Page 49 of Claiming His Scottish Duchess
The two sat in silence for a moment as a servant refreshed their beverages.
“There is one more piece to this,” Tillworth continued, “the most valuable witness in this case… is your niece, Lady Lydia.”
“Absolutely not,” Richard said firmly.
Tillworth’s expression hardened. “With all due respect, Your Grace, she wasthere. She saw what happened. Her testimony?—”
“She is a child,” Richard’s voice was harsh, his protective instincts surging. “And if you think I will parade her before the public like some trained animal to satisfy political expedience, you are gravely mistaken.”
Tillworth straightened, irritation flickering in his eyes. “Without her, Your Grace, we may have no path forward. The Runners need evidence.”
Richard’s stare was unflinching. “Find another way. Or find yourself another patron.”
For a heartbeat, neither man moved.
Then, with a tight nod, Tillworth relented. “Very well. I will see what the Runners can muster… without her.”
Richard rose, the chair scraping lightly against the floor.
“For your sake,” he said quietly, adjusting his coat, “see that you do.”
“Yer Grace,” Catriona found him in the library, surrounded by stacks of ledgers and miscellaneous documents. “I think, well, I think we should go into the village.”
“The village? Why?” Richard asked, looking up in surprise at the intrusion.
“Well, as lovely as Wilthorne is… we are quite isolated here,” Catriona explained, gesturing vaguely towards the window and the rolling hills beyond. “And Lydia… she barely sees anyone beyond the household staff, her governess and meself. It cannae be healthy for her to be so shut away.”
“Perhaps.”
“Perhaps? Is that what ye say when someone is talkin’ plain sense to ye?”
“Very well. It may do her good to have a change of scenery.” Richard agreed reluctantly as he considered his niece and what she may have to face if the case were reopened.
“Exactly!” Catriona’s enthusiasm bloomed at his affirmation. “And I would like to see it too. To become acquainted with our people.”
“The villagers… well, they can be overwhelming. I will make sure it is a controlled outing.”
“We shall be a calm presence for her,” Catriona insisted gently. “Just a short visit! For all of us.”
After a moment of contemplation, Richard finally nodded. He would have to give in to his wife at one point, and this seemed a smaller lift than other requests.
“Very well. We shall go, but only for a short visit. That is my final decision.”
Catriona’s enthusiasm was tempered by the weight of his words, but she nodded. “Understood.”
The arrival of their carriage caused a palpable stir, disrupting the usual goings of their days. Villagers paused in their tasks, their eyes wide as they took in the imposing vehicle and its occupants, which rarely made an appearance.
“Your Grace,” an old man called out as he doffed his cap, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Thank you kindly, Druthers,” he said in response. “Please allow me to introduce my wife, the Duchess of Wilthorne.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” he said with a bow.
“It’s an honor, Your Grace,” a woman called out, with two babies in her arms. “Good day to you and your family.”
“And to yers,” Catriona returned with a smile. “Yer bairns are beautiful.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she returned. Catriona had to fight the laughter rising in her throat at the woman’s obvious delight.
