One Year Later.

Samuel

The hall was crowded with boys pushing and shoving each other, some laughing, others shaking hands or climbing over seats to find a place. They were gathered to farewell the seniors. Boys who were now considered men.

Samuel couldn't help but feel a little sad. He had spent almost half his life within the walls of Eton. At eighteen they were men, expected to make their way in the world. Samuel had no idea where the future would take him. He sat with his legs out in front of him, ankles crossed and his arms wrapped tight around his chest with his head hung.

Edmond climbed over him and flopped in the vacant seat. "Well. This is it."

Sam nodded but kept his head low.

Ed gave him a shove. "Sammy I'm having a déjà vu moment here."

"What?" Samuel lifted his head with a half grin, half confused look on his face.

"This time last year. You sitting glumly in your chair and me asking you what was wrong." Edmond shook his head and laughed. "I'm sorry. I'm not asking you home for the holidays this year. First, because I'm off to India on one of father's ships, and second, Cousin Maree won't be there. She's getting married again."

"Maree?" Samuel gave Edmond a puzzled look.

"Stop playing dumb with me." Ed punched Sam on the shoulder this time. "Do you think I'm so stupid that I didn't know what was going on each night?"

Sam held a straight face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Have it your way." Edmond laughed. "So, what are your plans?"

"To be honest I have no idea." Sam drew up his legs and sat straighter in his chair. "Maybe I'll ask your father for a job. What do you think? Would I make a good sailor?"

"Ah... no." Ed shook his head and chortled. "Your hands are too soft for a start."

"And yours aren't?"

"Well..." Edmond laughed some more. "I don't masturbate as much as you do. I was taught it was a pass time of the devil's and would send me to hell." Ed cocked his head and raised his eyebrows. "You, my friend, are a lost cause."

Sam roared with laughter. "So, is Maree's new husband old?"

"No, Samuel." Edmond chuckled and elbowed his friend. "She does not need your services."

*

As the carriage pulled up in front of the Denbury Hall, Samuel's family home, he wondered how he would be received. The last he had heard his stepmother was with child. The coachman opened the door. Samuel climbed out and looked up at the mansion. It had always astounded him how a family of three, four if he included his dead mother, needed a house this big to live in.

His great-grandfather had obviously thought it was a grand idea when he had built it. His Grace, Louis Denyer had gifted the house to his new bride, The Lady Agatha Bury, on their wedding day. They had filled the rooms with ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Samuel's grandfather had only managed three sons. Haliford, Leopold and Rupert. The now duke, Haliford Denyer, Samuel's father, had reduced that number to two. Samuel wondered if it was true that his new wife was expecting a child. He was shocked to have heard this news. His father had never seemed interested in women.

The front door opened. Anderson the butler, followed by two footmen, met him at the bottom of the stairs.

"Lord Denyer." Anderson tilted his head. "Welcome home. Your father is waiting in the drawing room."

"Thank you, Anderson."  Samuel took hold of the butler's hand.  Anderson was taken aback.  A member of the ton, shaking his hand?

"You are most welcome, sir." Anderson couldn't help but smile. It had been just over a year since the young earl had been home. He had always been different to his brother and father. It would be a nice change to have him around. Especially with the new members of the family behaving like they owned the place. He hoped the earl's presence might right things. "I shall have your bags taken to your room, sir."

Samuel grinned and patted Anderson on the shoulder. "As you will, Anderson. Thank you." He leaned in close and winked. "Is there a welcoming party waiting for me or just my father?"

"A welcoming party, sir." Anderson was finding it very hard to supress his smile. "Your stepmother, her brother, Mr. Somersby, and your new brother."

"Brother?" Samuel raised his eyebrows. "So, it's true. She was with child."

"Yes, sir."

"Hmm. I see." Samuel took a step forward, and then stepped back. "Anderson," he whispered. "What's her name?"

"Sir?" Anderson gave him a puzzled look.

"My stepmother. For the life of me I can't remember her name or that of her brother." Samuel shrugged. "Too much study has turned my brain to mush."

Anderson cleared his throat to stop himself from laughing. "The lady's name is Caroline and her brother is George."

Sam nodded. "Thank you, Anderson." He went to walk away once more but again stepped back. "And the child. My... ah... brother. Does he have a name?"

"Yes, sir. William."

"Right." Samuel sucked in a breath. "I better not keep them waiting."

*

The duke, Samuel's father was seated on a wingback chair. His wife was on the sofa holding the infant. George was sitting at his father's bureau as if he was Lord of the manor and all were his guests. Samuel didn't like it.

"Ah..." George stood and rounded the desk. "The earl has arrived." He strode across the room and gripped Samuel's hand a lot harder than was necessary. Instant dislike consumed Samuel. Who the hell did this man think he was? He had blocked the duke as he had stood. Even though Anderson had told him what this man's name was, Samuel was not going to honour him by using it.

"And you are?" Samuel stared coldly into blue eyes, tightened his grip and using his height advantage, jerked George forward a fraction.

"Samuel." The duke patted his son on the shoulder. "This is George. My beautiful wife's brother."

"Father." Sam let go of George's hand and tilted his head at his parent. "And your wife. What is her name?"

Haliford Denyer furrowed his brow, and then his face lit up. "I thought you had previously met." Lord Denyer beckoned with his hand. "Caroline. Come and meet your stepson."

Samuel knew full well that he had met these people. He knew also that they remembered. He had taken a chance that his father would not. It had worked. These people did not belong in his home and he was not going to make it easy for them. Sam took her hand and bowed over it while she curtsied still holding her child.

"Samuel," she said.

He looked at her face. As plain as he remembered. She flicked her eyes from his to her brothers. Samuel wondered what the exchange was about.

"This is William. Your new brother."

"I have a brother. Interesting." Samuel focused on the baby. He had a mass of red hair and blue eyes. Caroline had mousy brown hair with dull tan eyes. Sam glanced at George. Red hair. Blue eyes. Though the child's hair colouring could be possible from his father and Caroline's match something told Samuel it was very unlikely. Haliford Denyer had black eyes and dark hair. Frederick and Samuel had inherited his colouring. "A red head." Samuel tweaked his eyebrow and pinned Caroline with his stare.

"Y... yes... he..." Before she could finish speaking George cut her off.

"Red hair is very strong in our line. Caroline did not inherit it. Lucky her," he said with a chuckle. "The boy hasn't managed to miss the family trait."

"No. He hasn't," Sam said curtly. "If you will please excuse me. I would like to freshen up after my journey." He nodded his head then took his father by the hand and shook. "Father. I will see you at dinner."

Ton – Samuel took hold of the butler's hand. Anderson was taken aback. A member of the ton shaking his hand?

Ton means 'fashionable society,' particularly high-class society during the Regency era. The word comes from le bon ton, a French phrase meaning "good or elegant form or style." Members of the ton were generally upper class, wealthy, and respected. Because of class distinctions in this era, servants were usually never acknowledged as Samuel has done in this scene with Anderson.

Picture is of Eton College in the 19th century.  Copyright Alamy.