Page 88 of A Duchess to Reclaim

“Thank you,” he said, reaching across the desk.

His friend leaned forward as well and the two shook hands.

“How is Amelia doing anyway?” Everett asked, walking toward the drink cart.

“Roland hadn’t been able to do much more than shake her around a little bit,” Dominic replied, “Thank you for asking about her.”

“Well she is completely and surely your wife now,” Everett sighed. “I suppose I need to get to know her better.”

“And the children,” Dominic pointed out. “You will need to get to know Sarah and Lydia. I suppose you shall be there honorary uncle now.”

Tristan grimaced.

“Children,” he repeated slowly. “I do not have much experience with those.”

Dominic chuckled.

“Me either, old man, but we have to grow up at some point.”

As if they knew they were the topic of discussion, the door of Dominic’s study burst open and the two girls came running in. They both screeched with joy upon finding Dominic, and flew to him; wrapping their arms around his waist. Everett balked at the sight and took an almost intimidated step away from the obvious show of affection.

“Is your meeting over yet, brother?” Lydia asked. She stepped away from him and fluffed her light brown hair. She then turned to Everett and rose a curious brow.

“Who is this?” She asked next.

“Yes, I suppose it is,” Dominic replied, then waved a hand toward Everett. “Girls, this is your uncle Everett.”

“Uncle!” They both shouted in unison, and flung themselves onto Everett.

Everett positively paled as he threw his hands upward while the girls wrapped their arms around his waist. Dominic could not help but laugh at his friend’s obvious discomfort.

“Um…children,” he answered awkwardly.

He tentatively reached down, as if they would somehow burn him, and patted their heads in two quick taps. Everett then looked up at Dominic with a confused look.

“Are they always this tiny?” He asked.

Sarah immediately pulled away from with a deep frown.

“I am not tiny,” she retorted, obviously offended.

She tossed her hair again and crossed her arms.

“I am fourteen, Uncle Everett, and I shall soon be a lady.”

“Noted,” Everett grumbled, then pointed to Lydia.

“I like the smaller one better.”

“Ha ha!” Lydia teased, sticking her tongue out at Sarah.

“Girls,” Amelia chastised, walking in just as Sarah looked to fight her younger sister. “What are you doing in here? I told you you mustn’t bother Dominic when he is in his office.”

Dominic felt his heart swell with joy as he saw his wife walk toward him, and he immediately reached for her. Since his return he’d found himself unable to keep his hands off of her when in the same vicinity. Her smile made his breath hitched as she went into his arms, and he couldn’t help but grin as she rose on her toes to kiss his jaw.

“Apologies, darling,” she whispered.

“It’s fine,” he whispered back, kissing her forehead.

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