Page 30 of The Duke of Lies
“Yet you did.” Kit had also noted how close Romsey stood to his wife, and how he touched her with care and frequency and…love.
“Because of Diana. She saved me in every way a person can be saved.” He inclined his head toward Kit. “I can only imagine what holes may linger in your soul after such a harrowing experience, but perhaps Verity will help patch them up. And now I must go check on my wife. See you at dinner.” With a nod, he turned and climbed the stairs.
Kit intended to go up as well but didn’t immediately follow. Romsey’s words cloaked him in discomfort. Holes in his soul? Harrowing experience? He’d chosen to get on a ship at the age of fifteen, and he’d never looked back. Certainly he’d missed his father from time to time, but the life he’d led had been exciting and rewarding, if a bit lonely. Any holes he might possess came from the time before he’d gone to sea, left by the death of his mother, the pervasive sadness of his father, and the truth of who he really was—as well as who he could never be.
Except he was precisely that person now. At least for a short time.
Or forever.
If he wanted it.
No, he couldn’t continue this ruse indefinitely. Someone was bound to discover the truth. He’d need to be long gone before that happened.
Chapter 8
“You are a very tired boy, I think,” Verity said as she perched on the edge of Beau’s bed that night.
He yawned widely even as he tried to shake his head. “I’m notthattired, Mama. Papa is going to readRobinson Crusoe.” Despite his obvious exhaustion, his eyes were alight with excitement.
“I didn’t realize we had that book.” The collection of books in the library downstairs didn’t include many novels, and the ones that Verity had procured over the past few years were in her study.
“We didn’t. Papa told me about it last week, and the copy he ordered arrived today.”
“Indeed it did,” Rufus said, mildly startling Verity as he came into Beau’s room.
“He’s awfully tired,” she said, looking up at Rufus. “Perhaps you should postpone this to tomorrow.”
“No, Mama! I can listen with my eyes closed if I must.”
“We’ll just read a half chapter.” Rufus eyed her carefully. “If it’s all right with you.” He looked down at Beau nestled beneath his covers. “Remember that we always listen to your mother.”
Beau exhaled. “Yes, Papa.” His expression didn’t seem to agree.
Verity patted her son’s chest and let her hand lie on him for a moment. “I see nothing wrong with you listening, and if you fall asleep, your father will simply have to reread it tomorrow.”
With a grin toward his father, Beau said, “He won’t mind. It’s his favorite story!”
Verity glanced at Rufus. “Is it really? I’d no idea.” She didn’t expect him to respond, and he didn’t. While he’d demonstrated kindness and charm, he was often closemouthed so that he seemed even more of a mystery to her. He wasn’t the man she remembered, and she found herself wanting to know justwhohe was.
She leaned over and kissed Beau’s cheek. “Sleep well, my sweet boy.”
He kissed her cheek and squeezed his arms around her neck. “Sleep well, Mama.”
She stood and moved past Rufus with a murmured “Good night.”
He inclined his head and responded in kind, his deep voice sliding over her like the drape of a silken chemise. She went to the door and turned before leaving. Rufus had sat next to Beau with his back propped against the headboard of the bed. He opened the book and began to read. She lingered a moment, allowing the rich baritone of his voice to lull her into a sense of warmth and peace and…rightness.
With a start, she pushed away from the door and went into the corridor. Before she could turn toward her chamber, she saw Diana come around the corner toward her. They’d planned to meet in Verity’s study tonight to talk in private.
Verity waited while Diana traversed the length of the corridor. “I was just saying good night to Beau.”
Diana glanced into Beau’s room as she passed, and Verity saw her face soften.
Leading the way to her bedchamber, Verity paused, then closed the door behind her cousin after she came inside.
“Does he read to Beau every night?” Diana asked. “It’s very sweet.”
“Nearly. Tonight, he’s startingRobinson Crusoe. Apparently it’s his favorite.” Verity arched a dubious brow before walking across the chamber and into the study that adjoined the room. This was her private space where she could fully withdraw. Two years after Rufus’s disappearance, she’d taken over this room as well as the bedchamber and over time had banished his presence entirely. Decorated in warm gold and pale pink, the room was bright and feminine and reminded her of how happy she’d been for him to simply vanish.
