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CHAPTER 1

“Of course, I am happy for you. Who wouldn’t be?”

That had been the last thing that Samantha had said to her sister before leaving her home — a manor house that her sister shared with her husband, who just so happened to be a fabulously wealthy duke. Not only that, but he was a good and kind man and everything that a lady could possibly want.

Yet Samantha had rejected him, and her father had never forgiven her for that no matter how well things had ended for everyone involved but herself. She had not lied to her sister, either, for shewastruly happy for her, but Samantha had to admit that she was quite miserable for herself, resigned to her fate as the hated daughter. It was simply a shame that the hated daughter had also received an invitation to a party thus had to spend hours in a carriage with her father.

“You will not be a disappointment to me. I hope you are aware of that.”

“Yes, Father,” she replied absentmindedly, watching through the window.

He had been saying it more and more of late, and she did not know why at first. She had always been perfect, thanks to Diana, save for a thirst for knowledge that he found quite unladylike. Then she remembered that she had tried to run away then spent time with her aunt and her sister rather than being in a woman’s place, her home.

Perhaps her father had his reasons after all, even for —

“Are you listening to me?”

“Of course, I am,” she said quickly, hoping that he did not follow with another question.

“Samantha, this is of utmost importance. After that little stunt you pulled, we are simply fortunate that nobody heard news of it, and we could salvage your reputation.”

The reputation he had ruined throughout her life, she thought, but she did not say as much.

“I do not understand why I have to be here, that is all,” she sighed. “I hardly know Lord Drowshire. He isyourfriend.”

“He is as much your friend as he is mine. We are business partners, nothing more. Lord Drowshire simply enjoys the spectacle of parties, and it is an honor for the two of us to bewelcomed into his home. So, I shall repeat myself. You will not embarrass me; is that clear?”

“Of course, Father.”

After all, it was not typicallySamanthathat would cause a scene and ruin her family name.

At last, they arrived at the Drowshire estate. It was far more impressive than her own home, almost as grand as her sister’s. Almost. In front of it, there stood Lord Drowshire, welcoming his guests into his home. Samantha had always hated that her father made them late to events, but on this occasion, she almost wished it had been the case.

He was not an ugly gentleman, quite the opposite in fact, but Samantha knew that her father was quite intent on marrying her off at the first opportunity, and so if she dared speak more than four words to the man, then she might see a marriage contract drawn up and signed in her name by nightfall. That was the last thing she needed.

She looked to Lord Drowshire’s side and noted that his butler seemed quite strange. He was far too commanding to be a servant, that much was sure. Tall, muscular, dark hair that was in all honesty a little too long to be seen as proper and the brightest blue eyes. She could see those eyes from the pathway to the front door, and they only became brighter as they approached.

“Lord Colton!” Lord Drowshire greeted, “And Lady Samantha, it is such a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is ours, Lord Drowshire.”

Oliver Ipson, the Earl of Drowshire, was a good man, and a well-liked one. He was quite the opposite of Samantha’s father, and in spite of Lord Colton’s reasoning, she never could quite fathom the two of them having any real friendship between them.

“It certainly is,” the butler muttered.

“I beg your pardon?” Lord Colton asked.

“The pleasure is certainly yours,” he nodded. “It is quite kind of my dear friend to open his home to people such as yourselves.”

Samantha took a step backwards. She was spoken to in such a manner in London often but never outside of it and never by aservantof all things.

“Graham, please,” Lord Drowshire began, but the man raised a hand to him, silencing him.

“I shall skip the formalities. Lord Colton and Lady Samantha Winston, is it? Allow me to be the first to say that nobody wants you here.”

“I cannot say that I have a particular desire to be here either,” Samantha whispered.

“I cannot for the life of me understand,” he continued, “why my friend extended an invitation to the two of you. Then again, I suppose that everyone deserves a turn at least once. Perhaps he simply wishes to gain more witty anecdotes for future dinners. Whatever the reasoning, you should know that I do not care for your presence, and I think it is terrible ofyou, Lord Colton, to drag your daughter here in a clear attempt to pawn her off to the first gentleman that so much as looks in her direction.”