Page 48 of The Undesirable Duke
“We do believe that it can only be the same man who wrote the rumors of you, ruining your reputation,” Lord Timothy answered.
“I cannot believe that he has the audacity to drag Lady Lillian into this mess. This is my fault. I should not have…” Samuel’s voice trailed off, and he was not even certain what to say.
“It is not your fault. You were not aware of what this madman was capable of. He certainly enjoys ruining people’s lives, making them squirm like bugs. Please, do not blame yourself, Yarmouth.”
“How can I not? I danced with her at the ball, thus exposing her to the man who wrote the article. It was not enough for him to ruin me, now he is intent on ruining everyone who comes into contact with me.”
“Do not blame yourself. We will not allow this to happen.”
“Your mother surely had much to say regarding this,” Samuel sighed.
“Well,” Lord Timothy sighed and looked at Samuel, “Lillian made me promise not to inform my parents yet.”
“How so?”
“Lillian was convinced that, if my mother and father knew of this, she would be imprisoned in our home until her last breath. She allowed me to inform you, but no one else.”
“She did?”
“Indeed. She did not seem to mind at all. It seems that you two are in the same situation, only hers is more dire. My mother will not tolerate anything which would bring harm to our family or its reputation.”
“Your mother is a proud woman, and relentless in her intent to protect her family. That is an admirable trait,” Samuel said.
“You speak much too kindly of my mother’s traits.”
Samuel chuckled and leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table.
“How is your sister?”
“She is well, but despite her insistence, it is clear that she is afraid and unsettled.”
Samuel’s jaw tensed once more, and he felt incredibly guilty that he had brought this on Lady Lillian. It was never his intention to drag her into his situation. But the only thing that he could now do was to find the man responsible, not only for the sake of his own reputation, but for the sake of Lady Lillian’s as well.
Samuel studied the letter and narrowed his eyes. There was something rather familiar about the penmanship, but he did not know why, beyond one certainty: it was written by the same man who had sent him the letter at his townhouse.
The two friends finished their drinks, but then Samuel excused himself after apologizing to Lord Timothy for cutting the evening short.
The words written in the threatening letter sent to Lady Lillian whirled through his mind as he rode home in his carriage, and he grew more and more worried with every moment that passed.
“Coachman, detour to Welsford House, please.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”
The carriage changed direction, and as it approached Welsford House, Samuel glanced out of the window. He noticed Lady Lillian in her window, and his heart began to pound wildly.
“Stop here, please. I will only be a moment.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Samuel climbed from the carriage and approached Welsford House. He lifted his gaze to the window and stared at the beautiful Lady Lillian. She suddenly held her hand against the glass and moved away.
Samuel’s brow furrowed as he watched her disappear from sight. Moments later, much to his surprise, the front door opened, and Lady Lillian stepped out, then closed the door behind her.
“Lady Lillian” he uttered with a smile as she approached him.
“Your Grace, come with me.”
Samuel followed Lady Lillian to a dark corner in the park central to the square, hiding them from sight by the foliage of the trees.
