Page 73 of Tempting the Marquess

“Hmmm. You mean where you did all the work and I received all the glory? My sweet girl, should you ever want to partner up like that again, I would be most willing.”

Samantha sighed in relief. “Really? I thought you were shocked beyond all. I know it is a very, ah, unusual skill for a lady tohave.”

“Of course I was shocked. Isn’t every day a beautiful young blonde whips a dagger out of her reticule and hurls it at a criminal’s backside. If you wish to be my personal bodyguard, I will happily let you stay with me all day andnight.”

“Mr. Underwood,” Samantha said severely, biting her lip so she didn’t laugh.

“What? A man can dream, can he not? But you must confess to me right now who first gave you a dagger to play with. Where did you learn to throw?”

“At school.”

His face fell. “What nonsense. If you don’t wish to share, just sayso.”

“It’s true! Well, nearly true. When I was at Miss Chadwick’s, I loathed choir practice, so I used to sneak out and go visiting in the village instead. One of my favorite people there used to belong to a circus troupe. Old Gwen was a harsh teacher—I don’t know how many times I got my knuckles smacked for poor efforts—but she baked the best fruitcake I’d ever tasted. And she always gave me a thick slice to take back to my chamber.”

“My word,” he gasped. “Forget about the knife throwing, pet, I’ve just heard something far worse! Are you trying to tell me youcannotsing?”

“I’m a frog with a cold, Mr. Underwood.”

“Uncle David, remember? But how devastating. I’m deeply saddened. Crushed like an autumn leaf under my boot, and I shan’t recover, ever. To think I actually believed you to be the perfect woman.”

“I’m truly sorry to have disappointed you,” she said, laughing helplessly.

“I should hope so! One can only take so many heartbreaks in a lifetime. You’d better not have any other secrets.”

Her laughter died in her throat. “Well, I, ah—”

“Excuse me, Lady Samantha. I must speak with you urgently,” interrupted a familiar voice behind her, yet in a tone she’d never heard before. Alexander sounded almost...happy.

Curiously she turned and stared up at him, and her jaw dropped. His lips were threatening to smile, and his eyes were practically glowing. “Your grace? What isit?”

“I received a note just before I came here. William has...he’s recovered sufficiently from his wounds to travel home. He will shortly be on aship.”

Forgetting completely who and where she was, Samantha shrieked. “Really? You meanit?”

“Yes. He could be back in just a fewdays.”

Elation surged through her body, making her heart pound and limbs weaken as tears blurred her vision. Finally to be holding William in her arms, breathing in his scent, and hearing his voice. Just like in her dreams. She’d tell him about the baby, and he’d be pleased. Ask her to marry him so they could be a family. And never again would either of them be lonely.

Tears trickled down her cheeks, and a wave of dizziness hit. She staggered, and an arm curled around her waist.

“Samantha? Are you all right?”

Feeling decidedly foggy, she stared up at David Underwood. How odd that while the rest of him was so soft, his arm could be solid and strong. And how had she never noticed what a beautiful blue his eyes were? The hue of a summer sky, just like William’s.

Samantha groaned and pressed her fingers to her aching forehead. Obviously Alexander’s wonderful news had caused her to lose her mind entirely. Only a complete lunatic would see William Hastings’ eyes in David Underwood’s face. “Fine. I just need some freshair.”

“Of course,” he said quickly, cradling her in his right arm, sounding more serious than she’d ever heard him speak. “Let mejust—”

“I’ll see to Lady Samantha,” growled Alexander, and before she could protest, he’d pulled her from the other man’s grasp and tucked her arm through his. “Underwood, if you’d inform the dowager that her niece is unwell and I’ve escorted her out to the east garden steps to take theair?”

For the first time in their acquaintance, David Underwood looked neither jovial, wicked, nor shocked. Just furious. But then he bowed stiffly.

“As you wish, your grace,” he said in a tone as cold as any Alexander had everused.

“Thank you, Uncle David,” Samantha said, reaching out to take his gloved hand. “For everything.”

He squeezed her fingers, his shoulders relaxing. “Feel better soon, pet.”