Page 14 of The Replacement Duchess

“I do not know what you are talking about.”

Samantha stared at her. Diana stared back.

“I know,” Samantha said slowly. “That is why I am telling you about it.”

“I do not care for the affairs of some duke, rather.”

“But it pertains to a murder!”

At this, part of Diana breathed a sigh of relief and another part of her only felt worse. To be sure, it meant that it had nothing to do with her, but it also meant that it was far, far worse than a scandal. This was not some silly little love affair—it was a murder, an actual crime rather than a social one.

“Alright,” she sighed, “go ahead.”

“I knew you would be interested! Alright, so there is a duke who was present at the ball last night, and he was shunned by thetonupon his entry. You would think that is weird, given his position and all, but then I overheard a discussion about him. He is new in town, and he has immediately been the talk of theton. I mean, anyone would be if they were a murderer.”

“To be sure.”

“And the more I heard about him, the more it infuriated me. I mean, I was already angered by the encounter I had had with that horrid gentleman, but the way they all spoke of this duke as if he was guilty, even though he has of course not even been triedfor it, was awful. It is as though they have judged him without knowing him, and you and I know precisely how that feels.”

“But you are talking about it even now.”

“Well, yes, because you are my sister, and it is not as though you have anyone to tell. Besides, you seem out of sorts, and I will do anything to fix that.”

“You are incredibly sweet, Samantha, but I assure you that there is no need for that. I shall be fine by tomorrow morning.”

Because, by then, she would know whether or not they had been seen, and whether or not she had ruined her sister.

“Well, I for one think it is all ridiculous. Thetonwill believe anything, and as for what interests them… that can only be described as anything as well. It makes me almost happy to have never been a part of it.”

“I have to agree. You and I are most fortunate in that respect, even if others might not see it that way.”

“Yes, we at least get to be seen as people!”

“Good morning, ladies.”

The two of them turned to see their father in the doorway, ready for breakfast for the first time in as long as they could remember, which was only a sign that it had never happened.

“What are you doing here, Father?” Samantha asked.

“What does it look like? I am having breakfast with my girls.”

He was happier than Diana had ever seen him. In any other family, this would have been a good thing, but when it came to her father, it was anything but good that something had brought him joy.

“How did the two of you find the evening?” he asked, taking a piece of fruit. “I know that we do not tend to go to events, so I suppose it was quite the novelty.”

“It was wonderful, Father,” Samantha replied dutifully. “Actually, I was hoping to attend another in the near future. Diana agrees that it is a good idea, do you not, Sister?”

Diana did not. She certainly did not want to attend another high society event again for a long time, if ever. One had been quite enough, and she was all too happy to tell her sister that but not her father. He only required one of his daughters to be against it for his resolve to strengthen and buttress his opinion that they needn’t go anywhere or do anything.

“Yes, Father.” She nodded, her smile forced. “It would be wonderful in terms of the opportunities that it could offerSamantha, too. I would be happy to accompany her myself, should you ever not wish to go. Given my situation, it only makes sense.”

“Oh, but there will be no need for any other events,” the Earl said brightly, and both girls stared at him.

Diana’s blood ran cold. Of all the people who could have seen her with the Duke and would now pressure her to marry, could it have been her own father? How would she convince him that she would remain a spinster and that she would be a better carer for him than Samantha would?

“What do you mean?” Samantha asked, which Diana was grateful for because she was quite sure that she could not speak.

“You are engaged, Samantha.”

---