Page 28 of A Duchess to Reclaim

“Obviously,” Dominic chuckled, then turned to Hugo.

He smiled wide at his old friend, amazed at the transformation he’d gone through. There was a smile- agenuinesmile on his face, and there was a lightness to his air that had never been there before.

“Look at this big man,” Dominic boasted, clapping him on the back. “Tell me, how is it being a father?”

Hugo gave him a solid pat on the back in kind and waved an arm toward the empty chair at their usual table in White’s.

“Incredible,” he replied. “I’m so glad I took the time off to be with them and Seraphina. I swear the twins learn something new everyday. It’s astounding to watch them in their discovery of the world.”

“I’m happy to hear it old friend,” Dominic replied, and meant it.

Hugo’s past had been filled with nothing but darkness before he’d met Seraphina. The man had denied having feelings for her even after they were married, but Dominic had known otherwise. Not just from his little spies, but from the small changes that had taken over Hugo’s behavior. He was beyond relieved that with Seraphina’s help and love, his friend had stepped out of the darkened torment of the past and into the light of a bright future.

“I received word from that physician friend of yours,” Tristan muttered to his side.

“Your intervention is most appreciated, old friend.”

“Think nothing of it,” Dominic murmured back, and meant it.

Tristan was the most sentimental of their group, and though he’d been able to spare some feelings for his friend before, Dominic had no interest in doing so again tonight.

Dominic glanced around the full, darkened room at the clusters of men surrounding them. He spotted three of his spies. Felix, Parker, and Billy, disguised as waiters, and gave them all a subtle nod. They nodded back, and he knew that they’d have information for him by the morning. He had to gather as much as he could to stay ahead of the rumors.

“So you abandoned your lovely bride to go gallivanting around the world,” Everett slurred, pouring them fresh whiskeys, “How was it?”

“Jesus, Everett,” Tristan muttered, and Hugo rolled his eyes.

“It was exemplary,” Dominic replied, unfazed. “Much was accomplished. “How was drinking yourself into another bottle?”

Everett gave him a look of great offense and pressed his hand flat to his chest.

“I beg your deepest pardon, Your Grace, but that is not all I have done,” he answered dramatically.

Dominic, Tristan, and Hugo all looked at him with a raised brow.

“I have also kept the beds warm for many young ladies,” he went on, smiling wide. “It is a full time responsibility. And as I said earlier, I take my responsibilities very seriously.”

The three of them chuckled and shook their heads.

“I take it your steward is still handling most of the affairs of your title?” Dominic mused.

“Why not?” Everett said with a shrug, “He does such a good job.”

“You will have to grow up at some point,” Hugo noted.

“Aye, that may be true,” Everett said with a nod, “But today is not that day. Enough about me, you’re souring my drinking. Tell us about your trip, Dominic. Don’t spare the details. Don’t forget that I have invested in your abilities.”

“Here, here,” Hugo agreed, “How is our money doing?”

While Hugo’s ability to take money and turn it into more money was well known, it was Dominic who held the true talent. Hugo had once gained his investors by menace and skill. But Dominic chose a different path. Information could be turned into wealth when whispered into the right ears.

“You’re going to have a new buyer for cotton by your next harvest, Hugo,” Dominic replied, “You’ll want to expand your crops next year. Our new friend in Versailles was made aware of some unsavory business dealings with the Duke of Awsbury and no longer wants to do business with him.”

“How much expansion?” Hugo asked with anticipation.

“Double your planting,” Dominic replied, and Hugo clapped his hands and snapped his fingers with excitement.

“What about me?” Tristan asked, suddenly sounding more sober than before.

---