Page 18 of The Unwanted Duchess

“I assure you that your name was not said.”

“In which case, might you tell me which duke it is that Lady Samantha is to stay away from?”

Miss Norton seemed to redden at his words.

“Oh, Your Grace, is that what you were referring to?”

“Yes, and I believe you knew that.”

“I — yes, well, it is only because Lady Samantha and I were talking.”

“Yes, about myself and my brother.”

“Not in any negative way, I promise you that.”

“Perhaps not towards my brother and I but certainly towards Lady Samantha, who to my knowledge has been nothing but good to you. Now, you ought to remember that this is not your home, and you are every bit as much a guest as Lady Samantha is, and you should act accordingly. This behavior is highly unbecoming, and it is not the sort that I would like my brother to be engaging with, no matter how much he believes he likes you.”

He was being incredibly rude and abrasive, but somehow, Samantha found it more palatable when it seemed to be in her defense.

“What your brother and I have,” Miss Norton snapped, “is something that you do not understand, and you never shall. We are both practical people, and we know that it is advantageous on both sides.”

“In terms of personality, yes, you are certainly well matched, but that does not signify. I suggest that you keep my name out of your mouth in future. Do you understand me?”

Miss Norton held his gaze for a moment before her lips cracked into a smirk.

“Very well, Your Grace. Believe me, I shall never need to speak your name again, especially after what your brother will announce this evening.”

“And what might that announcement be, exactly?”

“Wouldn’t you love to know? Unfortunately, I cannot say. Nicholas says you will only attempt to put a stop to it if you find out, and so I am to keep quiet about it which has been so incredibly difficult. You know how much I adore gossip.”

“Think about your next words very carefully,” he warned.

“Very well, I will,” she nodded, smiling politely. “Good day, Your Grace, Lady Samantha.”

As she walked away, Samantha felt herself grow angry once more. The Duke’s face when he turned to her only made it far worse.

“Lady Samantha, I —”

“Why did you do that?” she asked. “I had it in hand.”

“She was being unkind.”

“Yes, but what is new there? I shall remind you that you have had a few unkind things to say to me too.”

“Yes, but it is different when it is Miss Norton. She is dangerous.”

“And an influential duke is not? Truly, it is the birthright of all men to believe so wholly that they know how to handle matters between ladies?”

“Lady Samantha, you do not understand.”

“No, of course, I do not. I do not understand anything, do I? I am merely a dim young lady that is floundering around all of you wonderful and high-ranking members of society.”

“That is not what I am saying. Miss Norton has the same values as my brother, and trust me when I say that that can only be a bad thing.”

“Be that as it may, I am more than capable of handling a smug little upstart such as her. I know you may see me as inexperienced and immature or even opportunistic, but you should think at least a little more highly of me than that. I have handled far worse without the pity of a duke, and that will not change simply because you think it should.”

“Lady Samantha, I believe she knows.”

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