The three women exchanged another meaningful glance.
“You know,” Lady Knightley continued, leaning forward slightly, “my husband didn’t have the best reputation either before we married. The whispers, the speculation about his past relationships. But I discovered that the Duke of Valemont has been caring for his cousin for several years now, ever sincethe boy’s parents died. That speaks volumes about his true character.”
“Indeed,” the Duchess of Westmere agreed earnestly. “Men who care for children, who take responsibility for family, possess a very good quality. It shows loyalty and genuine caring beneath whatever facade they present to society.”
“I hear he speaks of you with great respect,” the Duchess of Marchwood added.
Samantha felt her heart flutter at the thought, but the familiar ache of uncertainty crept in. “The trouble is, I don’t know him at all. Not really. We’ve barely had proper conversations beyond the necessary arrangements of marriage. I don’t know his thoughts, his fears, his dreams. I don’t know what he truly wants from this union.”
“Then perhaps,” the Duchess of Marchwood suggested gently, her eyes warm with encouragement, “you could get to know him? Marriage provides ample opportunity for such discoveries, if one is willing to be brave enough to try.”
The simple suggestion sent a flutter of possibility through Samantha’s chest. Could it be that straightforward? Could she simply… try to bridge the gap between them?
“But what if …” she began, then stopped herself.
“What if he doesn’t want to be known?” the Duchess of Westmere asked perceptively.
Samantha nodded, grateful that someone understood her fear.
“Then you’ll have your answer,” Lady Knightley said practically. “But what if he does? What if he’s as uncertain as you are about how to proceed?”
Before Samantha could respond to this startling possibility, a small voice called out across the garden.
“Mama!”
A dark-haired child of perhaps four years came running across the perfectly manicured lawn, his little legs carrying him straight into the Duchess of Marchwood’s waiting arms.
“William, darling, you’re supposed to be with Nurse,” the Duchess laughed, settling the boy on her lap with natural ease.
“I wanted to see you,” he declared, then turned curious dark eyes to Samantha. “Are you the new duchess Mama told us about?”
“I am,” Samantha managed, her throat suddenly tight as she watched the easy affection between mother and child.
The sight of such natural love and contentment made her chest ache with longing.
“Will you have children too?” the boy asked with the brutal honesty that only children possessed. “My governess says all duchesses should have lots of babies.”
The question hit Samantha like a physical blow. The reminder of what she could never have, would never experience, crashed over her with renewed and devastating force. She felt the familiar burning sensation behind her eyes, the tightness in her throat that warned of approaching tears.
“William,” the Duchess of Marchwood said gently, though her eyes sought Samantha’s with sudden understanding, “that’s not a proper question to ask a lady.”
“It’s quite all right,” Samantha said quickly, though her voice sounded strained and artificial to her own ears. “Children are… a wonderful blessing for those fortunate enough to have them.”
The Duchess of Westmere reached over and briefly squeezed Samantha’s hand, a gesture of comfort that nearly undid her completely.
The conversation moved on to lighter topics, with William chattering about his pony and his upcoming birthday, but Samantha found herself barely listening.
The ache in her chest grew with each passing moment, each innocent comment about family and future.
When the child finally ran off into the house, the silence that followed felt heavy with unspoken sympathy.
“My dear,” the Duchess of Marchwood said softly, “forgive me if I’m presuming too much, but if you ever need to talk …”
“Thank you,” Samantha whispered, rising from her chair with as much dignity as she could muster. “You’ve all been more than kind, but I think I should return home now.”
The next morning, Samantha decided she desperately needed air, space, and distance from the overwhelming emotions that seemed to plague her whenever she remained too long within the walls of Valemont Hall. The grand house, beautiful as it was, felt like a prison when her thoughts grew too dark.
So, she decided to visit the village.
