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“Don’t ever apologize for taking care of your children,” Amelia replied quickly, leading her into the room.

After the childhood Seraphina had, she chose a different path than most noble ladies when it came to raising her children. Instead of hiring nannies and a wet nurse, she had taken over the care of her children herself; no doubt showering them with the love and attention she’d never received from her own mother, Mary.

“How are Percy and Persephone?” Amelia asked.

At the gathering they had all had a good row about whether or not Seraphina would have a boy or a girl; then God played the ultimate card and gave her both.

“Beautiful. Wonderful,” Seraphina sighed happily, “And tiring.”

She erupted into giggles and the rest of them joined her.

“They are under the care of their Aunt Leah this week while I join Hugo here in the city.”

Her smiled dipped a little and she squirmed slightly in her seat.

“I must say though, being back does not exactly fill me with excitement. Not that I am not beyond thrilled to see you ladies, but I am already ready to go home.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Amelia sighed.

Seraphina looked at her with her kind blue eyes and reached out to keep Amelia’s cheek.

“You and I will speak later of our married lives,” she promised, her eyes searching Amelia’s face.

“For now though, I can see that a game is certainly warranted.”

Relief poured through Amelia, appreciating so much that her friends could read her so well.

“Come,” Seraphina said, clapping her hands together. “What shall we play?”

“And what shall we drink?” Ophelia giggled, getting up.

Amelia tensed as her friends all cheered in agreement.

“I don’t know,” she said slowly, “Perhaps I shouldn’t. Being back in London, I feel as if I should keep my wits about me.”

“Oh, pish-posh,” Seraphina teased. “You are with your friends! There is no need for wits with us. Wine, I think. At least to start. Then some fantastic punch my cook makes. My maid knows the recipe, she shall deliver it downstairs.”

“Oh, yes,” Ophelia replied willingly, looking at Amelia with wide, pleading eyes.

“Come, darling, the rest of the week will be so tense. Have a bit of fun with us before it starts, hmmm?”

Amelia looked around at the warm, loving faces of her friends, all silently egging her on to have some enjoyment; and she couldn’t help but break into a smile.

“All right,” she conceded with a laugh, “But if you are choosing the drink then I am choosing the game. And I want to play Blind Man’s Bluff.”

A chorus of cheers and happy claps rose from Amelia’s friends, and she called for Eve to bring them all wine.

* * *

“Welcome back, old boy,” Everett boomed, sliding his hand into Dominic’s.

Dominic smirked and raised a brow as his friend drew close; a cloud of whiskey-scented air along with him.

“Jesus, Everett, I see you’ve been keeping White’s in business while I’ve been away,” Dominic teased, giving his friend a playful shove.

Everett grinned from ear to ear as he fell back into his chair, nearly toppling over.

“Of course I have,” he boasted, “It is a responsibility. And I-hiccup-take my responsibilities very seriously.”