Page 41 of The Undesirable Duke
Once the carriage came to a stop in front of Welsford House, Samuel stepped down and approached the door. He knocked, and he was met by the family’s butler a few moments later.
“Good morning. I am here to see Lord Timothy.”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
The butler allowed Samuel entry and escorted him to the parlor, where he was to wait for Lord Timothy to be informed of his presence. He paced around the parlor and hoped very much to see Lady Lillian, for he could not call directly on her – not without revealing his interest to all – and he wasn’t sure that he wished to do that....
“Yarmouth, what a pleasant surprise.”
Samuel turned on his heel and smiled as his friend entered the room.
“Colborne,” he nodded. “My sincerest apologies if I am keeping you from something.”
“Nonsense. I was enjoying the peace and quiet this morning. My mother and sister are visiting a friend of my mother’s. The unfortunate woman is rather ill.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
Samuel was disappointed that Lady Lillian was not at home, but considered it to be, perhaps, a good thing since Lady Welsford was not there either. It had seemed as though Lady Welsford was keeping a close eye on Lady Lillian so as not to risk sullying the Colborne name – and that meant that Lady Welsford was unlikely to have allowed him to see Lady Lillian anyway, had she been present.
“Come, sit. Can I offer you a drink?”
“No, thank you. I am fine.”
“Very well,” Lord Timothy nodded as the two gentlemen sat on the chairs beside the fireplace. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
“I wished to speak to you after last night. I felt that the atmosphere was rather tense after your mother took your sister out of the room to speak privately. What was said I cannot know, but it would not be difficult to guess.”
“It was quite a shock for my mother to see you and Lillian engaged in such a spirited dance. And the fact that Lillian was enjoying herself immensely was also what angered my mother,” Lord Timothy stated.
“Does your mother not wish for your sister to enjoy herself?”
Lord Timothy shook his head.
“It was not that she enjoyed herself, Yarmouth, but ratherwhoshe enjoyed herself with.”
“I see. Your mother truly despises me, it seems.”
“Can you blame her? Your name has been sullied to such a degree that no one would speak to you nor even look in your general direction. It was as though you were a leper,” Lord Timothy pointed out.
“It is not a very comforting thing to hear, Colborne, but I do understand where you are coming from,” Samuel sighed. “Is your sister well after your mother confronted her?”
“She was rather quiet at breakfast, which is understandable. She did not speak much, nor did she eat anything substantial.”
Samuel lowered his gaze and was filled with guilt.
“I did not mean to cause her any trouble, believe me.”
“There is no need for that, Yarmouth. My sister knew what was right, and she knew how my mother felt about her being in your presence. She brought it on herself.”
“How can you be so cruel, Colborne? She is your sister. Are you not meant to protect her?” Samuel asked.
Lord Timothy narrowed his eyes at Samuel, staring at him suspiciously.
“Your furtive glances are not necessary,” Samuel pointed out.
“Your concern for my sister grows each time we speak, Yarmouth. Why is that?”
Samuel shifted in his seat and cleared his throat.
