Page 102 of The Replacement Duchess

“I shall send someone to fetch the other,” Colin explained to them. “We shall stay at the house for a short while so that I canget some affairs in order, and then we shall go. Is that alright with the two of you?”

“Of course.” Samantha nodded.

“You can stay with us a while longer, if you wish,” Diana suggested. “You need not leave immediately.”

“It is quite alright, Di,” Samantha promised. “I know that you worry for me, but it is perfectly fine. Besides, it would seem that your husband wishes to have some time with you, just the two of you.”

“That can wait. I have missed you.”

“Well, you shall simply have to learn not to.” Samantha laughed. “I am supposed to depend on you, not the other way around. I will be here if you need me, but you are married now. You have a family to care for, and that must be your priority now.”

“But I?—”

“You need not do everything for me now,” she continued. “I know that all of this time, it has been your duty to take care of me, but I am not a child anymore. I can handle myself now without the need to have any outbursts, having seen the outcome. I will be perfectly fine. Now, you must learn to live without me here all the time as I must do with you.”

Diana sighed. All of her life, it had been her and Samantha. Their aunt had been a part of that for a good while, of course, but other than that, it had been the two of them and nobody else, and it had become a habit. Diana knew that Samantha would be fine without her; she was intelligent and beautiful and sociable, but she didn’t know how well she would do without Samantha, without someone to put all of her energy into.

Then again, she would have a husband to take care of, and he seemed all too happy for her to do so. It would be an adjustment, but she could do it. She would have to, of course, as it was not as though she had any other choice, but at least it would not be awful.

Colin disappeared into Abaddon Manor as soon as they arrived, whisking Miss Thornton away.

“What do you suppose they are talking about?” Samantha asked as they made their way inside.

“Most likely what transpired yesterday, and that we shall need new footmen to make up for the two that we have lost. I suppose he will also want a word with the others, to ensure there are no others who will attempt that sort of thing again.”

“It was truly frightening, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, but it is over now. We are safe, and that is what matters.”

“Of course. I simply hope that there are some good footmen left here, else the Duke shall have to take me home, and he has already done quite enough.”

Fortunately, after a lengthy discussion with the remaining footmen, Colin seemed to trust that there were only two conspiring against them, and so they could soon continue their journey.

It took a while, but soon enough, they returned home.

“Before we go inside,” Samantha said quickly, “I ought to confess something to you both.”

“What is it?” Colin asked.

“More to the point,” Diana interjected, “why did you not tell us sooner?”

“I may or may not have neglected to tell Father I was leaving,” Samantha admitted, laughing nervously. “And I did not tell you because I had forgotten until around five minutes ago.”

“That is fine.” Colin nodded. “At least we know now. Are you ready to do battle?”

“I couldn’t be more prepared, if that is what you mean, even if I do not feel ready at all.”

“It will not be awful, not for long at least,” he promised, and then the three of them were on their way to the front door.

It swung open before they even knocked. There stood the Earl, his face an ugly shade of red, and Samantha took a step back.

“Where have you been?” he thundered. “You know perfectly well that my heir is to arrive soon, and he is expecting to see you. Could you imagine if he arrived during your absence? How, pray tell, was I supposed to explain that? I cannot simply tell him that you are an imbecile that does not know any better, can I? You had better have a good explanation, and you had better tell me it right this instant.”

“And you had better refrain from speaking to her in that manner,” Colin said calmly. “You are right, you cannot say that she is an imbecile because you know it to be untrue. Now, we can do this here and now, or we can discuss it like gentlemen inside. The choice is yours, but I think it might be best if you do not speak in such a manner when you might be overheard. It would be unwise for you to tarnish your reputation further, would it not?”

The Earl’s face seemed to fall immediately, and he stepped to one side and allowed the three of them to enter.

“I do not know what makes you think you have the right to come to my home and speak to me in such a manner,” he grumbled. “But it will not be tolerated.”

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