Page 48 of A Duchess to Reclaim

Hugo gave him a devilish grin.

“Oh, come on,” He urged. “It’s been too long since I’ve had the opportunity to unleash that savage part of me. Don’t deny me the pleasure.”

Dominic’s brow perked up in amusement. He thought he was the only yearning for a fight.

“I suppose we could convince him to a round of boxing,” Dominic mused. “Make him think he can take either one of us. After all there would not be much for him to talk about if he got his beating in the ring.”

“Now you’re thinking properly,” Hugo said with a savage smile. “Let us get to it then. We’ll get something to eat after.”

* * *

“It is lovely, Your Grace,” Eve sighed at Amelia’s side.

Amelia’s smile was wide and genuine as she looked up at the nearly finished aviary. So much work had been completed since she’d left, and the workers were now installing that stained glass windows into the domed structure.

“It truly is, isn’t it?” She marveled. “Once it is completed I shall have some trees brought in, and a fireplace to keep the room warm during the winter months After that I shall be able to order the birds. Imagine, Eve. Imagine all of the beautifully colored wings that shall be spread within here.”

It had been two days since she’d left Dominic in London, and though she wasn’t completely comfortable with the way they’d left things, she felt much improved. When she’d arrived back in Ellsworth she hadn’t expected to want to go back to London, but now that she was feeling better, she was eager to get back.

What had happened between her and Dominic in the boxing room had been passionate and almost loving- which sprung all sorts of questions into her mind. Their marriage was supposed to be a business transaction…yet it seemed to be transforming into something much more than that. Even now her skin heated at the thought of him; a yearning to feel his touch sung in her veins. She had to get to the bottom of it. Even if the idea of going back into society made her stomach twist with anxiety.

“Ada and Mrs. Morbate wanted to speak with you, Your Grace,” Eve said as they both turned away from the aviary. “They are preparing your things and just need your input on a few things.”

Amelia nodded, then stopped in her tracks as a familiar figure rounded the corner of the terrace and stalked toward her. Ice fractured in her veins, freezing her to the spot as her father came angrily toward her.

“Who are you, sir? What are you doing here?” Eve asked, taking a protective step in front of Amelia, then shouted for Mr. Morbate.

“Shut your mouth, woman,” Felton seethed moving to push Eve out of the way.

Amelia let loose from her stillness in an instant, blocking her father before his hands could touch Eve.

“Don’t you lay a hand on her!” She snarled, glaring up at her father. He stopped, actually looking surprised.

“She has every right to be wary of you,” Amelia went on, “We have guards surrounding the property. How did you get past them?”

Felton cast a dark gaze over Eve’s figure, a strange light flickering in his eyes before he turned back to Amelia.

“I am your father, ingrate,” he snapped. “Or have you forgotten so quickly how you got here?”

“Trust I will never forget,” she bit back.

Her body started to tremble with fear as memories of that fated night came tumbling back, and she prayed he did not notice.

“That still does not answer Eve’s question,” she stated as Mr. Morbate and two guards rounded the corner. “What are you doing here?”

Now that he had the attention of an audience, Felton seemed to gain control of his rage. He fixed his jacket as he sneered, and slipped his hands into his pockets.

“I am here to see your husband,” he answered. “We have unfinished business.”

Amelia’s brows tensed.

“I highly doubt that,” she replied. “Seeing as how you had no dealings with him directly. You handed that- and me- off to someone else, remember?”

Felton’s face twisted into a look of anger, his nostrils flaring as he grit his teeth.

“He may have paid the auction owner for you,” he said, his tone deep and dark as he took a step toward her, “But he never paidme.”

Amelia barked out an unamused laugh.

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