find Eleanor sitting silently across from him.

Awkwardness pierced him so quietly he felt a cut in his side. He forgot to breathe. He blinked at Eleanor whose big dark eyes looked him over. As always, she wouldn’t miss a thing.

She looks almost as tired as I feel. Poor chit.

And what a poor thing she was to be married to the likes of him. His attempt to smile twisted and she finally looked away. That was for the best, he supposed.

After eating quietly for a few minutes, Eleanor set down her silverware. She did so very carefully like she was attempting not to make a noise. He appreciated that since the banging going on inside his head was only getting louder.

“I am your wife now.” Her throat moved as she swallowed. When she glanced about the room at the nearby footmen in the doorway, no one reacted. He certainly wouldn’t. Looking back at him, she hesitated before finally asking him, “Is there anything you would like me to do today?”

“You are a duchess now,” he echoed dully. “Do as you will.”

The two of them remained at the table for a good minute with food still on their plates. His vision blurred; he couldn’t tell how much she had eaten. There was food before him as well, but he couldn’t think of eating with such a cotton feel in his mouth.

So he took another sip of brandy, bringing the bottle high as he drank.

Eleanor was gone by the time he lowered it. Sighing, he wiped a drip from his mouth and supposed that was for the best.

She wanted a marriage. A marriage in name and nothing more. Well, she has it. She has me for the scoundrel I am. We’ve made our beds that must be laid in for the rest of our lives.

It wasn’t long before Dominic returned to his study where he finished off the bottle and thought of nothing more for the rest of the day.

On his second day of marriage, he received a summons for a special session of Parliament. His valet dunked him in a bath and put something bitter in his mouth before sending him out.

When he wasn’t needed, he settled in his bed chambers or study for nearly a week. He found himself listless and confused. He wanted to find an escape but didn’t know what would be best to seek. All he knew was he couldn't keep doing it at his house.

Because she was here.

Eleanor was everywhere. The halls often carried noise. A confusing house that had terrified him as a child unless he was with his older brother, Dominic needed years to get settled in this house. He still didn’t go to many areas since they weren’t needed.

But his wife was clearly taking stock of her new home; it wasn’t unusual for him to sneak into a nearby empty room just to avoid catching sight of her while she spoke to the staff. And then there were new staff––Reginald had been telling him for ages they needed more maids and footmen. Ten were hired and soon he was nearly falling over them all.

“Good morning,” Eleanor would greet him on the mornings he attended breakfast. He only went because he kept forgetting about her. “Do you like the changes I’ve made?”

“Do as you desire,” he would reply mildly before burying himself in a glass of brandy or the newspaper.

That was the limit of their conversations that first week of marriage.

It came to an end, and he knew he was going to lose his mind before long if something didn’t change. So the same day he had married the week prior, Dominic woke up early, grabbed the nearly full bottle of brandy from his bedside table, and dumped it out the window.

His valet arrived with a bewildered look on his face. He must have heard something and come in, clearly surprised at the earlier hour. And he was further surprised to see what Dominic was up to.

“Your Grace?” Barty asked, his voice on edge.

“A bath if you please.” Dominic didn’t bother looking his way. “And have my horse readied. I’m going to take a ride before going to my club.”

The valet, just a few years older than himself, beamed in relief and nodded before hastening off to do his duty. Everything was prepared as he desired within a short span of time. He enjoyed the fresh air with his horse for over a good hour until they were both slathered in sweat. Once he washed up again at home, Dominic decided a walk to his club would be the best course of action.

“What a surprise to see you here.”

He tensed.

Quirmore found him shortly after he’d chosen a seat facing a window. There was another chair, but they didn’t face one another so it was clear he meant to be alone. But the man took no notice as he sent him a grin. “How is the married life faring for you?”

Tilting his head in the man’s direction with a flat-lipped stare, Dominic was having a hard time remembering why they were even friends. The man had been in his way since his return, everywhere at his elbow.

With a smile, Quirmore tilted a glass to him. “To you and your bride. Lady Eleanor is quite a delight.”

“Lady Elkins to you.”

“Ah, yes. That is correct.” His friend shifted better to face him. “You are quite a fortunate fellow. Perhaps I’ll have to follow your example. Find myself a pretty lady and be married in two day’s time with a taste of scandal. Everyone is quite impressed, you know.”

Dominic’s insides twisted. Of course they were chattering away about what had happened. He was used to showing up in the papers like he used to over five years ago––waking up in the Royal gardens, brawling with other lords who couldn’t take a jest, winning more gambles than most men ever should, interrupting theater shows, drunkenly chasing dunks in the Serpentine were just a few of his activities that warranted attention––but he didn’t like it including Eleanor. She wouldn’t appreciate that.

How many ways can I fail her now? I’ll have to add this to my list.

“Don’t talk about her,” he charged.

“Then you do care for her?”

Something about his voice caught Dominic’s attention, tugging him back around to face the man. Though Quirmore wore a cheery grin and sipped at his drink, his eyebrows were lightly raised and his brow furrowed. A serious look appeared in his eyes.

He’s investigating how serious I am about this marriage. What is he doing, sniffing about to see if Eleanor is available for a proper affair if I won’t keep her? Is he planning his own wager?

“She is my wife,” Dominic reminded him. “And I won’t let you near her. Do you understand?”

He didn’t realize how loud he had grown until he realized just how quiet the room had gone. Pausing, he glanced about to see men even in the halls glancing in his direction and sharing looks with one another.

Upon turning back to Quirmore, he saw the man offering a polite nod. He raised his glass in a second toast. “To lasting unions. Enjoy yourself, Dominic, wherever you end up. I hope it’s what you desire.”

Dominic had never liked being mocked. He’d pushed aside countless memories of his father whose rough words could be unkind. Cruel. Unforgiving. Though his elder brother had managed well enough as the intended heir, it hadn’t always been easy for him either. They’d supported one another and protected their sister as much as they could.

But Dominic knew most of the tongue-lashings came his way. He could do nothing right. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, it was never enough for the old duke. It was a hard lesson he’d learned quickly in his youth. So he’d decided to stop trying. He pestered his father at times on purpose and then left to entertain himself. That was when he began venturing out of doors more and discovered friendship in their neighbors, a second son.

It was the country house where they had met that his family had passed away. Dominic had left after the funeral, stopped here in town, and never made his return. The house was still closed up. Sometimes he dreamed about burning the place down for good.

And why not? I have destroy everything I touch as it stands. My years upon the continent were a thrill, but even then I was a rake and a cad and a gambler and a worthless fool undeserving of all I have. Eleanor made the worst mistake of her life in choosing me. This marriage will destroy her too.