Warwick nodded to the eldest Deville brother, Gabriel, Earl of Raine. He was with his beautiful raven-haired wife Dimity and the elderly duchess. An old tartar who terrified society and Warwick secretly admired because she didn’t care what anyone thought of her.
“Hello, which ones are you two?” Dimity asked the girls.
“This is Dev’s daughter Meredith, and this is James’s youngest child, Katherine,” Warwick said.
“Hello, my lady.” Gabe nodded to Samantha.
“Duchess, Lord and Lady Raine.” Samantha smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“I just saw Nathan, and he said your reprobate youngest brother is still sleeping off last night’s effects?” Warwick asked.
“I fear he will never grow up.” Lord Raine sighed.
“He certainly enjoys life.”
“And I know you were with him, Warwick. How is it you’re in one piece?”
“I don’t overindulge, my lord.”
Raine shook his head. “Zach is a lost cause, I fear.”
“Everyone comes about, my lord,” Samantha surprised him by saying. “With the right provocation.”
“Why are you driving those beautiful children and Lady Samantha about with you?” the duchess demanded.
“Equally as beautiful.” Dimity smiled.
“It is Kat’s birthday, and she requested a drive in the park,” Warwick added.
“How lovely that you indulged her,” Dimity said.
“Spoiling children does not make for a good adult.” The duchess sniffed.
“Is that what happened to you?” Dimity added.
“Where is your maid, gal?” The duchess ignored Dimity and focused on Samantha.
“Warwick and Samantha have been raised together. Besides, they have two children with them. There is no better companion to my mind,” Gabe said.
“She should still have a maid.”
“Must go,” Gabe said, rolling his eyes. “Good day.”
“We will stop and walk about for a bit. It will do these brats good to run off some of their energy,” Warwick said minutes later. “If you can hold the horses, please, Archie.”
He reached for Samantha as she prepared to get down herself.
“Take my hand at least.”
She did but clearly hadn’t wanted to. They’d always annoyed each other but had never been uneasy. She was now that and more and it saddened him.
The girls joined hands and skipped in front of them.
“Why do you believe everyone comes about?” Warwick asked, falling in beside her. Looking down, he saw the soft sweep of her lashes and tip of her nose. She was beautiful from the top of her blond head to the soles of her small feet. Beautiful and disturbing to him, and he wasn’t sure how to handle the change inside him, so he treated her as he always had.
“Samantha?” he said when she remained silent.
“If people get the opportunity and support to come about, they often do. Look at the members of our family.”
