Page 53 of The Undesirable Duke
“It is more of a confession, really.”
“Lillian,” her brother warned.
Lillian clasped her hands together and stepped forward.
“What happened was my fault.”
“How on earth could it be your fault, sister?” he asked incredulously. “You did not leave the house.”
“But I did.”
Timothy rubbed his temples and stared at her.
“What?”
“Last eve, I sat in my window and noticed Yarmouth’s carriage slowly pass by the house. It stopped, and the Duke saw me. I motioned to him to wait for me, and I met with him outside.”
“Please tell me that is not true.”
Lillian nodded regretfully.
“I pulled the Duke aside under the shadow of the foliage in the small park in the square. I required a moment alone withhim, which was most improper, but at that point, it did not appear that way to me. It was innocent, I can assure you.”
“And why did you wish to speak with him so privately that it was necessary to hide away?”
Lillian lowered her gaze and realized that her feelings could no longer be hidden.
“I wished to apologize to him and to assure him that I was well. He did not need to be too concerned, as I was locked inside our home until further notice.”
“Sister, I cannot believe that you jeopardized your reputation by meeting with him in such a manner. You could have been seen.”
“And that is why it is my fault. I suspect that the person who is threatening us saw us together. And to retaliate, they violated the Duke’s home.”
“Lillian, why would you do such a thing?”
Lillian gulped and stared at her brother.
“I care for the Duke, perhaps too much.”
Timothy stepped back and studied his sister.
“You care for the Duke.”
“Indeed,” she whispered, twisting a curl around her finger.
Timothy sighed wearily and shook his head.
“That is not a good choice to make. I do hope that you are aware of that.”
“I do. I wish I had made a different choice, but I cannot change it. But I am willing to fix it.”
“And how do you think to do that?”
“I am not certain. I feel guilty for allowing this to happen to the Duke. And I wish to apologize to him,” Lillian uttered quietly.
“I will inform him of your apology.”
“No, I wish to do it in person.”
