Page 48 of Tempting the Marquess

“Oh,” she replied, her shoulders slumping.

“So, you care for Williamthen?”

“I love him. Madly and completely. Not being able to see him, to talk to him or touch him, is the worst feeling in the world.”

Something flickered in the duke’s eyes, but it was gone before she could identify it. Then he sighed. “William fought against his feelings for you, which resulted in some appalling displays of temper at Whitehall. Half the clerks refused to go near him, and your cousin almost called him out. I believe most recently after some musicale.”

Samantha choked on a cough, suddenly finding the edge of the heavy oak desk extremely interesting. Perhaps their behavior at the Hartley’s hadn’t been nearly as discreet as they thought. “Mmmm.”

“No comment, my lady? No left right jab combination?”

Cheeks burning, Samantha gave him the primmest look she possessed. But she couldn’t sustain it, not when his eyes were glinting and he actually forgot himself long enough togrin.

“Not right now,” she mumbled.

Shaking his head, Southby walked over to the bellpull and gave it a firm yank, sending a chime throughout the house. A knock sounded at the door, and Wallace appeared.

“Yes, your grace?”

“Please inform Owens I need hot water, a shave, and a change of clothes; Mrs. Clifton to arrange breakfast; and a carriage to return Lady Samantha home after she has revived herself with some tea and cakes.”

Wallace blinked. Then he bowed low, his hard eyes actually softening. “At once, your grace. If you will come this way, Lady Samantha?”

He escorted her to a small parlor. Soon a tall, slender woman wearing a plain brown calico gown with a crisply starched white apron, and her salt and pepper hair pinned back in a bun, bustled in with a tray of hot tea and cream cakes.

“Morning, my lady, I am Mrs. Clifton, his grace’s housekeeper.” Stepping closer she curtsied low and whispered, “If you’ll pardon me, Mr. Wallace told me what you did and we are very, very grateful. We were so worried about his grace—he has barely left the library indays.”

Then, stepping back, she continued, “Mr. Wallace also said you are a friend of the Langleys, and Lord Westleigh’s cousin?”

That was a shocking statement. A Buchanan, friends with the Langleys? It didn’t even sound right in her head. Not to mention…

Samantha swallowed hard. Damn and blast. If her mother found out she’d been here at this unearthly hour, there would be hell to pay for Southby. And none of it would be of his making. “Yes. Thank you for your trouble, but I really should be going.”

“Do not fret, my lady. A friend is the same as family. We are all concerned about the mission. Very concerned. But Lord Robert’s men are well trained. Lord Standish will return safely to his true love’sarms.”

Heat scorched across Samantha’s face, but thankfully the housekeeper merely curtsied and left theroom.

“Are the cream cakes adequate?

Shaking her head in bemusement, she turned to the duke. Southby looked himself again, his jet-black hair combed, jaw shaven, and perfectly turned out in dark trousers and jacket, an embroidered silver waistcoat, and intricately folded cravat. She could see how so many women found him handsome, but he didn’t make her heart skip a beat or her skin tingle when he had touched her. Sky-blue eyes and brown hair were far more appealing.

“Quite.”

“That’s an odd look. Do I have a spot on myface?”

“No. I can see how some women might find you attractive, but I much prefer William.”

Southby made a strangled sound and she wanted to crawl under the table. Why had she blurted that? Why couldn’t she converse in a normal, or at least partly intelligentway?

“Imean—”

“My vanity may have been dealt a crushing blow, but you are a refreshing change from the intrigues, gossip, and falsehoods I must sift through everyday.”

“I’m very sorry. Again. Sometimes the words come out before I have time to stop them. Imagine me as a criminal,” she joked weakly, “the Runners wouldn’t even need to ask a question and I would be telling them everything.”

“They’ll be relieved to know they can count on you and your rosy cheeks. If you’ll excuse me, I have matters to attend to after my library sojourn. An unmarked carriage is waiting to take you home. And…thank you for coming here. I shall not be so foolish again, knowing there is someone else just as worried as I am about this situation. William is indeed lucky to have your affection.”

With a bow, he walked toward the door, but Samantha hastily pushed her chair back and stood. “Wait, please. If you hear anything from France, you will let meknow?”

Southby stilled and turned. “I will dispatch a footman atonce.”

“Thank you, your grace.”

“You are welcome, but no need for such formality in private. Only a friend would dump brandy on my head and attempt to beat some sense into me. Call me Alexander.”

Smiling briefly at her startled look, he inclined his head again and strode from the parlor.