Page 93 of A Duchess to Reclaim

“Where?” Tristan asked, leaning forward. “You have almost every gentleman’s club in London buying from you.”

Everett gave him a devilish grin.

“While the lot of you have given up your time at theDevil’s Masquerade,I have not. They are in need of a new vendor for their libations and I have managed to speak with the owner about it.”

Tristan groaned and leaned forward, putting a hand to the side of his face to block out the view of Theo.

“Could you please not mention that place in front of her?” He asked. “Knowing that she has been there as a guest, I can never go back again.”

“I can hear you, you dolt,” Theo retorted, reaching out to slap her brother’s shoulder. “And you do not need to worry about my attendance there. For a while, at least.”

“What do you mean for a while?” Tristan asked, and the siblings soon ensued in an argument.

“Ophelia, darling,” Amelia said, reaching out to touch her friend’s hand as the argument went on, “I was hoping to ask you a favor.”

Though Ophelia seemed more interested in the argument between Tristan and Theo, she gradually pulled her gaze from them and focused on Amelia.

“Of course, darling. What is it?” She asked.

“I want Amelia to come with me to Scotland,” Dominic answered. “As a small honeymoon of sorts. We were hoping you would keep watch over Sarah and Lydia while we were gone.”

Ophelia smiled brightly and quickly nodded her head.

“I would love to!” She readily replied. “Oh, we would have so much fun. We could paint. I could teach them so many things about the equality movement happening!”

Tristan whipped his head toward her mid argument and once more glowered at her.

“Not everyone thinks men are as useless you do, Ophelia,” he told her. “Could you please keep such torrid opinions away from young minds?”

“What I do and do not do is none of your concern, Tristan Briarwood,” she shot back, “Besides, there is nothing wrong with a more modern education. Women need to start learning to be more independent. Times are changing.”

“For God’s sake, between you and my sister, I swear…” Tristan’s words became lost in a melee of two feminine voices arguing with him at once; all three of them speaking so vehemently that their words overlapped one another in a confusing, muddled squabble.

“On that note, I think I shall go for a ride,” Everett said, rising from his chair. “Anyone want to come?”

“I would but Seraphina and I need to go put the twins down for their nap,” Hugo said, helping his wife to her feet.

Everett made a face.

“Is that not what nannies are for?” He asked.

“We like to do it ourselves when we can,” Hugo replied, giving his friend a knowing smile. “You will understand when you have your own.”

“I certainly will not,” Everett retorted, looking most disturbed at the accusation. “Fine then. Dominic?”

Amelia looked to her husband and bit back a smile as he made a show of yawning and stretching his arms.

“I am actually quite tired,” he replied. “I believe I shall take a nap instead, that way I am rested up for the evenings games. I hear we are playing Blind Man’s Bluff and imbibing in that special brew Hugo and Seraphina’s chef makes. You ladies remember the last time you played that game, don’t you?”

Dominic asked with a knowing grin.

Amelia tried to bite her lip but her smile but a giggle burst out instead and she playfully slapped at his shoulder. How could she ever forget that?

“I do not know what this is,” Everett said, pointing a finger back and forth between the two, “But something tells me it is much naughtier than it sounds. I am going now. Have fun with your…nap.”

As Everett began to meander toward the stables, Dominic and Amelia headed toward the manor; leaving the three squabbling others to their argument. They were still arguing so intensely that Amelia even wondered if they had noticed the rest of their friends had left.

The moment they were inside the library, Dominic pushed Amelia against the rows of books and kissed her deeply. She sighed softly as her body instantly responded to his touch, and melted.

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