Page 29 of The Undesirable Duke
“That is not fair,” she muttered.
“Do not fret. There is nothing to worry about.”
Lillian shook her head.
“I am not worried. I am curious.”
“Curious about what?”
“Did the Duke do those things that were printed about him in the newspaper?” she asked.
“Of course he did not.”
Lillian’s brow furrowed and she rested her hands on her lap.
“How can you be certain?”
“Lillian, I have known him for a long time, and he is not the type of man who would do such things. He is a good man and a good friend. He would not lie to me.”
“Everyone tells lies.”
“And you have experience in this?” Timothy asked.
“You lied to Mother by not telling her that you had invited the Duke.”
“I did not lie. I merely answered vaguely.”
“A lie of omission is still a lie, Timothy,” Lillian pointed out. “You were fully aware of Mother’s probable reaction if she found out that you had invited the Duke to spend Christmas with us.”
“I apologize. Is that what you wish me to say?”
Lillian sipped her tea and set her cup down on the table.
“I wish you to tell me the truth.”
“I will not disclose what we spoke of at dinner, sister.”
Lillian shook her head and cleared her throat.
“That is not what I mean. I wish for the truth. Did the Duke do all of those things?”
Timothy turned to Lillian and looked directly at her.
“I swear to you, Lillian. Yarmouth did not do those things. And how could he? He has been in Cornwall for two years. He has not even set foot in London in that time.”
“And you are certain of this?”
“He and I have been corresponding since he returned to Cornwall. Each week I would receive a letter from him and write one in return. There is no possible way that he was anywhere close to London.”
“He did not gamble himself into financial ruin?”
“He did not.”
“And he did not visit undesirable haunts?”
“Not at all. The Duke is a man of integrity and morals. He may visit Brooks with me, but his only vice is his tenacity,” Timothy answered.
“Why is he in London, apart from joining us for Christmas?” Lillian asked.
