Page 16 of The Spinster and Her Rakish Duke
“Well, thank you, Lord Stonehall.”
“Please, call me Percy.” He executed an exaggerated bow that made her lips twitch despite her nerves. “We’re family now, after all. And I must say, my uncle has gained a most formidable duchess.”
“I hardly think ‘formidable’ is the impression a new bride should make.”
“Oh, but it is precisely what this family needs.” Percy’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Uncle Ewan has been far toocomfortable in his bachelor ways. A bit of feminine management will do him wonders.”
Samantha glanced across the room where her new husband stood in conversation with Lord Tenwick, his dark head bent attentively toward his friend. The sight sent an unwelcome flutter through her stomach.
“I confess,” Stonehall continued, following her gaze, “I am somewhat disappointed that I shall no longer be able to court Lady Jane properly. She possesses such grace, such gentle beauty. I hope I will be able to find someone as great as she …”
“There is no one quite like my sister,” Samantha said, her voice softening as she spotted Jane arranging flowers near the window.
Stonehall laughed, then he turned to her with a twinkle in his eye and said, “You know, you remind me of His Grace when he speaks of my father. He would say exactly the same thing, that there was no one quite like him in all the world.”
Samantha stared at him, something cold settling in her chest. “Your father?”
“Yes, my father, the late viscount. Uncle Ewan was devoted to him, you know. Always said?—”
“Lord Stonehall!” Lady Langston swept forward with the Dowager Viscountess, Lady Oakley, close behind. “How lovely tosee you again. We were just telling Her Grace how delighted we are for her.”
The young viscount’s face brightened. “Lady Langston, Lady Oakley! How wonderful that you could attend on such short notice.” He bowed again, then glanced at Samantha. “If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ll sample Cook’s excellent seed cake before Lord Tenwick claims it all.”
As Lord Stonehall retreated, Lady Langston grasped Samantha’s hands warmly. “My dear, you must tell us everything. The last we spoke at the club, you said you were but brief acquaintances!”
Right.
Lady Oakley chuckled. “I suppose that is fitting, then,” she said, “That they had abriefcourtship.”
“Oh, uh, yes, the courtship was… rather swift,” Samantha managed, offering what she hoped was a convincing smile.
“Oh, the best ones always are,” Lady Oakley said with a knowing look. “One moment you’re convinced you’ll never marry, and the next you’re utterly besotted. My granddaughter was like that, and now she’s also a duchess.”
“Indeed,” Lady Langston agreed. “Though I must say, His Grace has been watching you most intently all morning. Quite the devoted bridegroom.”
Despite herself, Samantha’s gaze flickered toward her husband. Their eyes met across the room, and she felt heat rise in her cheeks. He regarded her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken, his green eyes unreadable. Then, as if caught in something improper, he turned back to Lord Tenwick.
“Has he mentioned his plans for the season?” Lady Langston asked. “Will you be residing primarily in London or at Valemont?”
“I… we haven’t discussed it at length,” Samantha said, grateful for the distraction. “I imagine we’ll divide our time between both residences.”
“How romantic,” Lady Witherspoon sighed. “A duke’s country estate is always so much more intimate than a London townhouse. Perfect for newlyweds.”
The word ‘intimate’ made Samantha’s stomach clench. She had been trying very hard not to think about what awaited her at Valemont Hall, about the expectations of marriage that she had agreed to fulfill.
“Your Grace,” Her uncle’s voice interrupted her increasingly frantic thoughts. “I believe your husband is ready to depart.”
Samantha turned to see the duke approaching, his expression formal and unreadable.
“Ladies,” he said, bowing to Lady Langston and Lady Oakley. “Thank you for honoring us with your presence.”
“The pleasure was entirely ours, Your Grace,” Lady Langston replied. “We were just telling Her Grace how perfectly suited you appear.”
“Indeed,” the duke said, his tone neutral. “If you’ll excuse us, we should begin our journey while the weather holds.”
The finality in his voice made Samantha’s chest tighten. This was it, then. The moment she would leave everything familiar behind and become truly bound to this man she barely knew.
“Of course,” she said, moving toward Jane, who had been quietly observing from near the window.
