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“Perhaps you would be so kind as to allow your big sister to settle in first,” he replied. “What about next week?”

“What are you talking about with my children?” Felton demanded, appearing behind the two young girls.

He glared at both Amelia and Dominic aggressively.

Yes,Amelia decided quietly,their conversation must have been quite intense. I wonder if he has any regret for what he did at all?

Amelia immediately bristled again as her heart began to hammer, but Dominic only looked at him with a cold calm.

“We are discussing a visit, Lord Hollowcroft,” he replied smoothly.

Felton bared his teeth as he said, “I will not-”

“You will not lose your temper at our wedding,Felton,” Dominic finished for him.

Amelia was startled as her new husband used her father's first name.

“Nor will you keep sisters apart.”

Tension filled the air as the two men glared at one another. One roiling with apparent, fiery anger. The other as cool and hard as ice. Then, as if deciding to be done with him, Dominic turned his back to Felton and focused on the three sisters.

“I am afraid we must be going now,” Dominic said to Lydia and Sarah. “Your papa appears tired and needs to go home for some rest, and we have a journey to take. But we will see you next week.”

“You will not speak to my children about me in that-”

Felton’s words were cut off as Dominic whirled and clutched his hand in what appeared to be a cordial handshake, and held him closer.

“You will not assume control anymore,” Dominic whispered, barely loud enough for Amelia to hear and surely not enough for the younger girls to hear. “You lost that when you sold your daughter. Do not forget who I am and what I am capable of, Felton. Now regain control of yourself. Congratulate your daughter on her marriage, andleave.”

Stunned, Amelia slowly reached down and took her sisters’ hands as Dominic released their father’s hand and took a step back. When he did so, Amelia could see that her father’s face had turned bright red, but there was no anger left in his expression.

“Congratulations, daughter,” Felton stated, his voice clipped, “On your marriage. I wish you all happiness.”

“Good,” Dominic breathed.

“Girls, come along,” Felton said then, “It is time to go home. You shall see your sister next week.”

Both girls turned in toward Amelia, and she bent down once more to embrace them tightly.

“See you soon,” she promised them.

As she watched them leave Amelia turned to Dominic with a questioning gaze.

“Who are you, Dominic?” She whispered.

Dominic took a long breath in through his nostrils as he crooked his arm and once more fiddled with his silver cuff- just as he had the night he’d bought her.

“I am the Duke of Ellsworth,” he replied calmly, “And your husband. Now come. It is time for us to go home.”

Amelia blinked in surprise as the footman opened the door and she found Theo, Rosamund, and Ophelia already in the carriage.

“Gorgeous darling!” Theo chirped warmly.

“Come right in,” Rosamund insisted, motioning for her to do so.

“Such a beautiful wedding,” Ophelia praised.

“What is this?” She asked of them, then turned to Dominic.