Page 42 of The Undesirable Duke
“Perhaps I shall accept the offer of that drink after all.”
Lord Timothy chuckled and rose to his feet. He poured two glasses of brandy from the decanter and handed one to Samuel as he sat again.
Samuel had much on his mind and quite a few things to further discuss with Lord Timothy. One of those matters was Lord Bertram, but Samuel was not certain how to approach the matter. He did not want to appear too direct, at the risk of seeming too interested in the man. Despite the unsettling feelings he had whenever Lord Bertram’s name was brought up, Samuel had yet to make up his own mind about him.
“In all honesty, why the brooding expression, Yarmouth? I have known you to be a pensive man, but you have brought it to an entirely new level of late,” Lord Timothy uttered, and his voice pulled Samuel back to the present moment.
“I wish to know something.”
“Anything,” Lord Timothy nodded and sipped his drink.
“Lord Bertram.”
Lord Timothy’s jaw clenched, and he averted his gaze.
“Why do you insist on speaking of him? It seems as though his name is the only name I hear. My mother speaks of him constantly, especially the gift which he has given my sister. I am certain that you have noticed the emerald brooch that she has become fond of.”
“I noticed it at Lady Montague’s ball,” Samuel answered wryly. “It is a rather lavish gift. Is your sister betrothed to Lord Bertram?”
Lord Timothy choked on his drink, and his brow furrowed even deeper than before.
“Why on earth would you ask that?”
“Out of sheer curiosity, and… because generally a man only gives such gifts to a woman he is betrothed to.” Samuel stated nonchalantly.
Lord Timothy’s brow furrowed.
“As far as I am aware, nothing is official. But he has called upon her more than once.”
“But they are not courting, are they?”
“Why?” Lord Timothy asked and cocked his head. “Are you interested?”
Samuel hesitated for a moment and looked at Lord Timothy.
“Do not be absurd. Why on earth would I be interested in Lady Lillian?”
“The two of you do get along well. She offered to help you restore your reputation, and you shared a rather lively dance at the ball.”
“That does not mean that I am interested.”
“Others have been interested with less interaction.”
Samuel pursed his lips and hesitated for longer than was needed, further raising Lord Timothy’s suspicions of his interest in Lillian.
“Youareinterested in my sister,” Lord Timothy stifled a laugh, but, when Samuel did not laugh with him, realized that Samuel was serious.
Samuel sipped his brandy and drew in a deep breath.
“I realize that it may be unacceptable to you since we have been friends for so long, but I enjoy her company, and I know that she enjoys mine.”
“Have you asked her that?” Lord Timothy asked.
Samuel shook his head.
“Contrary to what you might think of me, I do not possess the confidence to charm a young lady with flowery words and a dashing smile.”
“But let us be honest, you have a rather dashing smile. What of all those ladies who swooned as they strolled past us in Oxford?”
