Page 91 of The Unwanted Duchess

“Then perhaps we could host one as a reward for fixing everything.”

“I like the sound of that. So, will you go first, or shall I?”

“I believe your task might be easier. There is more resentment for me, I fear, and so we can consider yours the first step.”

“Wonderful.”

As she said that, however, the butler appeared. He eyed Samantha carefully, but he did not seem as angry about her being there as he had before. He handed Graham a piece of paper and then walked away. Graham opened it to see an invitation.

“What is it?” she asked, trying to peer at it.

“It is from Nicholas,” he replied, not able to tear his eyes away from it. “He is engaged.”

“Oh! Is he engaged to that young lady?”

“The very one that you met, yes. Miss Norton seems to have gotten what she wanted.”

“Then we will attend and wish them the best,” she decided. “You never know, it could be the very first step in mending things.”

“I do not want to see him.”

“We must. We accused him of a terrible thing, a crime of which he was innocent, and still, he has extended an invitation to us. It is only right that we attend.”

She was right, and he knew that, and he also knew that he had to be ready for what lay ahead. They had agreed to try, and he had to keep to his end of that.

“Very well. So long as you are with me, I am sure that I will find a way through it.”

“You speak as though it is a deadly disease rather than an engagement party,” she laughed. “Though I understand how you feel. I cannot say that I would have been thrilled to attend a party in honor of my brother’s arrival, and I do not even dislike him.”

“It is certainly not ideal, but we can do this. It just so happens that I shall have to be first in all of this, and then you can have your turn afterwards.”

“Then all is well. Now, I must confess that I do not own many ball gowns.”

“We can most certainly fix that. I am surprised that it has taken us this long to do so. You ought to complain then I shall know what you need.”

She laughed gently before standing up and rushing around the table to him and wrapping her arms around him.

“You are a wonderful husband. Did you know that?”

“I do my best.”

“Your best is more than I ever could have dreamed of.”

Graham never would have imagined having someone in his life as wonderful as her, but he would not have traded it for the world. He had to thank the Earl, in spite of everything, because he had made Graham Samantha’s husband, and it was the best thing about the Earl as far as Graham was concerned.

He chuckled, considering telling him as much should their paths ever cross again, but he knew that they would not. He would be living his own life with his wife, and there would be nobody happier than the two of them.

He would make sure of that.

EPILOGUE

Being a duchess, Samantha was coming to realize, had its perks.

For the first time in her life, she had a wardrobe filled with gowns, more than she could ever possibly wear, and there were invitations coming from all directions requesting her to attend a ball or a dinner or afternoon tea, and she made a point of attending each one.

The most important, however, had been the invitation to the engagement ball. Not only would her husband be able to see his brothers for the first time in far too long, but she would see Penelope once more. So much had happened since they had last seen each other, and she missed her terribly. Penelope had been her first ally other than Diana, and she needed to see her friend again, especially if she was to be around Miss Norton.

“Are you ready?” Graham asked. “We shall be late if we do not leave soon.”

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