Page 51 of Tempting the Marquess

“Samantha is nothing like her parents,” he said coldly. “Nothing atall.”

“Didn’t mean…to imply shewas.”

William took a deep breath. Christ. He had officially turned the corner to Bedlamite. Just because it felt like forever since he’d seen Samantha, and the hateful fact that she still resided with bloody damned Claremont the traitor, wasn’t Robert’s fault or problem. “I know. I’m sorry—”

A knock on the door interrupted them and a young man hurried in. “Begging your pardon, sirs. I bring an urgent message from London.”

Taking the note, William slid a finger under the seal to openit.

S,

Dusk, tonight. The docks.

W

“Sir?Do you want to write a reply?” said theaide.

“No, thank you. Just tell them this is acceptable.”

“Of course, sir,” he replied, and with a quick bow, hurriedaway.

There was a rustle of sheets as Robert tried to sit up. “We’re…we’re moving out then, Standish? Back to England?”

William smiled. The words had been almost indifferent, but the intentness, the sheer longing in Robert’s eyes spoke of something else entirely.

“Indeed,” he said softly, discarding the flippant words he’d been about to use. “Home. Tonight.”

* * *

London

Oh God.The trio of women had her cornered.

Samantha had managed to avoid them for most of the evening, but she’d wildly underestimated the cunning and tenacity of a mother, daughter, and niece when it came to conquering the marriage mart. And it seemed they saw her, with her connections to Aunt Jane and Caroline, along with her undeniable inclusion in the London Lords circle, as their bitter enemy.

“Good evening,” she managed, while her gaze flitted from left to right assessing possible escape routes. Damn and blast. They had chosen the ambush spot well. “Lady Baker-Field. Miss Baker-Field. And MissYale.”

“Why, Lady Samantha Buchanan,” said the rail-thin Lady Baker-Field, staring at her with a venomous gaze. “We didn’t even see you there.”

Samantha tightened her lips. In that they’d been stalking her all evening, that was hardly feasible. And her figure wasn’t one to be easily hidden behind potted plants, either. Why on earth had she agreed to attend this horrid ball? Ah, yes. Distraction from the fact the love of her life had been gone an entire month. “And yet here Iam.”

“So interesting that you were invited,” said the beautiful, dark-haired Miss Yale sourly. “I thought Lord and Lady Knowles only opened their home to a very select list of guests.”

“I’m honored to be here. Isn’t the temperature lovely this evening? And the musicians are so talented. I wonder how long they have been playing together.”

The awkwardly lanky Miss Baker-Field paused as the string quartet finished a rousing march with a flourish, waiting until they began playing a new tune to put her hands on her hips. “Who cares about musicians? They are nothing but hired help. I’m wondering why you get invitations when your parents aren’t received anywhere. The dowager Lady Westleigh cannot have so much influence. So what do you do to force your wayin?”

Samantha’s fists clenched. The impulse to delve into her reticule, pull out her dagger, and give the girl a haircut to remember was almost overwhelming. “My parents are rather busy. So many amusements in the city, and so littletime.”

“Amusements?” said Lady Baker-Field with a tinkling laugh. “I suppose one could call taverns for drinking and unknown bedchambers amusing. So very, very, shameful when those wellborn behave like the lower class. But then again, your father is only the fourth earl. Still many generations to go before the blood is trulyblue.”

“Indeed,” said Samantha. “How fares the Season for your charges, Lady Baker-Field? This is their…hmmm, third year out in society? Or is it their fourth?”

The older woman made a hissing sound, and the elaborate feather arrangement in her hair shook. “Second. And they have both had countless offers.”

“None were good enough,” snapped Miss Yale. “Besides, we have our hearts set on two gentlemen in particular. I will settle for no less than the Duke of Southby.”

“Oh?” said Samantha, stifling a laugh at the thought.