Page 49 of The Undesirable Duke
“Your Grace, I am aware that this is most improper, but it is the only way that I am able to speak with you.”
“It is quite alright, Lady Lillian, I do understand.”
Samuel’s heart began to race as she stared into Lady Lillian’s eyes, and it was quite overwhelming to stand that close to her.
“There is something which I must tell Your Grace,” Lady Lillian whispered, and she sounded as flustered as Samuel felt.
“You do not need to say a word. Your brother informed me of the letter that you received, and it was rather alarming,” Samuel whispered in the shadows. He was well aware that if anyone were to see them, Lady Lillian’s reputation would be ruined, but at that moment in time, he did not wish to move away, even the slightest bit. Standing close to Lady Lillian warmed his body atan overwhelming rate, but he felt not a shred of regret. “I cannot imagine how unsettled you must be feeling.”
Lady Lillian shrugged her shoulders.
“Being prohibited from leaving the house as ordered by my mother has its advantages.”
“Are you well under the circumstances?” Samuel asked in a concerned tone.
Lady Lillian clasped her hands together and nodded hesitantly.
“I am as well as can be expected. I am concerned about you.”
“Do not be. I am perfectly fine.”
Lady Lillian nodded pensively and sighed. A lock of golden hair fell onto her face, and Samuel fought the urge inside him to brush it away.
“But you need not fret, Lady Lillian. I will find the man responsible. I will not allow him to threaten you, or cause you any harm.”
A grateful smile graced Lady Lillian’s delicate lips, and her eyes sparkled even in the darkness around them.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
The intensity of her gaze mesmerized Samuel, and the feelings which filled him were rather overwhelming. He had not felt this way about any young woman before, and it was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. Despite knowing that he should step away, he brushed the golden lock of hair off her face, his hand gently caressing her cheek.
Her lips parted, and her chin tilted upward. Her lips were so close, Lady Lillian’s breath was warm on his face, and he was unable to fight the urge that filled him. He leaned in closer to her, but much to his dismay, their moment was interrupted by the clattering of hooves nearby. Samuel moved away hastily and felt rather embarrassed for nearly compromising the young lady with a kiss.
“My apologies, Lady Lillian.”
“There is no need to apologize, Your Grace,” Lady Lillian uttered breathlessly.
“I urge you to go back inside before someone sees us.” Lady Lillian’s reluctance was not lost on Samuel, and he gently brushed away the lock of hair, which had fallen onto her face again. “Please, go,” he whispered.
Lady Lillian nodded and hastily left his side. He watched as she disappeared back into Welsford House, and he sighed wearily.
It was clear that she was frightened and unsettled by the threatening letter, and he did not blame her in the least.
Of course, he blamed himself. If it were not for him, Lady Lillian would not be in this situation. He would not have brought attention to her, and the person responsible would not have set his sights on her.
As he stepped out of the shadows and went towards his carriage, he instinctively gazed up at her window. But she was not there. The candle that bathed the room in a golden glow had also been blown out, and there was only darkness.
Samuel stepped up into his carriage and directed the coachman to take him to his townhouse. It had certainly been a very long evening, and he now wished for the confines and the solitude of his home.
His concern for Lady Lillian grew as the carriage rolled along the cobblestones, and he vowed that he would unmask the man who had threatened her.
Samuel recalled the threatening letter that Lord Timothy had shown him, and the more that he thought about it, the more certain he was that the penmanship was rather unique. It was the same as that on the letter which he had received upon his arrival at the townhouse, which meant that it was from the same person.
But who was it? It was obvious to Samuel that it was a member of thetonand someone who had seen Samuel and Lady Lillian together, whether it was at Lady Montague’s ball or strolling through the park. But it made more sense that it was a guest at the ball. Finding out who it was would be rather difficult, as the guest list had been extensive. Lady Montague had never excluded any member of thetonat her previous balls and, in a similar manner, had made no exception with the most recent one.
Samuel’s jaw tightened as he tried to think of who might wish to ruin both his reputation and Lady Lillian’s, but no one came to mind. They had no known enemies, and it was impossible to prove otherwise. Perhaps he required a new approach, but what would that be? Perhaps he and Lord Timothy ought to speak again, on the morrow.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of his townhouse, Samuel heard a commotion from outside. He stepped down from the carriage, and his brow furrowed as he saw his footmen, the Housekeeper, and a few of the maids standing outside. A broken window was visible from where he stood, and he approached his Housekeeper, seeking an explanation. The maids scattered back into the townhouse, and the footmen resumed their places.
