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“Because we all say things in a way that misconstrues our feelings from time to time. That does not warrant anger.”

Diana thought back to all of the times she had said something wrong by mistake, and her father had screamed at her. He had always been kinder to Samantha, but they had had their moments too. Anger was all she had truly known as a girl, and the prospect of a life without it was quite tempting indeed, even if it was to be with a man that she did not know.

“And you are quite sure that you are not angry with me?”

“For heaven’s sake, no.”

“There is no need to speak to me in that manner.”

“It appears that there is, as it is the only way to make you listen.”

She bristled. That was not unlike something she had heard a hundred times from her father.

“I apologize.”

“It is alright,” he sighed. “But when I tell you something, I expect you to believe me.”

“Why? I hardly know you at all.”

“Because I am giving you the same grace. Is it truly too much to ask?”

“I… I suppose not.”

“Right. Now, do you have any other questions for me?” he asked. “Because if we are truly to be husband and wife, I would like you to be well prepared for it. There is so much I would like to know about you, but I believe that all good things come with time, and so I am happy to wait.”

“I agree with you. I think that should we be spending the rest of our lives together, then I shall have the rest of our lives to ask you questions. There is no reason to try and do it as quickly as possible.”

The Duke accepted her answer, and they continued in silence. Diana couldn’t help but think that Samantha would have liked the Duke a great deal had she given him a chance, but she had not, and now she seemed unwilling to accept him even as her brother-in-law.

And yet she had to scold herself. Here he was, being the perfect gentleman, being respectful and kind and sharing her jokes, and there she was, struggling not to ask him the one question that she truly did wish to ask him. She wondered if he would hate her for asking, or if he would laugh it off, or even if he would answer her seriously. After all, it was the sort of question that only truly had one answer if one were to be asked it.

There were other questions that she wished to ask, of course. What were your parents like? Will our home be large? How many children do you wish to have? Are we even going to have children?

But there was that one again, on the tip of her tongue, and she willed herself not to say it. He had been kind about her saying something in error once, but he did not have to give her the same grace a second time.

Did you do it?

CHAPTER 6

The frightened sister that Diana had left behind seemed in much higher spirits upon her return. Samantha was sitting at the pianoforte, playing a happy little tune—expertly, of course. Diana struggled to remember a time when her sister did not play it perfectly.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” she asked brightly as she heard her enter. “It seems to have been quite a lovely day today.”

“It was lovely indeed.” Diana nodded, though her brow furrowed as she approached. “Where did you find that gown?”

“Oh, isn’t it wonderful?” Samantha asked, standing and twirling. “Father says that given our good fortunes—your good fortunes, I should say—it was time to have some new clothes fashioned for us. He took the gowns we wore at the ball and instructed the modiste to make us twenty each.”

“Twenty?” Diana echoed. “How did she make them so quickly?”

“We do not have twenty each yet.” Samantha giggled. “But she did happen to have two on hand that were quite close to the ones he gave her, and she modified them to make them our size. I shall be wearing this at the ball on Saturday, of course, but I couldn’t resist trying it on! We have not had new clothes in so long.”

That was why she was in higher spirits. At least that was one mystery solved.

“Samantha, you have never cared for such things. What has gotten into you?”

“It is not the clothes, Sister, it is the meaning behind them. Father is right, our fortunes are changing for the better, and it is all thanks to you. It is as you said, perhaps I judged the Duke too soon and I ought to give him a chance. If you believe his intentions are good, then I will believe in you.”

“Oh, Samantha, it is good to see you happy.”