Page 33 of The Replacement Duchess

“Do you not need an heir?”

“Should I everwantan heir, we can discuss the matter.”

Once again, Diana returned to her home, wondering why she trusted him so much. He was changeable and frightening, yet she was not afraid to open up to him and to tell him secrets that she had never dreamed of sharing.

Frankly, she could not wait for the next promenade the following morning.

CHAPTER 9

There was nothing Diana had wanted more than for her sister to find some sort of friendship with the Duke.

It was something that she did not truly see happening, given what Samantha knew (or rather, what she thought she knew) about the Duke, but it was something to hope for, nonetheless.

Fortunately, there was a week of rain, and so for their courtship to continue, it was better that the Duke remained in their drawing room throughout their stay.

The first day, Samantha did not come to the room. She did not come to see the Duke, instead going to the gardens and remaining there until he left. It was strange of her to do so, and she would return with dripping hair and her skirts in a mess, but she refused to go anywhere else.

“Have I done something to her?” the Duke asked. “She seemed quite content to be in my presence on my last visit.”

“I believe she is simply shy.”

“Well, she is to be my sister-in-law one day, so that ought to change eventually.”

“I am quite sure that it will.”

At that moment, her father began speaking to the Duke about some ideas for business opportunities, and Diana no longer cared to listen. She sat and waited for the end of the calling hour and then went to find her sister.

“Where were you?”

“I was here. I did not feel welcome in there. Why do you ask?”

“Why did you not feel welcome? You have spoken with the Duke before and found him pleasant, unless that was not the truth.”

“I do not know. The two of you have been spending quite a lot of time together, and I did not wish to intrude. He is to be your husband, after all, not mine.”

“In any case, the two of you will be family. It is my preference that the two of you find some common ground at least.”

“And that will not be found through me being forced to sit in that room listening to the two of you.”

“Is something wrong, Sister?” Diana asked. “Have I done something to upset you?”

“Not at all. I simply do not wish to intrude. That is all it is, I promise.”

“Very well. In that case, I shall tell you that we do not see you as an intrusion. It is quite the opposite, in fact. He asked after you today.”

“Why? I am of no interest to him.”

“You will be his sister-in-law. Now, I need you to keep this between the two of us, but he does not have any family. You are to be his only sibling. Now, can you please, for me, make an effort?”

Samantha shifted, the rain hitting her face. “I suppose I can try, but if he is at all strange, then I shall return out here.”

“Risking illness, yes. Very well.”

And so the next day, when the Duke arrived, Samantha remained with her. Diana could tell that she did not wish to be there, but that was of little consequence—a promise was a promise.

“So, Your Grace,” Samantha began, stirring her tea. “My sister was telling me about your talents with the pianoforte. It is not a particularly common talent for a gentleman to have.”

“Perhaps not, but it is something that my mother had always loved, and so when she asked if I wished to learn it, I couldn’t refuse.”

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