Page 38 of The Replacement Duchess

“My Viscountess and I couldn’t help but notice that the two of you were out together.”

“That tends to happen when two people are courting, does it not?”

“Yes, in any other courtship.”

“Congratulations, Lady Diana,” the Viscountess said with a smirk. “At last, there is a young lady amongst you that knows how to play the game on the marriage mart.”

“I beg your pardon?” Colin asked, but Lady Diana’s grip on his arm tightened.

“It is quite alright, Your Grace,” she whispered.

“No, she was willing to say it, so she can be willing to explain what she meant by it.”

“Well, we all know that the famous love matches are few and far between. All I meant is that it is good to see a young lady that understands what truly matters when finding a match, no matter how she will be seen because of it.”

“And what exactly has she done that would warrant being seen in a certain way?”

“Well, it must have been something. We all know that the better of the two sisters remains unmarried, and so you must have done something to ensure that sister was not you.”

“Aside from being the better match for me, no,” Colin said firmly. “And you shall refrain from speaking that way about a lady, particularly one that is to be a duchess. Am I clear?”

“You will not speak to my wife in such a manner,” the Viscount retorted, but Colin held his hand up, silencing him.

He could not stand a bully, especially not one that was doing such things to Lady Diana. Not her.

“You think that you have it all, don’t you?” The Viscount smirked, turning to Colin. “You think that you have the title and your estates and the funds, but you need to remember one thing. None of it is yours by right.”

“Stop talking.” Colin sneered.

“That is what you want, isn’t it? You want us to be silent, you want all of London to smile and nod and pretend that you did not do what you thought you had to do, but it is not going to happen. We all know, Your Grace. No amount of willing and insisting will change that.”

“And how is it that you inherited your title?” he asked. “Because I hate to inform you I do not know who you are. I have never seen you before in my life, likely because you are so purely inconsequential to us all.”

“I am the firstborn son of a firstborn son. I was born for my role. My son was born for the role.”

“And yet you are unknown.”

“I would rather be unknown than be known for what you did. Your poor father. He must be looking down on you with shame.”

“I have done nothing to be ashamed of. Let me make that perfectly clear to you. Everything that I have ever done is something that I am proud of, be it good or bad, for I can at least say the decision was mine. My father knew that, too.”

“Knew it and then some.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean, and it is important to remember, Your Grace, that I am not some weak older man. I am capable of starting and ending a fight.”

“What kind of gentleman threatens another in front of his wife? I would say in front of his child, but it appears your dear firstborn son is not worthy of coming to these events with you. I wonder why that is. Perhaps it is the quality of his lineage?”

“Do you wish to meet me at dawn?”

“I shall meet you fifty meters away if necessary.” Colin sneered. “Now I shall only tell you once more. I will not hear anything more about Lady Diana. She is a lady, and a good and kind one at that. She will be your duchess, and you will either be a friend or an enemy to her. The choice is yours.”

The Viscount looked at Colin, but Colin was taller and far broader than him. Physically, the Viscount was no match for him if push came to shove, not that he would know the first thing to do if they came to blows, not when Lady Diana was watching.

With a scoff, the pair walked away. Once they were a reasonable distance away, Colin watched as Lady Diana breathed deeply and her shoulders slumped. He did not know what to say to her; they were cruel to her, and she had done nothing in response.She had always been happy to stand up to him, but whenever it was someone else, she seemed to fall apart.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

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