Page 2 of The Spinster and Her Rakish Duke
Samantha’s breath caught as she turned to see the duke himself, Ewan Wildingham, approaching across the lawn, his long strides eating up the distance between them with an efficiency that heralded a predator.
He looked exactly as she remembered from their single dance six years ago: tall, powerfully built, with dark brown hair and penetrating green eyes that seemed to see far too much. His presence commanded attention without effort, making the young viscount’s theatrical display seem even more ridiculous by comparison.
“Uncle Ewan!” Percy exclaimed, his face lighting up with genuine affection. “I was hoping you’d arrive in time to witness my tribute to Lady Jane’s beauty.”
“I witnessed it,” the Duke replied dryly, his gaze flickering between the young Lord Stonehall and the scattered rose petals. “As did half the county, I suspect.”
“Your Grace,” Uncle William bowed his head slightly. “It’s an honor to have you here.” There was a subtle edge in her uncle’s tone, however, she was quite certain the duke heard.
“Please, Lord Norfeld,” Valemont said, his manner severe, “I was on the hunt for my wayward charge.”
Norfeld nodded, then turned. “Are you acquainted with my niece?” he asked, gesturing toward Samantha.
The duke’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she was transported back to that ballroom, to the intoxicating sensation of his hand on her waist and the way the world had seemed to narrow to just the two of them moving together to music long done.
“Lady Samantha,” he said, inclining his head with the correct degree of courtesy.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Of course, she’d suspected he wouldn’t remember their fleeting encounter. His reputation as a connoisseur of women preceded him, after all.
“Your Grace,” she responded with a proper curtsy.
“Lord Stonehall,” Jane said, drawing attention back to the younger man, “that was quite the most unique welcome I’ve ever received. However did you manage to train a pony to perform so beautifully?”
Stonehall’s chest swelled with pride. “Weeks of practice, my lady! I wanted to create something worthy of your grace and beauty. Did you… did you quite like it?”
Samantha couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Like it? My Lord, you nearly caused three elderly ladies to spill their tea in shock. And I suspect the vicar’s wife may never recover from the sight of a peer of the realm astride what appears to be a child’s pony.”
“Samantha,” Jane murmured, tugging at her sleeve with a warning note in her voice.
“Furthermore,” Samantha continued, warming to her theme, “your Latin requires improvement, I am quite sorry to inform you.”
The duke’s eye twitched. “Perhaps you might show some consideration for my nephew’s efforts, Lady Samantha.” He said. “He meant no harm.”
Samantha’s heartbeat skipped.
“Oh, I’m certain he meant no harm,” Samantha replied, her voice sweet with thin consideration. “Just as I’m certain he meant no offense when he chose to turn my uncle’s garden party into a theatrical performance better suited to Vauxhall Gardens.”
“At least he had the courage to make a gesture,” the duke said, his voice dropping to a dangerous degree of quiet. “Rather than standing in judgment of those who dare to act upon their feelings.”
The words ruffled her feathers effectively, and Samantha felt heat rise in her cheeks. “How fortunate for him that he has such a devoted champion in?—”
A tremendous crashing sound interrupted her retort, followed by the Uncle William’s anguished cry of “My roses!”
They turned in unison to see the white pony careening through the carefully tended flower beds, its reins dragging behind it as it trampled prize-winning blooms with enthusiastic abandon.
The servant boy stood frozen, his basket of petals scattered across the lawn.
“Aphrodite!” Stonehall shouted, sprinting toward the rampaging animal. “Come back here at once!”
“You named your pony Aphrodite?” Samantha called after him, unable to suppress a hint of amusement.
“It seemed appropriate for such a romantic endeavor!” he replied breathlessly, lunging unsuccessfully for the trailing reins.
Several footmen rushed to assist, creating a chaotic scene as they attempted to corner the increasingly agitated pony.
Samantha watched the mayhem with exasperation and grudging admiration for the pony’s thoroughness. When she turned backto the duke, it was to find him studying her with an intensity that made her pulse skipagain.
