Page 20 of The Replacement Duchess

“Then why are you marrying him? His reputation is even worse than ours, and so it would only serve to make mine even worse.”

“Scandal fades. Ours only remained because we returned, the same as the Duke’s seems to have. Situations change, and you shall be far better off as the sister of a duchess no matter what path you choose to follow.”

“I cannot argue with that.”

“No, you cannot.” Diana giggled. “I know that I may not always do what makes sense to you, but you are always my priority. If you try and see the things that I do in that way, then you will understand more.”

“And when are you going to do something for yourself?”

“Whenever I am given the opportunity to do so without it affecting you. Who knows? Perhaps I shall be given free rein over the decorations in my new home.”

“You are not amusing,” Samantha said, but she was at least laughing now, albeit quietly.

The Duke called on them, and after a brief greeting, they went on a promenade together, followed by Elizabeth, who seemed to be watching quite intently.

“I do apologize for my family,” Diana sighed. “My sister is still quite wary of you, and my father… Well, he is my father.”

“I do not mind at all. It is no surprise that your sister is unsure of me. Given the circumstances, I would be the same if I were her. I can hope to win her over, eventually.”

“You may well do just that, especially if you engage her in conversation about science. The professor I told you about was completely disinterested in her.”

“But your sister seems intelligent, not to mention well-spoken. Why would he dismiss her?”

“Intelligence means nothing when you are a woman. She will never be taken seriously as an academic, and it infuriates me. I truly did think that she was laughing with them because they were having a discussion, but as it turns out, they were mocking her. I do not understand it. I shall never understand it. It isn’t fair.”

“Perhaps as the sister of a duchess that might change?” he suggested. “If not, I shall be happy to accompany her the next time she wishes to discuss such things with gentlemen. They will not say a word if I am there, I can assure you.”

Diana hated that the first reason she thought that would be the case was due to his current reputation.

“Is that—it cannot be!” a voice nearby whispered.

“A Winston sister out in public? I cannot believe it.”

“Not only that, but look beside her!”

“Is that the Duke of Abaddon? How on earth is he still allowed to be among us?”

“It is terrible that they are not investigating him. Do they not know that he could strike again?”

One look from the Duke seemed to silence them instantly. Diana did not like hearing the whispers, but she certainly did like that he had the power to quieten them. In truth, she did not care what was said of her, so long as she did not have to hear it.

“Does it bother you?” she asked after a while.

“Does what bother me?”

“The talk.”

“Not at all, no. I like to think that if they have nothing better to do with their time, I shall at least provide some form of interest to them. I consider it helping my community.”

“Surely it must become quite grating, though,” she replied, her head tilted to one side. “I know that it becomes hurtful after a while for myself.”

“I noticed. Why do you think I gave them that look?”

“Oh. You did not need to do that for me.”

“I know, but I cannot set a precedent that my wife can be spoken of in such a manner. I do not care what is said of me, but my duchess shall be another matter entirely.”

“I am not your duchess.”

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