Page 9 of The Undesirable Duke
Lord Timothy smiled brightly and rose to his feet.
“Another drink?”
“That would be lovely.”
Samuel and Lord Timothy spent the rest of the night conversing and sharing stories of all that had occurred whilst they had been away from one another. Despite being apart for so long, it felt, as it usually did between them, as though no time had passed since they had last been together. Between the walls of Brooks’, the two friends became reacquainted as theirfriendship strengthened, and Samuel felt more at home than ever in London.
Chapter Four
“Ido love this color on her.”
Lillian stared at her reflection in the mirror - she was wearing an unfinished dress in a lovely shade of pale blue. The modiste pinned the dress to fit the silhouette of her bust perfectly, allowing the skirt to hang freely around her. The soft material swished as it moved and gently caressed her arms which were hanging at her sides.
“It suits her very well, my Lady.”
The modiste smiled at Lady Welsford and winked at Lillian in the mirror’s reflection.
The modiste, Madame Periaux, had a talent for transforming rolls of silks, cotton, and lace into the most exquisite gowns, and has even created the occasional pair of shoes as well. She had told Lillian and Lady Welsford that her father was a cobbler, and he had taught her how to fashion shoes and boots. She did make elegant evening slippers upon request, but her forte was stylish gowns and day dresses for her clientele, who were solely members of theton. Her prices were high, but with it came social status, and being seen in a creation that came from her shop held a certain prestige.
Ever since Lillian was a young girl, she and her mother had visited Madame Periaux’s, and the modiste had never disappointed. Her dresses were of high quality, and she took pride in her creations, as she knew thetonwere difficult to please. She always delivered the perfect gown.
“I do love it as well. It will suit me even better as soon as this dreary winter ends. I cannot wait for the Spring to arrive,” Lillian uttered, eyeing herself in the mirror.
Her golden hair was pinned up and to the side, and then tumbled down past her shoulder in one thick curl, with wisps of golden locks framing her face.
“Are you hoping to catch the eye of a certain gentleman next Season, Lady Lillian?” Madame Periaux inquired with a broad smile.
Lillian was on the verge of answering the question when her mother interjected.
“Perhaps sooner. It will be Lillian’s third Season, and prospects will start to thin as new ladies make their Come Outs in society.”
“I cannot believe it has already been three Seasons since your Come Out, Lady Lillian.”
“Indeed it has. I do feel the need to double my efforts to secure Lillian a match, possibly before the Season opens.”
“If it is anyone who has the tenacity to succeed, it is most certainly you, my Lady.”
Lillian wrinkled her nose, as her mother’s words left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had hoped that she would have met someone who she found interesting, and who made her feel seen in an ocean of young women, but the ballrooms were crowded, and the mamas were relentless in their pursuit of finding their daughters a match.
It was a great fear of Lillian’s that she might have somehow missed her love match, that she had not noticed him hiding inthe corner of a ballroom, or perhaps concealed in an alcove, not wishing to be spotted by the scouting mamas. Perhaps he had been on the verge of approaching her, only to be intimidated by the gentlemen who attempted to impress her with their boasting.
Lillian bit her lower lip, hoping that this was not true and that her love match was still roaming the streets, determined to find her. But she was constantly reminded by her mother that love matches were rare and that she should not depend on that possibility. Many fine gentlemen in London were seeking wives, and she should not hold out for a love match.
But how could she not hope for love? How could she agree to marry a man she did not love? Was that not the ultimate injustice? Or rather the ultimate punishment? How could she learn to love a man who she did not feel any attraction towards? She had certainly found many of the gentlemen whom she had been introduced to to be handsome and charming, but none of them felt right. Of course, her mother thought that she was being preposterous in saying such things.
This was why her mother was set on arranging a call from Lord Bertram. He was certainly handsome, and slightly older than Lillian, but he came from a wealthy and influential family. Although Lillian had not spent much time in his company, he was a delightful dancer, and he was well-spoken. And of course, he had attended Oxford University, which made him not only well-schooled but also intelligent. Perhaps she ought to give Lord Bertram a chance to prove himself. After all, being the wife of a Marquess was better than being a spinster.
“I wonder what color Lord Bertram prefers,” Lillian blurted out.
Lady Welsford stared at her for a moment, rendered speechless, but a satisfied smile appeared on her lips shortly after the shock had settled.
“Perhaps we ought to ask him.”
Lillian nodded quietly. She did not wish to fight with her mother, especially not when it was about suitors. She did not stand a chance, as her mother ruled WelsfordHouse and all those who lived under its roof, with an iron fist
“Lord Bertram, the Marquess?” Madame Periaux inquired.
“Indeed.”
