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Amelia watched as a shiver ran down her friend’s spine, and she wished more than anything she could take the worry away.No wonder she came to me so often,she thought.

“Tristan says Dominic is looking for a better physician.” Theo said.

Amelia’s brows flew up in surprise.

“He is?” She asked.

Theo nodded.

“One he’d met on his travels within this last year, according to Tristan. It will take him some time to get here. Apparently he runs a facility in Italy. He should be here in a couple of months. If my mother is still alive by then.”

Amelia paused. She’d never known Dominic to be so kind. Not that she knew him much at all. And the parts of him that he did show her- well. They were nothing short of confusing. Saving her. Abandoning her. Growling at her. And then that kiss…that kiss so passionate that it had swept everything away from her but that aching need that had done nothing but build up in her body for the last year.

She told herself that it was because she was getting older. That, after reading romance novels for so long, her mind was yearning for what she fantasized. Part of her though…part of her felt that it was more than that. And she didn’t know whether to be curious or terrified.

Her husband was a handsome man, there was no denying it. But he’d made his disinterest in her known from the beginning. He’d done her a favor. That was all. Still, the longing to be kissed by him had been plaguing her the last two days; making it hard to even look at him.

Feeling her mood darken again, Amelia mentally shoved away her thoughts, and chose to speak of something else.

“Dominic has advised we host a party at the end of this week,” she said, picking up her cup of tea. “To alert society that he has returned.”

“Yes, we all received invitations,” Ophelia said, smiling with excitement.

“The entiretonis abuzz with it,” Rose added. “I heard people talking when I was out shopping with Mother. The Duke of Ellsworth rarely invites people into his home, so absolutelyeveryoneis coming.”

“We can help,” Theo replied eagerly. “I could use the distraction.”

“Oh, yes, let us help,” Rose added, clapping her hands.

“I would love that,” Amelia agreed, “Dominic stated he would have certain demands for the party, but has not given them to me yet. As soon as he does though we can get started.”

“He’d better hurry,” Ophelia laughed. “It is only four days away now. How fast does he expect you to move?”

Amelia smirked.

“I know very little about my husband, but one thing I do know is that once a command is given, it is expected to be obeyed with haste.”

While Amelia laughed- though she didn’t know why, her friends gave her tense looks.

“How is it,” Theo asked gently, “Having him home?”

Amelia squirmed uncomfortably in her chair and shook her head.

“I do not wish to talk of such things,” she replied. “In fact I do not wish to talk anymore at all. Let us take a break from chatter and play a game.”

“Oh, but I only just arrived,” A lovely familiar voice rang from the sunroom door. “I want to hear all the chatter!”

Amelia and the others turned, and bright happy smiles sprung from their faces as they saw Seraphina.

“Seraphina!” They all sang in unison, rushing out of their chairs.

A chorus of giggles erupted from them as a smiling Seraphina opened her arms and embraced them tightly.

“Oh, my darling girls,” Seraphina gushed, “How I have missed you!”

“And we have missed you,” Amelia answered, followed quickly by the others.

“I am so sorry it has been so long,” Seraphina sighed as she looked lovingly to each of her friends. “I meant to come visit you in Ellsworth, but the babies needed me much.”