Page 18 of A Duchess to Reclaim (The Devil’s Masquerade #2)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Four weeks later

“Y ou really do make an amazing mother, you know that?”

Amelia turned to Rose as she felt her friend’s hand rub down down her back and gave her and her other friends a weak smile.

“I am not so sure,” she replied. “Our mothers all pushed us so hard toward education that I thought that giving the girls a nice long break would be good. But sometimes I wonder if it’s what I should be doing.”

She turned back to the girls, her smile growing a little stronger. Since returning to Ellsworth, Amelia had chosen to pause their studies. Not just their academics, but their societal training. They had gone on a different adventure every day, exploring Ellsworth’s grand private property until they learned every part. Though they kept a respective distance, guards followed them everywhere. A directive, no doubt from her husband.

This morning the girls had requested she take them back to the lake and dock they’d found and she readily agreed. Now Sarah and Lydia were stripped down to their chemises, splashing and giggling in the water. It was just shallow enough for it come up to Sarah’s shoulders, which was perfect since none of the ladies knew how to swim.

“Do not doubt yourself, Amelia,” Rose said. “You have no idea how often I have wished my mother would give me a break like this. To be able to not worry about being a lady or even a woman, and just relax in nature.”

“It is quite extraordinary out here,” Ophelia said in agreement. “Perhaps this is what I shall do when my mother finally gives up on marrying me off and allow me to become a spinster.”

Amelia let out a soft, singular laugh that had no real trace of mirth. She at one time had wished for a similar life, and now that she practically had it, it left her feeling empty. There was no doubt that having her sisters with her and away from their father forever had given her a deep and unbudging happiness, but she found it didn’t even begin touch the loss she felt from no longer having Dominic in her life. At least not in the physical sense.

Missives came from him almost daily; his name and London address scribbled in his handwriting across the front. But those were for Mr. Morbate or other members of the staff.

He sent gifts though. Several each week. Dresses, all in shades of her favorite purple and created in her favorite designs. Shoes as well. Combs. Jewelry. Little trinkets and baubles that either shone brightly or created a deep wonder over their origin. There was even Olga, a rather large, intimidating woman with the arms of a man and a thick Russian accent that was sent to continue Amelia’s boxing lessons. But never letters.

At her side Theo elbowed her gently and leaned toward her.

“Are you all right, love?” She whispered.

“Fine,” Amelia lied. She knew what Theo was truly asking. Do you miss him?

But Dominic was a topic she refused to speak on.

Knowing that not just Theo but the rest of her friends would ask her more questions if she carried on her contemplative silence for too long, she said, “Really I am quite exemplary. As long as the girls are happy then so am I. And perhaps you are all right. There’s no harm in a little break. They can pick up their studies when winter settles in.”

They all smiled at her and nodded.

“Tell me about you,” she urged, looking at Theo first. While Ophelia and Seraphina had been visiting since two days before, Theo and Rose had only just arrived that morning after nearly a week of absence and would only be staying until the evening.

Theo’s small smile wilted as she cast her eyes to the green grass.

“The physician says Mother is fading. Another month perhaps. Maybe two. Tristan has taken over making all of the preparations for her funeral and has pushed most of his duties on to his steward so he can be with her more. And he has agreed to allow me to put a pause on my husband catching so that I can spend more time with her as well. That, and being here has been my only two forms of relief.”

Sympathy poured through Amelia. Her own mother’s death had been sudden and heartbreaking, but she wondered if that had been better than knowing than the alternative. Knowing seemed a burden all its own.

“Is she in very much pain?” Amelia asked gently. Theo shook her head.

“Not very much anymore. The physician’s treatments keep her calm. It makes being with her better, even if she no longer recognizes who I am,” Theo replied.

She then shook her head, as if trying to shed some unspoken thought or feeling, and turned to Rosamund.

“Let us move on,” Theo said, “Rose, tell us about you? Your mother still pushing you to parties?”

Rose let out a dry laugh.

“Of course she is. I believe she has a very romantic idea of how I will catch my husband. One look and the gentleman of my dreams shall fall head over heels for me in an instant.”

“Surely cannot truly believe that is realistic?” Ophelia asked, grimacing.

“I am afraid so,” Rose laughed, “It’s why she casting me onto a wider circle. She is certain there is a gentleman out there who has not seen and ignored my presence.”

She sighed and shook her head.

“It is rather exhausting, but I am grateful that she allows me to come to visit out here every so often. It is a reprieve most sorely needed.”

“Well you are always welcome here, darling,” Amelia assured her.

They all turned to Seraphina next, who seemed to be in a daydreaming state. It took Amelia calling her name and Ophelia giving her a gentle shove to bring her out of it.

“Hmm? What’s that?” She asked, and Amelia and the others laughed softly.

Seraphina smiled at them, wide and genuine.

“Hugo and the children are wonderful. It has been a blessing for us to be back together again. I just miss them when I am away as all.”

She paused, then reached for Amelia’s hand before quickly adding, “Not that I don’t adore spending time with you darlings, I positively do. I apologize if that made me sound unhappy to be here.”

“Not at all,” Amelia replied, squeezing her friend’s hand warmly. “We are all so very happy that you are happy, darling. Are we not, ladies?”

Theo, Ophelia, and Rose were all quick to agree.

“How is being back in London?” Amelia then asked.

Seraphina let out a sigh.

“The first week was a bit awful. I felt like I couldn’t quite settle. My mysterious cousin who inherited my father’s title still has yet to make himself known and far too many people believe I have the answer to his whereabouts.

“Things are better now, though. Having Leah there helps. And there are more children for twins to play with.”

The urge to ask if Seraphina had seen Dominic at all was sudden and great, and she had to fight herself to stop from saying something. She didn’t need to know. Didn’t want to know.

“Ophelia? You?” Amelia asked, turning to face her.

Her friend smiled smugly and shimmied her shoulders.

“I have been stalwart in my refusal to attend any more parties this season and have been proven to be successful. Mother and Father have seemingly given up, for this year at least, and I have been filling my free time with painting.”

Amelia gave her wide smile. Ophelia had a true talent for painting, even if her parents currently refused to allow her to enter any of her work in the London Galleries.

“Would you mind giving Sarah and Lydia a painting lesson while you are visiting?” Amelia asked. “I believe they would love it.”

Ophelia’s smile widened.

“I would love to,” she replied, leaning forward to slap a hand gently over Amelia’s knee. “We can do it as soon as we get back to the manor. How does that sound?”

They stayed at the lake a little while longer, but as the sun started to dip to the west, Amelia called Sarah and Lydia from the water, and the guards came forward to help pack up their picnic. Light, fun chatter filled the air as they meandered back to the manor.

The gates were opening for them when Amelia caught something moving in her peripherals, sending a shiver down her spine. Quickly she whipped her head toward the movement, and caught the back of a man’s jacket disappearing behind a tall arbor tree. Wariness filled her. Was it her father? Dominic had warned her that men like him were never satisfied. Had he come for more money?

“Jonathan,” she called, summoning the head guard to her side.

He came to her right away and bowed.

“Your Grace?”

She nodded toward the arbor tree on the other side of the gate.

“Someone is out there. I saw him. Dispatch him immediately,” Amelia commanded.

Whether it was her father or not, she was taking no risks when it came to her sisters.

Jonathan gave her a furtive nod and subtly gathered two more of his men.

“Come along, girls, let us get you inside,” Amelia insisted, quickening her steps, “We must get you out of those wet clothes.”

“I am afraid this is where we must depart, darling,” Rose said sadly as they approached the manor’s front steps.

Amelia frowned as she noted the waiting carriage.

“Already?” She asked, “You cannot stay for supper?”

“Rose is right,” Theo sighed. “The day got away from us. It is best we leave now so we may make it back to London by sundown.”

Though disappointed, Amelia nodded, and moved in to hug them both. Ophelia and Seraphina were right behind her to bid their goodbyes.

“Come back soon,” Amelia insisted, giving Theo an extra hard squeeze.

“As soon as I can,” Theo promised.

As she pulled away, she laced her arm through Amelia’s and nodded toward the back of the carriage.

“Walk with me to the other side?”

“Of course,” Amelia agreed, falling in step with her.

They made it to the back of the carriage, but before they rounded the other side, Theo stopped them, and peered around the side.

“What are you doing?” Amelia asked.

“Making sure that Rose is in the carriage and Ophelia and Seraphina are inside,” Theo replied in a hurried whisper.

Amelia’s brows dipped as Theo’s lips pursed and she began to fidget.

“Theo, what’s wrong?” she asked, gripping Theo’s hands.

“I’m going back,” Theo blurted out.

Amelia stared at her in confusion.

“Yes,” she said slowly, then nodded to the carriage.

“No, no, I don’t mean back home. I’m going back to the Devil’s Masquerade,” Theo whispered urgently.

Amelia’s heart twisted with worry and she shook her head.

“No,” she demanded. “Theo? No. You cannot go back there. We just finished cleaning those rumors up, you cannot make a mess of things again!”

“The only reason we got caught last time was because I was not following the rules,” Theo replied quickly, her eyes dancing back and forth between Amelia and the manor, “I know better now, and I will be careful. I’m going.”

Amelia shook her head, still not believing her ears.

“Why?” She asked, “Why would you risk it again?”

“Because I cannot take this anymore!” Theo burst out. Then she quickly pressed her lips together as she once more looked around to make sure they were still alone.

Sympathy poured through Amelia as she watched her friend unravel.

“I cannot take the present. I cannot take watching my mother die a slow, horrible death, I cannot take seeing my brother break a little more everyday under his responsibilities, and I cannot-”

Theo drew in a deep breath through her nose as she closed her eyes, her hands tightening on Amelia’s.

“I cannot keep seeing you pretending to cover up your pain,” she finished, her tone low and remorseful.

Amelia felt her heartache worsen at her friend’s words. She blinked back the sudden wave of tears, saying nothing. What could she say? She was trying to hide her agony as much as she could but she knew all of her friends saw it. They were just kind enough to pretend otherwise.

“I am sorry, Amelia. But I cannot take it anymore. I need a reprieve. A few moments where I am not me. Where I am simply…beautiful and wanted. I want to be Calypso again!”

Amelia shook her head slowly, looking at her friend with pitying eyes.

“It is obvious that you are not going to let me stop you,” she said at last. “You will do as you please. I beg you though, be careful. If someone identifies you again it could create chaos worse than before.”

She tried to pull her hands away from Theo’s but her friend tightened her grip.

“I won’t,” Theo replied. “Because you are going to be there right beside me to ensure that I don’t act foolish.”

Amelia’s jaw dropped and this time despite Theo’s tightened grip, she yanked her hands away.

“Do not be ridiculous, Theo! There is no chance I am going to do this again,” she whispered furiously. “Do you have any idea how much it would hurt Dominic if he found out?”

Theo tsked and scowled.

“You mean the man who ripped your heart out and stomped on it?” She retorted.

“The man that gave me my sisters!” Amelia hissed.

“He. Still. Hurt. You. Amelia,” Theo replied, enunciating every word.

No longer able to hold them back, tears began to slip down Amelia’s cheeks. Her friend’s words were as painful as they were true. No matter how numbly she’d told Dominic she understood his needs. It still hurt that she hadn’t been enough to change them.

Theo suddenly grabbed Amelia’s shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Please do this for me,” she whispered in a pleading tone. “Please, Amelia. Just one last time. I won’t ask you to do this ever again, I swear. But I need this. I need the freedom.”

Amelia pressed her eyes shut as her chin wobbled. Her heart, already in pieces, felt like it was being torn into even smaller bits. Theo needed her. Just as she had needed Theo when Dominic had left right after their wedding. Risky or not, she knew she needed to help her friend.

“Very well,” she whispered into Theo’s ear.

She gently untangled herself from her friend’s grasp, and was grateful that Theo allowed her to do. As she pulled away, Theo let out a huff of a relief and her shoulders sagged.

“You mean it?” She asked, her eyes shining with hope.

Feeling defeated and cornered, Amelia nodded.

“One last time,” she replied, holding up a finger. “And I mean it, Theo. No more. I am so, so sorry for what you are going through, but I cannot let this become a constant. We go. We forget our worries and woes for a few hours. And then we go back to reality because that is what we must do. We must face our lives. Even if we don’t want to.”

“Thank you,” Theo breathed, starting to bounce on her feet. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Amelia only nodded, already feeling as if she made a mistake.

“When are we going?” She asked.

“Can you be in London on Friday?” Theo asked.

Amelia nodded again, her tattered heart sinking further.

Theo gripped her shoulders and pulled her forward, kissing both Amelia’s cheeks.

“You are a true friend, Amelia,” she replied excitedly. “I will owe you forever this.”

“You certainly will,” Amelia retorted, gently pushing her friend away. “Now you best get in the carriage. Rose is no doubt wondering where you’ve gone.”

“I will see you Friday,” Theo replied, taking steps to round the carriage. “Eleven o’clock at our usual place.”

Amelia wiped away her tears as the carriage pulled away, drawing in deep breaths to fight the ache in her chest. Straightening her shoulders, she pulled herself together and began walking toward the steps.

“Pardon, Your Grace,” Jonathan said, walking up to her.

“Yes, what is it?” She asked.

Jonathan nodded toward the gate.

“We searched the premises, but there was no one out there. Are you sure you saw someone?”

Amelia let out a sigh. She’d been so caught off guard by Theo’s words that she’d completely forgotten that she had seen someone…but had she really? She’d been so distracted lately. Perhaps she’d hoped it was Dominic coming back.

She shook her head, wanting now more than ever to go inside and go directly to bed. She was sure Ophelia wouldn’t mind giving her painting lesson to the girls alone.

“Perhaps my eyes were just playing tricks on me, Jonathan. Apologies for sending you on a wild goose chase.”

“No apologies necessary, Your Grace,” Jonathan answered immediately. “We are under strict orders to protect you at any costs. Any time you feel unsafe, you must tell us right away.”

Tears filled Amelia’s eyes again, and she turned her head away from him to hide them.

“Thank you, Jonathan,” she replied, her tone wavering. Without another word, she finished walking up the steps, paused inside only briefly to speak with Ophelia, and went to bed for the rest of the night.