Page 10 of A Duchess to Reclaim (The Devil’s Masquerade #2)

CHAPTER TEN

“G ood morning, Your Grace,” Andrew, the London house butler greeted her the next morning.

“Good morning, Andrew,” Amelia replied, offering a small smile as her breakfast plate was placed before her.

“If I may say so, Your Grace, you look much recovered from last night.”

Amelia’s smile froze, but she nodded. She’d made it through the party without hearing any more rumors. By the end of it though she’d felt more than exhausted, and had gone to bed without even attempting to look for Dominic. Space, she decided, was what she needed from him. And luckily for her, there were a few days before she would be forced into appearing as the wife while socializing with the ton again. Today she would focus on happier matters.

“Have the reports from Ellsworth arrived yet?” She asked, picking up her fork.

“Indeed they have, Your Grace. I have them right here for you. His Grace has already looked them over.”

Andrew laid the portfolio by her plate, and as she began to eat her breakfast, she perused through the information. She paid her usual attention to the farming and staffing issues, skimming over them with bare interest, then began to flip through the portfolio for the section of the house updates.

Her brows furrowed and she paused mid-chew when she saw the stop action order that had been placed on her aviary.

“Andrew,” she called, pointing to the letter. “What is this?”

Andrew read the letter over her shoulder and said, “I believe is says that work on the aviary has stopped, Your Grace.”

She dropped her fork, no longer hungry, and glared up at him.

“And why do you think that would be?” She asked.

Andrew gave her a pleading look as he shrugged his shoulders.

“I would not know, Your Grace, but it appears to be His Grace’s signature at the bottom of the form. Perhaps he would know.”

Annoyance bristled through her as Amelia abandoned her breakfast and stalked toward Dominic’s study. Without pretense she shoved the door open with so much force it bounced off the wall with a resounding moan. Dominic, his solicitor, and Hugo all looked at her. The last two looked at her with wide-eyed astonishment, but Dominic glared with forthright impatience.

“I believe that finalizes things,” Hugo said, picking up his portfolio. “We shall leave you two to your morning.”

“You don’t need to go anywhere,” Dominic said, still glaring at Amelia.

“I know what happens when wives burst in like that,” Hugo replied, coming around Dominic’s desk, “Trust me, I do. Good to see you, Amelia. Excellent party yesterday.”

“Please tell Seraphina I shall join her at her married ladies club later today,” Amelia said as he passed, not taking her eyes off of her husband.

Hugo mumbled his agreement, and made his way out of the office; closing the door behind him.

“I feel as if I have been quite patient with you, Amelia, but one thing I won’t tolerate is a business deal interruption,” Dominic told her, rising from his chair. “As I told you last night, my life is all about transactions.”

“I remember,” she said icily.

She stalked toward him and threw the morning’s portfolio on his desk.

“Explain this at once. Why did you stop my work on the aviary? I wanted it completed by the time we got back.”

“Because it is an outrageous waste of money,” Dominic retorted, coming round to sit on the edge of his desk.

She noted how he’d gone quickly back to his black suits, and despised how her body responded to how well he wore them.

I wonder how he looks beneath his clothes? The thought suddenly bloomed in her mind. Are his muscles as rigid as they feel through the fabric?

“Amelia.”

Amelia wrenched her eyes away from his torso, realizing she’d been staring, and blushed wildly as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“I want that aviary, Dominic,” she stated, “I want my birds. They are symbolic to me.”

He raised an amused brow as he tilted his chin.

“How so?” He inquired.

“Because they remind me of myself.” She said, and even as she spoke the words, she realized how selfish she sounded. Dominic must have too, for he let out a demeaning laugh.

“So you’ll cage wild, beautiful animals meant to be free just so that you may have a visual representation of yourself to look upon?” He asked.

“That does not sound kind, Amelia.”

“What would you know about kindness?” She flung back, suddenly feeling small and hurt.

Dominic’s brows dipped into a frown as he got up from the edge of his desk to stand before her. Her legs began to quake as he towered over her, but damn her if she couldn’t tell if it were out of fear or arousal. Being this close to him, catching his masculine scent of wild sea air and fir trees- images of their dance last night flashed through her mind; making her shiver.

His voice had been so hypnotic. His words perfectly sensual as he created a mental picture of peace for her to hang on to.

She grit her teeth in frustration, but when she went to move a step back, Dominic’s hand reached out and caught her arm; keeping her in place.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked.

“Back to Ellsworth,” she told him.

She tried to shake off his hand but he wouldn’t budge. Instead his other hand reached out and snaked around her back, pinning her to him.

“I don’t think so,” he replied, shaking his head as he stared down at her. “Those men you hired were doing more ogling at you than actual work. Even if I did agree to resume work on the aviary, it’s not going to be while you’re there. The fools would probably build it subpar, and what would happen to your precious birds if their new gilded cage collapsed in on them? Besides, you and I have more work to do here. Last night was a good start but we are far from done.”

Amelia felt her face redden with frustration as she heard his condescending tone, but she forced herself to think. If she didn’t know any better she might have thought him jealous. But she knew her husband only enjoyed her when torturing her. Almost as much as he enjoyed business.

Business, she thought, an idea forming in her head. He liked business more than anything. Perhaps that was something she could work with.

“I should like to strike a deal with you then,” she said.

Amelia un-balled her fist and ran her hand smoothly down the front of his shirt. She could have sworn she heard Dominic’s breath hitch as she did so; and most certainly noted how quickly even more heat began to radiate from him.

“What sort of deal?” He murmured.

His hand gripping at her back lost some of its firmness, and something like a caress swept up her spine. She tried to ignore the shiver of pleasure it brought her and pressed forward.

“I will promise to stay here, away from the so-called ogling workers. And I will put more effort into swaying the ton that we are perfect husband and wife. In return, you will allow the workers to continue on with the aviary. They have the plans. I suppose I don’t really need to be there. And Mrs. Morbate can send me updates. If any changes need to be made, she can alert me and I can correct them from here.”

Dominic looked down at her a long moment, his hand continuing that trailing caress up and down her spine so effortlessly, she wondered if he even knew he was doing it. Did he like touching her? Did she want her to touch him? They had argued so much since he’d returned, and they’d discussed so little when before he’d left.

Could it be possible- could they both possibly have an inclination toward one another? Even if they barely knew the other?

“Tell me something,” he said, startling her out of her reverie.

She blinked, nodded. I have to stop getting distracted like this. But why does he feel so damned good?

“The rumors,” he murmured, reaching up to stroke a stray lock of hair from her eyes. “Is that truly all that you fear from these people? Yesterday you looked ready to drop dead in my arms.”

That mental shield of protection she’d worked so hard to put up the past year began to waver, and she felt her body relax a little into his.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she whispered, tremble running through her.

“Try me,” he replied evenly.

She took a deep breath, feeling her heart begin to hammer. Could she trust him with the truth?

“I know word never got out of me being sold because of you,” she said softly. “And though I don’t always act like it, I am grateful. You don’t understand what that would have done to my reputation had you prevented it.”

“Because of your former betrothed,” Domininc answered, his jaw tightening, “And the rumors he spread about you and your… willingness. I could see how adding being sold would amplify the ability to call you a few harsh words.”

“It’s not just the rumors I have been fighting,” Amelia murmured. “It’s the memories.”

Dominic’s eyes narrowed in curiosity as he looked down at her. She tried to look away, but he caught her chin and held her still.

“What memories?” He asked.

Amelia swallowed. Even now she felt a vile tremor shiver through her as she recalled Roland’s rough hands and painful kisses.

“It was not I that was so willing to start our marriage rites early,” she forced out, feeling shame tint her cheeks. “It was him. He wanted…he tried…”

Amelia tried to find the right words, but in doing so it caused her throat to close and her eyes to burn.

“It hurt,” she rasped out.

Dominic’s body grew rigid as a murderous rage filled his silver eyes.

“Amelia,” he bit out, “I need you to be clear. Did he take your virtue without your permission?”

“No,” she half-sobbed, half-breathed. “No he did not get that far but he tried. And ever since…ever since I have tried to regain some control, some right back to my own body. It’s why I like the Devil’s Masquerade. I can feel beautiful and vulnerable, but yet I still have full control of myself. No one can touch me without my permission. And I…I have come to love withholding that permission.”

Dominic was silent a long moment as they stayed locked together, but after a few moments, Amelia was dying to know what he was thinking. Feeling.

“I need to know something right now,” he forced out, his tone vibrating with an edge. “No teasing, no pretense. Amelia. Did you feel that way- the way you did when Roland touched you- when I kissed you?”

Heat fanned over Amelia’s cheeks as she trembled in his arms.

“No,” she confessed. “No one has made me feel what you have made me feel. And I may hate that, but I…” She couldn’t believe what she was about to confess… “But I also enjoy it.”

Dominic’s rigid body released a deep breath, and to her surprise, he pulled his hands away from her and took a step back.

“You may have your aviary,” he stated calmly, walking back around his desk. “I will send word to Ellsworth to resume construction. I accept your deal.”

Amelia was left to stand on her own, feeling strangely cold and discontent as she watched Dominic go back to work.

“My sisters sent word that my father is out of town for a few days,” she said, changing the subject. “If you don’t have anything planned for today, I think I shall go visit them. It’s been a week since they’ve come to Ellsworth.”

“Go,” he said dismissively, not looking up from his paperwork. “Have a pleasant time.”

* * *

“Sister!” Lydia and Sarah called in unison as they raced down the stairs.

Amelia mentally pushed away the immediate dread she felt upon stepping into her father’s house. Memories of the last time she’d been inside plagued her mind. The fear, the worry she felt as she’d put on her best dress; knowing absolutely nothing of where she was being taken or what was about to happen to her.

“My darlings!” Amelia gushed, opening her arms to hold them close. She smiled wide as she held them, the painful memories from earlier already sliding away.

“I can’t believe you came back to London,” Lydia said excitedly. “Are you going to be here more often?”

“Oh, I think not,” Amelia sighed, taking their hands. “But I am here for the time being, so I thought I’d hold our lessons here. Have you been practicing your finger work since your last visit?”

“Yes,” they both chirped as they led her to the parlor where the pianoforte sat.

“Go warm up with a few scales,” she encouraged them both, “while I have a quick word with your governesses.”

Amelia waited until they were both seated on the piano bench and focused on the keys before she turned to her sisters’ governesses, Miss Chiron and Miss Gerhardt.

“How have they been?” She asked.

“Lydia is staying on task with all of her lessons and is excelling in her reading and piano,” Miss Chiron stated proudly.

“Sarah is quite taken by books as well, but her musical talent lies more in singing. She’s also taken quite an interest in lacemaking,” Miss Gerhardt replied with a warm smile.

“That is wonderful news,” Amelia sighed with relief. “I am happy to hear it. And my father? Is he still balking against the idea of you being here, or has he accepted your presence?”

Worried that her father had given up raising his daughters properly after he’d been so low to take her to auction, Amelia had hired the governesses to not only help them with their education, but to keep watchful eyes on her sisters while she could not. She had been sure when she’d first sent them that her father was going to retaliate, but she’d never heard from him.

“The Lord is gone most days,” Miss Chiron replied, her smile waning a little. “But he does spend time with the girls when he is home.”

“How is he with them?” Amelia asked quickly, worried.

The governesses shared a brief, tense look.

“He is cordial,” Miss Gerhardt answered. “Though when they return from their visits with you he questions them. And us.”

“And what do you report?” Amelia answered anxiously.

“Only of your lessons. Where they are with their education. The girls speak of what they learn. Nothing about you.”

Amelia forced herself to breathe.

“Good. That is good.”

“There…there is something else though,” Miss Chiron added apprehensively. “Your father has had guests.”

Amelia looked at her quizzically.

“Gentlemen guests,” Miss Chiron went on. “For the girls. He won’t tell us a thing, but we believe he is trying to arrange marriages.”

Amelia paled. Sarah still had at least three more years before the marriage mart, and Lydia several more.

“Are these guests…fathers of eligible gentlemen?” She asked. It wasn’t so uncommon for parents to arrange marriages, even at her sisters’ young ages.

Miss Chiron looked down.

“No, Your Grace. They’re not bachelors. Some quite on in age.”

Fear and disgust slithered through Amelia’s bloodstream, making her knees weak.

“Very well,” she whispered, trying to gather herself. “I shall see what I can do about that. Thank you, ladies, for looking over my sisters.”

“It is the least we can do,” Miss Gerhardt said softly. “They are such good girls.”

“And with the increased rate your husband has given us recently, we have the most prized positions in all of London now.”

Amelia glanced at them in surprise.

“My husband increased your salaries?” She asked. She hadn’t even been aware that Dominic knew that she’d hired the governesses.

“Just a week or so ago,” Miss Gerhardt answered. “Around the time he returned to London.”

Amelia thought on this for a moment, not sure how to feel about it.

“Thank you, ladies,” she said politely, giving them a dismissive nod. “For everything. I believe I shall spend time with my sisters now.”

The two governesses curtseyed, and left her to attend to Sarah and Lydia. They practiced piano for a time, then Sarah sang her a new song that Lydia had written her. The day passed with warmth and laughter, and though there was a heaviness in her heart the entire time, Amelia smiled lovingly and purely with her sisters.

Before she took her leave though and after Miss Chiron and Miss Gerhardt had taken them away for supper, Amelia decided to go upstairs to her old room. Standing in it, she looked around at the completely new arrangement. All of her old things had been cleaned out, even her bed. Not a stitch of her remained in what now appeared to be just another guest room.

She then walked downstairs, going once more into the parlor and then library. Her little crafts, the embroidered pieces that once graced small spaces in the rooms. They were all gone as well.

Suddenly feeling as if the vast space was closing in on her, Amelia hurried from the house, tears wavering in her eyes, and demanded the driver to take her home. She had to get her sisters away from her father, she decided then and there. Permanently. Or she feared they would be erased just as she had.