Page 73 of The Unwanted Duchess

However, he had seen more and more of his mother in himself since he met Samantha. She awakened something in him that he never knew existed, nor that he knew he wanted to see. She made him calmer, more protective, and he loved it about her. Part of wondered why he had left the house at all that morning when he could have spent time with his wife and her sister.

What he could do, though, was finish his surprise for her. Davis had located the correct flowers, and all that was left to do was decorate the pavilion for her. He so hoped that she would adore it.

“Ah, Your Grace!” Davis called when he saw him. “I was about to begin without you. Where have you been?”

“It does not matter,” he replied gently, shaking his head. “Now, do you think this will be difficult to do?”

“Not particularly. It is nothing that we cannot handle at least.”

“Wonderful, because I need something good to happen today.”

They remained silent for a moment, and then Davis cleared his throat.

“Do you wish to discuss where you have been today?”

“I do not have a particular desire to, no, but I suppose it is best that I do.”

“Well, I am here to listen when you are ready.”

“I visited Andrew today.”

Davis froze.

“I can see why you have returned out of sorts, then. Was it awful?”

“He wants nothing to do with me, and I cannot say I blame him.”

“Give him time, and make sure he knows that you are there should he ever need you.”

“He will only ever need my money. If that is how it is going to be, then I would rather not know him at all.”

“He is angry, nothing more,” Davis explained. “In your absence, the boy was lonely. He asked after you a lot, but nobody ever knew what to tell him. We hardly knew anything ourselves.”

“I know, and there is nothing I regret more. I should have stayed for his sake. I left him with our father until the end. It is no wonder that he does not want to see me.”

“Give him some time and then write to him. He will want to see you in time. He cared far too much about you not to.”

“It is not only that, Davis. He told me I was like our father. I cannot help but think that he is right.”

“Then you should discuss it with your wife once we are done here. She will be able to tell you.”

“I will, but not tonight. Tonight will be about her. I so hope that she loves this, you know. She deserves to be happy.”

“You care for her a great deal. If it is any help, that proves to me that you are nothing like your father.”

“Here is hoping that you are right.”

They continued to work in silence, and soon enough, their work was done. Despite feeling saddened at missing Diana’s visit, Graham couldn’t help but feel satisfied with how good their gift looked. Samantha would be happy with it, at least, and that was all that he cared about.

They had wrapped branches of hortensias around the pillars, with cornflowers placed between them, and then placed candles inside ready to be lit when she arrived. She would adore it, he was sure, and for the first time in a long time, everything would be simple and easy.

He simply had to get her, first.

Diana had left a few hours before. Graham knew she had left, but there was no way for him to say his goodbyes without Samantha questioning what he was doing, so he made a note to apologize for his absence when he saw her again. He also assumed that Samantha would be in the drawing room, likely having tea after a day of redecorating.

He was almost sad that she would eventually be finished. Her work made her shine in a way he had never seen anyone do before, and he couldn’t help but be drawn to it. Not only that, but she was good at it. He needed to tell her that once more because he was quite aware that thanks to her father, she doubted herself a great deal. He had to prove the Earl wrong and make her feel good and capable.

Then he entered the drawing room.

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