Page 28 of The Undesirable Duke
Lord Timothy chuckled.
“She seems rather uninterested in the idea of marriage. Why do you ask? Are you interested, Yarmouth?”
Samuel laughed in amusement but felt oddly nervous at the question.
“Of course not. That would mean I would be related to you.”
“Only by marriage, luckily.”
They laughed, then turned their attention to other things, relaxing into convivial conversation.
As the evening drew to a close, Samuel thanked Lord Welsford for his hospitality. Soon after, Lord Timothy saw Samuel out, and, whilst he had hoped that he would have the opportunity to say good night to Lady Lillian, she was nowhere in sight. He also did not wish to ask, as Lord Timothy would tease him relentlessly if he thought Samuel to be truly interested in his sister. He certainly did not need that from his friend.
The two gentlemen stepped outside. Stars sparkled overhead, the winter evening air was cold, and a chill ran down Samuel’s spine.
“Thank you for a very spirited and eventful evening, Colborne.”
“I am glad that you enjoyed it - apart from my mother making a scene, I thought it was rather successful,” Timothy grinned.
“Please apologize to your mother for me if I have offended her in any way.”
Lord Timothy scoffed.
“Do not mind my mother. She concerns herself with things she ought not to.”
Samuel nodded.
“Good night, Colborne.”
“Good night, Yarmouth.”
Samuel climbed into his carriage and watched Lord Timothy return to Welsford House. Right before the carriage pulled away, Samuel turned his gaze upward and noticed an illuminated window on the second floor. Lady Lillian stood by the window, her golden hair tumbling down over her shoulders, and she stared at him for a moment. A moment that seemed to last an impossible length of time, as he was taken by her beauty and the way that she gazed at him. A grin appeared on Samuel’s lips and as the carriage pulled away, his heart pounded in his chest.
Despite not having had the opportunity to bid the lovely young lady a good night, seeing her looking down at him was more than enough for Samuel.
Chapter Ten
Lillian stared at the nearly empty cup of tea on the table before her, her appetite dwindling. Her thoughts remained on last night when she had stood at her window and watched the Duke as he stepped up into his carriage. He had noticed her at her window, and they shared a moment filled with tension and exhilaration. Never in her life had Lillian felt emotions quite as strongly as she did for the Duke of Yarmouth. She was well aware of the rumors about the Duke, but not certain whether she believed them to be true. Timothy had made it clear during dinner that they were mere rumors made up by an unknown person, but her mother seemed convinced that they were true.
“You are awfully quiet this morning, sister.”
Timothy’s words brought Lillian back to the present moment and she shifted her gaze to her brother.
They were seated at the breakfast table, the rain clattering against the windows, and there was a chill in the air. Lillian was certain that it was the aftermath of the terrible evening they had experienced. She had desperately wished to stay at the dinner table, but her mother had not allowed her to. It was frustrating and reminded her that she would never have control of her life.Perhaps marriage was the escape she needed from her mother’s controlling ways.
“Usually, you would be talking non-stop.”
Lillian shrugged her shoulders gently and sighed.
“What did you, Father, and the Duke speak of, after I was so forcefully removed from the dining room?”
Timothy shook his head.
“Our conversation is not for such delicate ears as yours, Lillian.”
“Please, Timothy?”
“I cannot, even if I wanted to.”
