“I know you saved him, Dorrie.”
“How?” She didn’t attempt to deny it.
“I heard your words in the stables the day I raced. The day those men confronted us.”
Their eyes held, then she looked away. “It doesn’t matter. It means nothing; he will leave soon.”
“But you care for him,” her brother persisted.
“I don’t want to talk about it, Warwick. Please.”
“Very well, but I’m always here for you if you need me.”
“I know, as I am for you.”
And that, she knew, would be the end of that discussion. Unlike Dev, Warwick would not want to gnaw it to death.
The carriage door opened seconds later, and it was a relief for Dorrie when in climbed Samantha. She wore pale mint green and had a deep green velvet spencer over the top. Her bonnet matched. Always immaculate, she never appeared overly flustered, but was always happy.
“Hello.” She leaned in to kiss Dorrie, then nodded to Warwick before sitting.
“We can hire someone, you know,” Warwick said.
“For what?” Dorrie asked.
“To greet people and do paperwork. The daughter of a duke has no need to work.”
Samantha’s lips tightened as the carriage rolled toward Gus and Somer’s house. “I enjoy it, and besides, I am going away soon, so you will need to find someone else.”
“What?” Dorrie and Warwick said together.
“You know I like to paint.”
“And have become quite proficient at it,” Dorrie added.
In fact, over the last few years what had been a hobby had turned into something quite wonderful. Samantha’s paintings were now hanging in houses up and down this street. Yes, they were all family, but there was no doubting her skill.
“I spoke with James, and he is allowing me to go to Ireland and spend time with Mr. Eamon Doyle. I will stay in the accommodations he has for his students and spend my days painting.” Her smile was bright.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t leave,” Warwick snapped.
“You have no say in this,” Samantha snapped back.
She was generally a gentle soul… unless faced with Warwick. No one could annoy her quite like the youngest Sinclair.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, even though I shall miss you dreadfully,” Dorrie said.
“You can’t honestly agree with this?” Warwick scowled at Dorrie. “She’s innocent, unmarried, and cannot go gadding off to the wilds of Ireland.”
“I am not gadding anywhere. James has organized it. I am to stay with two other ladies, and I will take my maid with me. The house is run by Mr. Doyle’s wife and sister and has the highest reputation.”
“And you’re just telling us now!”
The carriage door opened, and Somer appeared. Behind her was Gus. “Why are you yelling, Warwick?” she said, climbing in.
“Tell her,” he said. “She will agree it is a foolish thing for you to be doing.”
Somer sat beside Warwick, and Gus squeezed in beside her.
