Page 30 of A Duchess to Reclaim

She took another step, feeling a warmth before her.

“Um, Amelia-” one started to say, followed quickly by a severe“shhh!”

“I am getting close,” Amelia crowed, grinning. “I’m tired of being the blind man. Would one of you just stand still and let me catch you?”

No one answered, and she took another step toward the warmth.

“I’m going to catch you,” she laughed, and sprung forward.

Her hands collided with a hard, broad chest; the shape of which none of her friends bore. A moment later large hands gripped at her elbows, holding her in place. She tried to pull away, frowning, and stepped over her own feet.

“What in heaven’s-”

Her blindfold was suddenly pulled off and she squeezed her eyes against the brightness of the lights. When she opened them again, she gasped and blushed as she saw Dominic.

The barest look of amusement was shining through his otherwise hardened gaze, a dark brow raised as he looked down at her.

“Having fun?” He asked, his tone condescending.

She furrowed her brows and wrenched her arms from his hold; stumbling as she took a step back.

“I was,” she retorted. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here,darling,”Dominic replied, his tone coated in sarcasm as he said the last word.

Amelia took a look around, and blushed once more as she saw that he had not come alone. Hugo had arrived as well, his arms laced lovingly around Seraphina’s waist, and Tristan was standing beside Theo.

“You ladies have been having some fun I see,” Hugo chuckled, running the tip of his nose up Seraphina’s neck. “You had their cook make the punch.

She giggled in his arms and leaned further into her husband’s embrace; sending a shot of envy deep through Amelia as she watched the obvious outpour of affection.

“It really is the most wonderful concoction,” Seraphina giggled.

“I can see that,” Dominic said, his eyes still fixed on Amelia.

“How drunk are you ladies?” Tristan asked, looking curiously from his sister to Ophelia, to Rose. Even he had a slight grin on his face- a vast change from the deep frown he’d worn the last time Amelia had seen him.

“Oh,” Ophelia sang, plopping rather unladylike into the nearby seat cushions, “Just a few cups in.”

“Or bottles,” Seraphina muttered, and the others erupted into a fit of giggles.

Though a moment ago Amelia would have joined them in their laughter, she now stood silent; feeling strangely sober despite having ample to drink.

“Let us see you home,” Tristan sighed, helping Rose up.

“We have our carriage waiting outside,” Ophelia stated, looking at him with offense. “We are fine.”

Tristan bristled at her.

“All the same, we shall accompany you. Won’t we, Hugo?” He said after a moment.

“Indeed,” Hugo agreed, beckoning toward Rose.

“Rose, you’ll come with us. Ophelia you go with Tristan and Theo.”

“Oh, but we were playing,” Seraphina pouted, turning in her husband’s arms so she could look at him.

“And you shall play again,” he answered warmly, moving his hands up to cup her cheeks.

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