Page 183 of The Scandal You Started
The very reason Dominic had had to leave Rayna and return to his time.
It’d been Victor’s idea.
“I think Yasmin was on to something in her notes. Maybe a bigger Rupture can’t be fixed in the present and has to be managed in the past,” he’d said in River’s car as they’d driven to the lab.
“But if I return, will history not simply continue as she said?” Dominic had questioned.
“Maybe not if you’re stitching yourself out of it.”
Dominic had understood what Victor was suggesting, even if he hadn’t liked the sound of it. So that was exactly what he’d threatened Sheun with in her office when he’d returned the papers she’d given Rayna.
“I shall return only to fix my Rupture,” he’d growled. “And if you do not agree to this plan, I will wreak havoc on this project like nothing you have ever seen before. And you and Jim shall pay the biggest price for hurting Rayna the most.”
“I don’t have anything personal against Miss Faez, Lord Norland,” Sheun had said with a sigh.“I’m only trying to protect the project.”
“Then consider this an experiment,” Victor had interjected, “to help us better understand Ruptures and how we can protect the project and our timeline from them.”
Sheun had contemplated it for a short while before her expression had softened, and she’d nodded. “Fine. But I do have some conditions.”
No one, especially Rayna, could know what they were doing, but for the four of them and the three scientists who would help with Dominic’s journey. If he could not reduce his Rupture significantly within a year, then he would give up his memory and remain in the past forever.
Those had been her conditions, to which Dominic had laid down counter ones.
In the case that he failed, he would live his life as history had dictated, but he would not give up his memories of Rayna. If River was willing, then he’d visit Dominic so they could update each other monthly. And if Rayna wasn’t to know, then one month for him in the past would equate to two weeks for her in the future.
“I accept,” Sheun had said, holding her hand out. “But you’ll leave early tomorrow morning.”
He’d shaken her hand, agreeing to her deal, before they’d written it on paper and all signed it. Then the next day he’d left, and begun working on reducing his Rupture immediately.
“I am making steady progress,” Dominic said, sitting tall. “All instructions for my investments have now been finalised, and they can be managed and released without me. Art has agreed to be my proxy, which will allow him to monitor where the money goes when I am not here. So far, none of the new land stewards are causing me any concerns, and they are working well with Art.
“Solomon is happy to continue managing the books, though he told Patricia to curtail her silk indulgence, and she did not take it well. I do not believe he will make the same mistake again. But I have ensured Patricia has her own protected funds to build her fabric empire with.”
“What about Candreas?” River said.
Dominic sighed. “He is still being obstinate. He refuses to accept the funds, horses, and investment I have moved into his name, and nothing I do or say seems to be convincing him to take it. In fact, he only seems to be growing suspicious of my insistence. In fact, everyone is. Even my solicitors are asking if I am well and healthy. And I believe Mother Penny may hold a smallsword to my throat if I refuse to attend one more social event.”
“That’s because you still haven’t told them what you’re doing.”
“I will. I shall. Soon.”
Just as soon as he had some proof that he was on the right path to getting back to Rayna, he’d tell his family about her and his plans to be with her.
“What about Lady Claire?”
The hope boosting Dominic’s confidence came crashing down, and he gritted his teeth, glancing away.
“Dominic,” River implored with a sympathetic sigh. “You can’t keep avoiding her.”
He glared at the man. “I can, and I will.”
He would continue to avoid meeting Lady Claire Ermina no matter what.
She was the reason he’d avoided all social events and balls throughout the Season, sending Art to chaperone Patricia along with Solomon and Mother Penny. Dominic didn’t want to chance bumping into Lady Claire. He’d hired two Street Runners to keep an eye on her whereabouts for the most part, so he could do everything in his power not to meet her.
“But avoiding her hasn’t led to her marrying someone else,” River said. “Victor thinks you’re better off meeting her. Then you might actually be able to push her towards someone else.”
Dominic heard sense behind the suggestion, but his heart and mind rebelled.
