The meal didn't go any better. Four places had been set at the long table. One at the head and one at the foot, then one to the right of the table head and one to the right of the table foot. Etiquette told Samuel he was the honoured male guest so therefore his place was to sit to the right of the table foot where his stepmother would be seated. Usually, the most honoured female guest would be seated to the right of the table's head. Since there was no other female, Samuel knew George would take this place. There was no way he was going to allow this man to think he was better than he was or whisper in his father's ear while they ate. Samuel drew out the seat beside his father.

George cocked his head and put on a mock smile. "I'm sorry, My Lord. Your place is beside the duchess." He held out his palm to indicate the seat.

Lifting his glass of brandy, Samuel looked at George from under his brows. "Yes," he sneered. "I was raised here. Do not forget it. Tonight, I sit beside my father." Samuel could have gone on to say, it had been over a year since they had spoken so they could pass on the etiquette but he would not justify his actions to this man. Sam watched George's face go a ghostly white. He lifted his lip in a distasteful smile, and then, with a flick of his hand added, "You may take your seat beside your sister." He would not address this woman as duchess.

Lord Denyer wasn't a stupid man. He picked up on the tension and though he didn't like Samuel's rude display of authority he was grateful. George Somersby was becoming a problem, but because George was his wife's brother, Haliford had held his tongue. He leaned toward his son and said, "Samuel. When we finish here, I would like to speak to you in private in the drawing room, if you please."

"Certainly, Father. It will be my pleasure."

*

Haliford paced back and forth in front of his son. "Samuel. I know we haven't been close over the years. From what I can see you have grown into a strong, determined young man." The duke clasped his hands behind him and stopped in front of Samuel, who was lounged back in his seat. "I understand your aversion for George. However, he is your stepmother's brother."

"Really, Father. Are you sure about that?" Sam shuffled backwards to sit straighter in the chair. He put his elbows on the rests and brought his hands together.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Haliford jerked his head back in shock at his son's words.

"Though I have only been home for a few hours, it would seem to me that your wife answers to her brother more than to her husband." Samuel sighed and peered up at his father. "What does Fred think of all this?"

"Fred?" Haliford cocked his head. "Frederick has a life of his own and keeps his nose out of mine."

"Father." Samuel stood. "I can see I have upset you." He looked his father straight in the eye. "Somersby is not who he says he is. I am sure of it. What sort of person is he to take your seat at your bureau, or to silently instruct his sister how to behave, and then to have the audacity to question my decision to sit beside my own father, who I haven't spoken to for a year." Samuel shook his head and took a breath. "Father. How did you even meet this woman, and what possessed you to marry her?"

"Samuel! You are stepping way over your bounds, son."

Jerking to his feet, Sam said, "These questions need to be answered, father. If you want me to respect these people, and welcome them into my life, then you have a duty to explain yourself, sir." His tone darkened the more he spoke. "I won't be shoved aside anymore, father. You owe me this. You've never been a man who took an interest in women. You've never even spoken of my mother to me with affection, so answer me. What hold does this woman and her brother have over you?"

Haliford took a deep breath and slumped into a chair. He took a minute before he looked up at his son, who was standing over him. "A year ago, I made a grave mistake. I attended a ball that was connected to the races at Ascot." He hung his head in shame, and then looked back up at his son. "I met the two there. Caroline was just newly widowed, and George had chaperoned her to the ball to try and cheer her up. I had too much to drink. So much so, that my shameful actions are a blur."

"What actions?" Samuel demanded.

Covering his face with his hands, Haliford let out a sob like sound. He took a lungful of air and stood. "You know I am a man who lives a pious life. I have never strayed from the values of our society. Honesty, chastity, thrift, cleanliness and sobriety. Something processed me, Samuel. All my respectability left me, and I forced myself on a grieving widow. I have no idea what seized me to do such a thing. I woke with the lady naked and trembling beside me. Before I knew what was happening her brother stormed into the room and found us." Haliford let out a mournful sound before saying, "There was nothing I could do to redeem myself, so I declared I would marry her."

"Father." Samuel shook his head in doubt. "Did you really do this thing? What do you actually remember?"

"I was dancing with her," Haliford mused, and then added. "I have a vague memory of forcing her onto the bed and ripping her blouse. It was like the devil had shoved me in the back. I remember feeling out of control. I'm sure I was dominated by thoughts that had only ever had fleeting moments in my life. As if they had all surged to the surface to confront me. Then, there I was, laying naked with her beside me." He shook his head in bewilderment. "I could not continue to follow that path, Samuel. I had to restore my respectability." He sighed and gave Samuel a defeated look. "Caroline has forgiven me for my disgusting behaviour, and George accepted my offer to marry her, so that both she and I may live a reverential life."

"Of course, he would, father." Samuel felt his temper rise. "I think you've been a very stupid man." He held up his hand to stop Haliford from protesting. "You may be a smart business man, father, but your life of piety has left you very naive. This people are usurpers. And who the hell is Baron Norrington, her supposed dead husband? Not one person I have spoken to, has ever heard of this man."

"Well, I have, Samuel," Haliford retorted. "He is... ah... was, a Scottish Baron who died of heart seizure, leaving Caroline stricken."

"And what of this Baron's fortune, father? Did he leave his young wife penniless?"

"As it happens. Yes." It was Haliford's turn to hold his hand up and prevent his son from speaking. "His son inherited everything and just tossed her aside. If it wasn't for her brother, she would be living on the streets, and then I came along and made her suffer further. I needed to right the wrong, Samuel, and feel the much better for it."

Samuel scowled, "Brother? You really believe that?" He knew his next words were going to cut his father straight to the core, and felt sure he would never be forgiven. No matter what, they had to be said. "And William?"

"What of him?" Haliford turned his back on Samuel. He knew what was coming and should have known this son of his, who had always gone against the grain, would voice his very own unspoken suspicions.

"Is he your son? Do you truly believe this child could possibly be yours? I never took you for a fool, father. Have you even had relations with your wife, since your slip from virtue?"

Haliford turned. Before he could answer the door burst opened. Caroline smiled sourly as she waltzed across the room. "Oh. I'm sorry for the intrusion. I didn't realise you were still in here. Haliford, dear." She clutched his arm and smiled up at him. "I was wondering when you were coming to bed."

Samuel watched her run her hand up and down on his father's forearm. He so wanted to tell her to get out, but it wasn't his place. "I'll leave you to it, Father." He gave a curt bow and glared at his stepmother. "Good night." As Samuel stepped through the door he nearly bumped into George. His suspicions heightened. This pair were definitely up to something. Sam gave him a stiff nod and headed off to find Anderson.

*

"Yes, My Lord. I have seen him both enter and leave the duchesses' room." He coughed into his fist. "On several occasions, sir. It is also not uncommon for the duchess to go into Mr. Somersby's room." Anderson tilted his head downward in respect. The young lord was onto something. Anderson had heard whispers from the staff. He wondered if he should continue speaking.

"There's more isn't there?" Samuel insisted.

"Sir?"

Samuel raised his eyebrows and gave Anderson a tight-lipped smile. "There's something more that you haven't yet told me." Sam put his hand on the butler's shoulder. "This conversation is confidential. None of what you say shall be repeated. I promise."

"There is talk from the staff, My Lord, along these same lines. Also, this evening when you and the duke were speaking in private it seemed that the duchess and her brother were listening at the door, sir."

"Thank you. Thank you, Anderson." Samuel gave him an appreciative smile. "I can trust in you, that this conversation goes no further than these four walls."

"You can be certain of it, My Lord."

Do you think Samuel is onto something? I has certainly caused some friction between him and his father.

What do you think of George and Caroline?

Many thanks to @danicapcosta for inspiring me to improve this scene between Samuel and Haliford.  

Photo taken from Victoriana.com