Page 29 of The Unwanted Duchess

Samantha was not grateful. She was not happy about anything that was happening, but at least, her father was happy. He was at least bearable when he was happy.

She did not know entirely why she was so desperate to stay. She would have to spend the rest of her life with the Duke, and so what was the use in seeing him at breakfast? Perhaps it was the fact that she had given him her word or even that it meant thatnobody would receive a goodbye from her, not to mention the fact that she would not see Penelope again for a long time.

“My apologies, Father,” she sighed. “I am grateful; of course, I am. Any young lady in my position would feel the same.”

“There. That was not so difficult, was it?”

It was, but Samantha could not tell him that.

Once in the carriage, her father seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then, all that he could do was smile. Samantha was not surprised by this; he had successfully shipped off both of his daughters, and now, he was ready for the only child of his that had ever truly mattered to him. All of his time and energy could be showered upon this wonderful heir, and Samantha somehow knew that there would magically be more of both to go around now that it was for a son.

“Now,” he continued, “Diana and her husband are permitted to attend as that is the proper thing to do, but I expect the two of you to be on your best behavior. I cannot have the two of you embarrassing me.”

Ah yes,Samantha thought. Becauseit was Diana and I that brought shame upon our family name.

“Of course. Perhaps we might also keep the two of you separated throughout the event?”

She had asked this hopefully because it was well known that they could not stand each other, and it had only grown worse after Diana had married her husband. She was no longer afraid of him and was therefore more willing to speak her mind. She couldn’t have known, however, that even though his anger never impacted herself or her husband, it always impacted Samantha.

“We cannot do that — as much as I would like it. We must give a good showing to theton, and you know that. We are a happy family — even happier now that you are to be married. Truly, I have outdone myself this time.”

Samantha had to fight not to roll her eyes in indignation. She had assumed that he would credit himself with his ‘triumph’, but she also knew that he was completely unaware of the reality of the situation. He had simply decided that his threat had worked, and she had cowered. Samantha wondered which scenario he would prefer, but she did not dare reveal the truth to him.

It was more than likely that he would congratulate her for doing something to entrap a husband, but there was also a chance that he would berate her, and worse, for being so improper. That was not a risk that she wished to take.

“Have you and the Duke discussed the date?” she asked, “I believe it would be prudent to wait a while.”

“I hate that idea, and fortunately, the Duke agreed with me. Whatever you did to him seems to have made him eager, I shall give you that.”

“I did not do anything, Father.”

“Come now, you and I both know that gentlemen like him do not marry girls like you. I am not angry with you for it. The ends have clearly justified the means of whatever it was that you did. In fact, I am proud of you.”

She hated her father, but what she hated even more was the fact that that praise, the first bit of good he had ever said to her in her life, made her feel even the tiniest bit happy. She did not rely on him to make her content — she could not — but even so she had to admit that it was nice to have a father that was proud of her.

The Duke was clearly afraid of what his brother would do. That was the only reason Samantha could think of for him to want to have the wedding as soon as possible. It would be a terrible process, including applying for a special license, not to mention going before the queen if it were rejected, and she was terrified. They would have to prove their true and undying love, professing it before judgment could be passed, and it was clear to anyone that saw them together that there was simply no love there. The Duke had made a good showing when he proposed, but Samantha was not so sure that she would be so believable nor that the Duke could do it a second time.

“When will he arrive?” she dared to ask.

“Who?”

“Him.”

“Ah, my boy! Well, it is not confirmed as yet. He seems to be missing some of his things, but once all of his affairs are in order, I cannot see it being too long at all.”

“In which case, might the wedding be put on hold until he arrives? It would be a good way for him to meet some members of theton.”

“I suggested that, but the Duke seemed to want the ceremony to be held urgently. That is why I shall be arranging it; he is undergoing the process for the license. Then again, I suppose it might urge Adam along if he knows that his sister will be married soon.”

“Half-sister,” she muttered.

“There will be no talk of that. You are siblings, and so you shall refer to each other as such. There is no need for you to keep yourself so separate from him when he has done nothing to you.”

Samantha hated to admit it, but her father was right. Adam had never done anything to her, and it did not matter that he had been handed everything as the heir whilst she and Diana had fought for the very little that they had. He was family to her now, and she could not hate him simply because she hated their father. He had to have a fair chance, just as she was sure Diana would be giving him.

“Very well,” she sighed. “But it will be strange for a while. Surely you understand that.”

“Of course. It shall be an adjustment for all of us, myself more than anyone. If you ever have a son, you shall understand. All must be done for them at any cost.”

---