Page 38 of The Undesirable Duke
“It was a long time ago, Lady Lillian. To answer your question, we were not, but I was aware of who he was. We did not attend the same classes, but I saw him every so often at the university. Why do you ask?”
“Curiosity. I heard my mother speak of Oxford and that you also attended. I merely wondered if you and my brother knew one another well, or not.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, but no.”
“There is no need to apologize.”
“But we will certainly get acquainted in the future.”
Lillian subtly breathed a sigh of relief when the music ended, and Lord Bertram released her hand.
“Thank you for the dance, my Lord. I enjoyed it very much.”
“As did I, Lady Lillian.”
“Please do excuse me. If you happen to see my brother, please tell him that I am looking for him,” Lillian said as he led her to her mother.
“I will do so, Lady Lillian.”
Lillian smiled at Lord Bertram and curtsied when they arrived near her mother, who was still deep in conversation. He bowed, and turned away, obviously seeking whichever young lady he had promised the next dance to. She breathed a sigh of relief, then turned, before her mother could pull her into whatever dull conversation she was engaged in, and made her way to the other side of the ballroom with purpose.
Truth be told, she had nowhere to be, but all she knew was that she needed to get as far away from Lord Bertram as possible. Something was rather odd, and there was a strange feeling in her stomach. How on earth was Timothy so against Lord Bertram’s presence in her life if the two of them were never truly acquainted? Either Lord Bertram was lying, or Timothy was. But why would her brother lie to her? What possible reason could he have to lie to her about Lord Bertram? What did Timothy know of Lord Bertram that he did not wish her to know?
She stopped near a small collection of chairs in one corner, staring out across the room while she thought. As Lillian worked her lower lip, she noticed a familiar and very distinguished figure in the ballroom, not too far away from her. It was the Duke of Yarmouth.
Immediately, all thought of Lord Bertram left her mind.
Lillian would have assumed that a man as wealthy and attractive as the Duke would have young women surrounding him, or persistent Mamas bombarding him, but given the recent rumors, this was not true. The Duke stood alone, and not a single person looked directly at him. Their scowls were, of course, not lost upon the Duke nor upon Lillian, and she felt rather bad for him. He did not deserve to be shunned the way he was, but it did not appear to bother him. He sipped his drink and stared at the ballroom. Despite his poised stance, he appeared rather lonely.
Lillian glanced around her, ensuring that her mother was not nearby, and then she made her way towards the Duke. He looked utterly dashing in his dark formal attire, set off by a white waistcoat adorned with golden embroidery. There was, however, a pensive tension to his shoulders and jaw, which accentuated the sharpness of his features.
As she approached the Duke, his gaze shifted towards her, and his expression softened, much to her delight.
“Lady Lillian, how lovely to see you,” he smiled at her.
“How lovely to see Your Grace as well. I was not certain whether you would attend, but I am glad that you have.”
“As am I. You look very lovely, Lady Lillian.”
Lillian’s cheeks colored, and she lowered her gaze.
“You are too kind.”
“Is that new?” the Duke inquired, as he motioned to her brooch.
Lillian’s smile faded ever so slightly, and she nodded.
“It was a gift.”
“From Lord Bertram, I take it.”
“How did Your Grace know that?”
“Your brother informed me. Apparently, he is very interested in you, Lady Lillian, and I do not blame him one bit.”
Lillian’s cheeks colored once again, and she giggled a little.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. I do not know what came over me.”
