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The hand on her abdomen went to her hand then, and that wave turned into a spark. It traveled up her arm as he laced his fingers through hers and pulled her to her side. Despite the tension of the moment, heat coursed through her veins as he pressed her back to his chest, laid their joined hands across her abdomen, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“You can recognize your daughter for what she is,” Dominic went on, “A duchess. A lady above your own station. Bow to her as she is owed. Refer to her as ‘Your Grace’ as you do so with a true sense of fealty. You do that. I shall pay you whatever you wish.”

Amelia felt another brief moment of pure glee at Dominic’s command, but it quickly faded as she watched her father bristle before them. Though Amelia’s face with right beside Dominic’s, it was notherFelton was looking at. The red shame that had stained his cheeks only a moment ago seeped out of his complexion as his eyes remained trained on Dominic’s face.

She could not see the expression on her husband's face, but she could tell by the one on her father's that it was a dangerous one. He was frightened,trulyfrightened at whatever he saw.

“Go on,” Dominic’s said by her ear, his voice strangely seductive.

But Felton said nothing. Instead he closed his open mouth and took a step back. Then another. And without a word, he turned around and left the property at a quick pace.

“Cowardly man,” Dominic said with disgust as they watched him leave.

He then stepped back and twirled her around to face him, both hands framing her jaw. There was a hardness to his intense gaze as he looked over slowly.

She’d forgotten. In her anger toward him for leaving her. For making her return to London the moment he got back. For confusing her senses. She’d forgotten that Dominicwasdangerous. Ruthless. He was a man not to be angered.

He had saved her. Saved Eve, and nearly every person in his house. But he was not gentle; had not done so out of the generosity of his heart. He’d saved them all with a string attached.

“Did he hurt you?” He asked, a snarl in his voice.

“I forgot,” she whispered.

“What?”

She blushed as she realized she’d just spoken her thought aloud, and stepped out of his grasp.

“Nothing. I meant to say no. He didn’t hurt me. Mr. Morbate and the guards stopped him before he could.”

“Glad to know they’re still doing their jobs,” Dominic grunted. “Though I am certainly going to have a discussion with them about Felton being able to make it onto the property at all.”

Amelia took another step away from him, her thoughts churning over her realization. She should be afraid too. And yet as she reached for the feeling, she grasped nothing of the sort. If anything, she felt her desire for him to return.

Dominic eyed her suspiciously.

“Are you sure you are all right?” He asked her.

He reached for her again and although she very much wanted to feel his touch, she stepped back.

“I’m perfectly fine,” she lied.

Though it was not her father’s visit she was now worried about, but her feelings for the man before her.

“I need to go check on Eve,” she said when Dominic’s look of suspicion grew more intense.

“We must get started on my packing if we are returning tonight.”

“No,” he said quickly, making her pause as she turned away from him.

“I promised you three days. We shall leave tomorrow afternoon.”

Gratitude washed over her, and again she felt that tug on her heart. Ignoring it, she simply nodded and continued to walk away.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

“Iunderstand, Your Grace. It will not happen again.”

“Be sure that it doesn’t,” Dominic insisted gruffly as Mr. Morbate poured his tea.