Page 74 of The Undesirable Duke
“It was probably one-sided, so do not fret.”
Timothy pursed his lips and pondered for a short while.
“I must say, sister, I would not mind if Yarmouth courted you.”
“What?” Lillian exclaimed.
“I will not repeat myself, as I am certain that you heard me.”
“I did indeed. I am merely shocked at hearing that.”
Timothy frowned.
“Why does that shock you?”
“The Duke is your friend, and I am your sister. He is older than I am.”
“Rather older than younger, not so?”
Lillian shook her head.
“That is not the point am trying to make.”
“Then what is it?”
Lillian was rather perplexed, and she stared at her brother.
“Do you mean to tell me that you would not object in the least if the Duke wished to court me?”
“Not at all.”
“And why is that?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Because I know Yarmouth, and I have for a long time. There is no man on this earth I would more easily trust with you, or your heart, than Yarmouth.”
Stunned to silence, Lillian stared at her brother, and a tear ran down her cheek. Of course it did not matter what her brother had to say, or whether he approved of their relationship. The Duke was on his way back to Cornwall, and she would never be allowed to tell him of her feelings for him.
The sound of the front door opening caused the two Colborne siblings to cease their conversation, and Lillian sighed. Their parents’ voices suddenly spilled in from the front door as they entered, and Lillian pursed her lips, not wishing to speak about the Duke any longer. She was not allowed to utter his name in her mother’s presence, so she turned back to the pianoforte.
As Lord and Lady Welsford entered the drawing room, they happily greeted their two children.
“Good afternoon, my dears,” Lady Welsford smiled.
“Good afternoon, Mother, Father.”
“Oh, good. I am delighted to see that you have left your room, Lillian. I do hope that you are feeling better,” Lady Welsford spoke in a relatively caring voice.
“Quite the opposite, thank you, Mother,” Lillian muttered as she paged through the sheet music in front of her.
“Mother, Father, do you perhaps have a moment?” Timothy inquired as he rose to his feet.
“Of course,” Lord Welsford nodded. “Is there something the matter?”
“Indeed, very much so.”
“What is it, Timothy? Has something happened?” Lady Welsford asked clutching the pearl necklace around her neck.
“While I respect your wish to keep Lillian inside our home to prevent further scandal, I do not enjoy seeing my sister unhappy.”
