Page 74 of A Duchess to Reclaim

Theo, Ophelia, and Rose were all quick to agree.

“How is being back in London?” Amelia then asked.

Seraphina let out a sigh.

“The first week was a bit awful. I felt like I couldn’t quite settle. My mysterious cousin who inherited my father’s title still has yet to make himself known and far too many people believe I have the answer to his whereabouts.

“Things are better now, though. Having Leah there helps. And there are more children for twins to play with.”

The urge to ask if Seraphina had seen Dominic at all was sudden and great, and she had to fight herself to stop from saying something. She didn’t need to know. Didn’t want to know.

“Ophelia? You?” Amelia asked, turning to face her.

Her friend smiled smugly and shimmied her shoulders.

“I have been stalwart in my refusal to attend any more parties this season and have been proven to be successful. Mother and Father have seemingly given up, for this year at least, and I have been filling my free time with painting.”

Amelia gave her wide smile. Ophelia had a true talent for painting, even if her parents currently refused to allow her to enter any of her work in the London Galleries.

“Would you mind giving Sarah and Lydia a painting lesson while you are visiting?” Amelia asked. “I believe they would love it.”

Ophelia’s smile widened.

“I would love to,” she replied, leaning forward to slap a hand gently over Amelia’s knee. “We can do it as soon as we get back to the manor. How does that sound?”

They stayed at the lake a little while longer, but as the sun started to dip to the west, Amelia called Sarah and Lydia from the water, and the guards came forward to help pack up their picnic. Light, fun chatter filled the air as they meandered back to the manor.

The gates were opening for them when Amelia caught something moving in her peripherals, sending a shiver down her spine. Quickly she whipped her head toward the movement, and caught the back of a man’s jacket disappearing behind a tall arbor tree. Wariness filled her. Was it her father? Dominic had warned her that men like him were never satisfied. Had he come for more money?

“Jonathan,” she called, summoning the head guard to her side.

He came to her right away and bowed.

“Your Grace?”

She nodded toward the arbor tree on the other side of the gate.

“Someone is out there. I saw him. Dispatch him immediately,” Amelia commanded.

Whether it was her father or not, she was taking no risks when it came to her sisters.

Jonathan gave her a furtive nod and subtly gathered two more of his men.

“Come along, girls, let us get you inside,” Amelia insisted, quickening her steps, “We must get you out of those wet clothes.”

“I am afraid this is where we must depart, darling,” Rose said sadly as they approached the manor’s front steps.

Amelia frowned as she noted the waiting carriage.

“Already?” She asked, “You cannot stay for supper?”

“Rose is right,” Theo sighed. “The day got away from us. It is best we leave now so we may make it back to London by sundown.”

Though disappointed, Amelia nodded, and moved in to hug them both. Ophelia and Seraphina were right behind her to bid their goodbyes.

“Come back soon,” Amelia insisted, giving Theo an extra hard squeeze.

“As soon as I can,” Theo promised.

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