Page 67 of The Undesirable Duke
“Why on earth would you visit him at such an hour? That is not proper, Timothy, especially not with your sister accompanying you.”
“I am aware of that, Mother, and I sincerely apologize. The Duke had an issue at his home. Someone broke his window and ransacked two rooms inside his house. “
Lord Welsford gasped.
“Is he well? Was anything taken?”
“No, there was only damage to his furniture, and he hurt his hand.”
“He hurt his hand?” Lillian gasped. “Why did I not see that?”
“It does not matter. Or perhaps it was due to disobeying my orders,” Lady Welsford retorted.
“The more important question is, why were you two there at this time of the night? It is most improper, even if it had been only you that visited the Duke, Timothy.”
Timothy nodded.
“I am aware of that, Father. I simply wished to see if the Duke was well and if he required assistance with anything.”
“Timothy was being a good friend, Father. There were no ill intentions. I also only wished to see if he was well. And…”
“And what, Lillian?”
“It does not matter,” Lady Welsford huffed at Lord Welsford. “She disobeyed me. What if something had happened to them? What if they had been injured, attacked, or robbed?”
“Or worse, seen in the company of the Duke,” Lillian said sarcastically and glared at her mother.
“How dare you speak to me in such a tone?”
Lord Welsford held up his hands and attempted to keep the peace.
“Shall we all remain calm?”
His question was, of course, directed to Lady Welsford, but Lord Welsford was very diplomatic and did not wish to further insult his beloved wife, who had the tendency to take things too far at times.
“I am calm,” Lady Welsford sighed, clasping her hands together.
“Why did you wish to accompany Timothy, Lillian?” Lord Welsford inquired.
“When he had dinner here, the Duke spoke of wishing to find the man who wrote the article which has damaged his reputation. He wanted to unmask him, and I offered to assist. Timothy, however, did not agree that it was a good idea. Nor did the Duke. He declined my offer. But I still wanted to assist.”
“What did you do, Lillian?”
“She did nothing, Mother. Lillian received a letter at home, threatening her with a ruined reputation if she did not keep her distance from the Duke.”
Both their parents gasped.
“Lillian, how could you not inform us?”
“What if something had happened?”
“I apologize. I am at fault. I pleaded with Timothy not to inform you. I did not wish either of you to be concerned.”
“You were threatened by a man who, all evidence suggests, makes good on his promises. What were you thinking?” Lady Welsford exclaimed.
“I am not certain. Perhaps I was not thinking at all. But it turned out for the best,” Lillian stated.
“And why do you say that?” Lord Welsford asked with a furrowed brow.
