Veronica had barely handed her hat, pelisse, and gloves to the butler before she turned to her mother with a worried expression on her face. “How is Grandpapa? May I see him?”

“He’s doing well today,” Lady Margaret replied.

Veronica visibly exhaled and briefly closed her eyes. “I would like to see him right away.”

Lady Margaret nodded. “I’ll take you both there now, if you wish,” she replied, smiling at Sebastian. “He’s been looking forward to seeing you. Both of you.”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes at Lady Margaret. He had not missed the emphasis she’d placed on the word ‘both.’ She had to know they were playacting. “Let’s go,” Sebastian said, managing a smile. “I’ve missed the old blighter.”

Placing his hand on the small of his wife’s back, Sebastian ushered her toward the grand staircase. He did not mistake the way Veronica’s spine stiffened at his touch, and she did not look at him. Instead, she merely lifted her skirts and followed her mother up the staircase and down the first landing toward the end of the corridor. Sebastian watched her. Her elegant chin arched at an angle but trembling slightly, signifying her apprehension at seeing her grandfather. No doubt she was worried he would be far gone. Sebastian was glad he would be with her when she saw the old duke. She may not relish her husband’s company, but she didn’t need to be alone at such a time. She loved her grandfather very much.

As they ascended the stairs, Sebastian’s mind flashed back to their conversation in the coach earlier. The image of lovely Veronica reading to a group of school children and teaching two of them to read captured his imagination. She’d wished for four children once upon a time. For the last two years, however, he’d assumed she’d rather go without children than bear his children. But now, hearing her talk about the village kids, he wondered…was her desire for children why she’d agreed to his condition so readily?

The idea of Veronica and Mrs. Leggett packing baskets and handing them out in the village was a novel one as well. Mrs. Leggett was a fine judge of character. To hear Veronica tell it, she’d become friendly with the housekeeper. He couldn’t quite envision Mrs. Leggett and Veronica together. Was it possible they’d become…friends?

Sebastian’s musings were interrupted when their little party arrived at the door to the duke’s bedchamber. Lady Margaret knocked once and at a maid’s reply, she said, “It’s Veronica and Sebastian, Papa. They’ve come for Christmastide.”

“Come in,” came the old man’s voice.

Lady Margaret pushed open the door and Veronica pulled away from Sebastian’s touch to rush directly toward her grandfather’s bed. Sebastian followed more slowly, folding his hands behind his back, and strolling toward the enormous bed on the dais, where the old duke lay.

“Grandpapa!” Veronica exclaimed, leaning down to hug the duke the moment she reached him.

“My darling V,” the duke said. He wore a burgundy silk dressing gown and sat braced against a veritable mountain of pillows atop the damask bed linens covering the ornate bed.