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At that moment the bedroom door opened slowly and Drake stepped out into the hall. He stared vacantly at Alex and Smitty, his emerald eyes damp.
“He is gone,” he said simply.
Smitty went to his side. “Come,” he murmured. “Let me get you a drink.”
Drake nodded. “Yes. Let’s go down to the library, Smitty. There are many things that need attending. And I must speak with Samantha and Sebastian as well.” He stopped, meeting Alex’s gaze.
“I’m very sorry about your father, Drake.” The words were sincere, the tone forced and distant. “If yo
u will show me which room is to be mine I will be out of your way.”
Drake rubbed his eyes, feeling very weary and utterly alone. “Your bedchamber is at the end of the hall, opposite mine.” He looked back toward the stairs at the sound of voices coming from the front hall, then turned to Alex. “Before you retire, would you mind very much meeting my sister? Under the circumstances, it would mean a great deal to her.”
Alex nodded. “Of course.”
As they reached the foot of the stairs, Humphreys was speaking with a lovely young girl with flowing sable hair and a haunted expression.
“Is there any change, Humphreys?” she was asking.
“I don’t know, Lady Samantha. But your brother …”
She brushed tears from her pale cheeks. “My brother doesn’t care whether Papa lives or dies, Humphreys. But once he is gone”—her lips quivered, again—”I will have no one.”
“That is what I am trying to tell you, my lady,” Humphreys murmured. “When I said ‘your brother,’ I meant—”
“Hello, Sammy.” Drake’s deep baritone was filled with gentle emotion.
Samantha started. Only one person ever called her Sammy. He had given her the nickname when she was little more than a tot and was determined to be a boy rather than a girl.
She turned slowly, staring at the bearded man whose eyes lit with pleasure at the sight of her. “Drake?” Unlike the others, she had ho trouble recognizing her beloved brother, beard and all. “Drake!”
The last was a shriek as she raced across the marble hall and flung herself into his arms. Drake caught her to him, smiling at her usual unruly behavior.
“What am I going to do with you, little one?” He rumpled her silky hair tenderly. “I thought I would return to find you a lady.”
Samantha gazed up at him, adoration in her soft green eyes. “You’re alive.”
“I told you I would always come back, no matter how long I was away. Of course I’m alive.”
She began to ask another question, then read the sadness in Drake’s eyes. She stopped. “Papa … ?” she asked.
Drake cupped her face between his big hands. “I need you to be strong for me, Sammy.”
Tears slid down her cheeks into her trembling mouth, but she nodded. “I knew,” she whispered. “I just knew. He has been so ill these past weeks.”
Drake pressed her head against his chest and closed his eyes, holding her against him as she cried. He stroked her hair softly, soothing her until her sobs lessened and finally stopped.
Suddenly aware that they were not alone, Samantha stepped out of his comforting embrace and looked toward the steps.
“Smitty …” She smiled through her tears.
“Hello, Lady Samantha.” His address, though formal, was uttered in the fondest of tones.
Samantha wiped her tear-streaked face with her hands. “Thank God you’re both alive. When we received that message …” Her voice trailed off as she got her first look at the extraordinarily beautiful woman who stood beside Smitty, quietly watching the scene before her.
Drake caught Samantha’s curious look and turned to gesture Alex forward. “Sammy, there’s someone I’d like you to meet, someone very special to me.”
Samantha raised her dark brows in surprise, her wet green eyes bright with curiosity.
