Page 22 of A Duchess to Reclaim

“Was it money? Because her money ismymoney. Was it coercion? BecauseItaught you better than that. I have trained you all personally and know what you can withstand. Your wills are adamant because I have made them so. So tell me. How did she get you to betray me?”

Mrs. Morbate lifted her chin up high, letting out a sigh as she shook her head and made a signal with her hands.

“You most certainly did betray me, Mrs. Morbate,” Dominic retorted. He didn’t need Ada to translate. He knew the woman better than she ever would.

“If we did so it was not intentional, Your Grace,” Ada spoke, raising her head now too. “The Duchess in many ways is much like you. Her will is iron. She spoke so surely that we assumed you’d known.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes. Amelia? Likehim?Hardly.

“You were fooled,” he stated. “All of you. And in being so have made me vulnerable. I have worked diligently to keep the name of this house clean despite my double life and have been successful for nigh on a decade. Thanks to your silence that is all now in jeopardy. Word is spreading that my wife has been spotted with nefarious company; making me out to look as a cuckold.”

“She does not treat you as a cuckold, Your Grace,” Eve spoke boldly, surprising him.

“Her Grace speaks of you with great reverence to the estate’s lawyers and accountants, always. Any dignitaries she has hosted have heard nothing but tales of glory regarding you, I assure you.”

“If we were concerned about her behaviors we would have let you know immediately,” Ada spoke up, “But she has handled her-yourreputation with utmost care. We knew about the parties, yes, but she has everything proper to keep her identity secret.”

Their words took Dominic aback. Relations had stayed strong with his local associates while he’d been away. He had assumed that Ameliadidhave something to do with that. But if she was not the one making mistakes, how had she been discovered at the parties?

Had she let her guard down with one of her paramours? Had she let her heart grow a little too fond of a sensual stranger and let something slip?

His mood darkened at the thought, and again, that black wisp of jealousy he wasn’t used to curled around him like smoke.

“Now that I am back there will be no choosing of favorites,” he grit out. “You will obey my commands and mine only.Iam the Master of this house. Do you understand?”

The four of them nodded, bowing to him.

“Go,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “Get back to work. Except for you, Mr. Morbate. You stay.”

The three women left in a hurry without a word as the butler remained in place.

“You really didn’t think to tell me of my wife’s dealings?” He asked when they were alone.

Mr. Morbate bowed his head respectfully.

“She truly is a fierce woman, Your Grace. We truly did not know that she was acting without your permission.”

Dominic let out a long breath through his nostrils, rubbed his temples.

“I want you to send Parker, Billy, and Felix into London tonight. Find out what else is being said about my wife. The usual places. White’s. The salons. I want names.”

And vengeance.

“Of course, Your Grace,” Mr. Morbate replied, bowing deeply.

Dominic waved his hand in dismissal and Mr. Morbate headed toward the office door. Just as he was about to leave he turned back to Dominic.

“If I may say, Your Grace. It is good to have you home again.”

Dominic flicked a glance toward the butler, and his temper dampened as he saw the utter devotion in the man’s eyes. Suddenly it was very clear that his loyal servants truly hadn’t meant to disappoint him.

“Thank you, Mr. Morbate,” he sighed.

Left alone, Dominic began to look over the papers his accountants had sent him. After seeing Amelia in that black dress last night, he’d expected to see large expenses from the local dressmakers and jewelers. He spotted a few, but what drew his attention more was to money spent on builders, their supplies, and new furniture. And…statues?

A sum here for an architect. Another for a designer. Several for builders and quite a bit for construction supplies. He’d been so angry when he’d gotten home last night, he hadn’t glanced at the house.

Another secret kept from me,he fumed silently.

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