Page 51 of The Undesirable Duke
Lillian’s heart pounded as she recalled the Duke’s hand brushing her cheek, and how gentle his touch had been. If she had not been terrified of being seen, she would have gathered the courage to tell the Duke that her fondness for him had grown, although she was uncertain if he felt the same. But she also recalled his desperate gaze and his promise to her that he would not allow anyone to harm her.
She exhaled slowly, composing herself. She certainly did not wish to swoon at the table. Timothy would think she had fainted, and it would cause more questions. And Lillian was not in the mood to explain herself.
Timothy paged through the newspaper, his brow furrowed.
“What is the matter, brother? You appear perplexed.”
He closed the newspaper, and his jaw clenched.
“It is nothing of concern. I was merely trying to see whether there was anything else written about His Grace. But there is nothing. There was only that one article, and none ever again. Perhaps the writer has moved on, and decided to leave His Grace be. And you, for that matter.”
“Timothy, quiet,” Lillian hushed her. “I do not want that information to fall onto the wrong ears.”
“Apologies, sister. I am merely irate, as His Grace and I are no closer to unmasking this man than we were when Yarmouth arrived in Town.”
“I understand. And that I am not allowed to leave the house makes it even more difficult.”
Timothy grinned at Lillian and shook his head.
“It is adorable that you think you would be able to solve this.”
Lillian straightened her shoulders and raised an eyebrow at him.
“You underestimate me, brother.”
Timothy chuckled and drew in a deep breath.
“I find it rather interesting that there was nothing else written about His Grace,” Lillian pointed out and lowered her voice to be more discreet, “or even about me.”
“And why is that interesting to you? Is it not enough that you are being threatened by this madman?”
“I am justifiably terrified, but that is not the point. The person who published the article only did so once. He did not make any more attempts to further ruin His Grace’s reputation, or anyone else’s for that matter. He did, however, send letters. Not only to His Grace but to me as well. And I think I know why.”
Timothy cocked his head.
“I do not understand what you are attempting to say.”
“It was personal, for obvious reasons.”
“Meaning?”
“Someone who was wronged by His Grace might be seeking revenge,” Lillian stated.
“That is preposterous. Yarmouth would not harm anyone, nor wrong them. And he had not been in London for years. Why on earth would this person only write untruths of him now?” Timothy shook his head in disagreement. “That certainly does not make any sense.”
“I am not certain as to why, but there might be someone who feels wronged by His Grace and has only recently decided to seek revenge.”
“While I doubt that is possible, I will inquire of Yarmouth.”
“Perhaps someone in his past. The brother of a young lady he wronged, perhaps?”
Timothy stared at her.
“That is oddly specific, sister.”
“It was merely a thought,” Lillian answered, and a small smile appeared on her lips.
Luckily, she had not been wronged by the Duke. In fact, she could not imagine the Duke wronging anyone. He was such a polite and kind man, who was rather protective of her as well, which only added to her feelings for him.
