Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

“ C olborne,” Samuel said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Up until the moment that he spoke, their boots on the walkway were the only sound to be heard. It was another cold winter’s day, but Samuel and Timothy were dressed warmly, and the winter air did not deter them from their stroll along Regent’s Park.

Samuel had several things he wished to discuss with Lord Timothy, but he did not wish to do so at Welsford House.

“Yarmouth?” Lord Timothy answered.

“I do hope that I did not bring strife to your family during dinner.”

Timothy waved a dismissive hand.

“Do not be absurd. My mother can be rather theatrical at times. But it is in no way a bad reflection on you.”

“Are you certain?” Samuel asked, with concern in both his voice and on his face. “The last thing I wish to do is cause tension”

“I am quite certain.”

“And your sister?”

Lord Timothy’s brow furrowed, and he looked at Samuel in confusion.

“What of my sister?”

“Is she well?”

“As far as I know.”

Samuel straightened his shoulders, and he was careful not to show too much concern. He did not want Timothy to grow suspicious of his interest in Lillian.

“She appeared distressed when your mother ordered her to leave the dining room.”

“My sister has a curious mind and tends to ask many questions without thinking. My mother does not care much for that, and she swiftly puts an end to it.”

Samuel nodded quietly, and his thoughts trailed back to the night he’d had dinner at Welsford House, especially the moment when he’d sat in his carriage and noticed Lady Lillian in her window. She was truly a beautiful young lady, and what made her even more exceptional was her curiosity. Samuel knew that he had never met someone quite like Lady Lillian before, and he wanted to get to know her better. Of course, that would never happen, since Lady Welsford had made it clear that she did not want Lady Lillian anywhere near him. He considered it to be rather unreasonable of her, as she had judged Samuel purely by the rumors she had heard of him around Town. They were not true but, despite Lord Timothy’s attempt to prove his innocence, Lady Welsford had not appeared convinced in the least.

“As long as she is well,” Samuel said, averting his gaze away from Lord Timothy.

Lord Timothy grinned with amusement.

“You are concerned about my sister’s well-being. Do not tell me that you are fond of her, Yarmouth?”

“She is a pleasant young woman, but I would not say that I am fond of her. I did not come to London to find a wife.”

“Of course. And how goes the search for the scandalous writer?” Lord Timothy asked with a simple nudge of his elbow.

“Not well at all. I have not found anything which is of help to me. I may need to give up my search and return to Cornwall early, still bearing a wrongfully tainted reputation.”

Lord Timothy stared at his friend and shook his head in disapproval.

“You cannot give up so soon.”

“But I am not certain what to do. My visit to the printers was fruitless, and I am not sure what I can do next.”

“Perhaps you ought to engage an investigator.”

“I do hope that you are not serious,” Samuel scoffed. “I would rather live with a ruined reputation than give out coin to someone who knows even less than I do.”

“Perhaps they are more resourceful than you are,” Lord Timothy pointed out.

“Do you know of such a person?”

“I can think of someone who knows an awful lot about finding information.”

Samuel stared at Lord Timothy and shook his head.

“Please do not say that you are thinking of your mother.”

Lord Timothy burst out laughing and looked out in front of him.

“You amuse me, Yarmouth. And while my mother knows of many sources who would be able to assist in your pursuit, I doubt very much that she will agree to assist you in clearing your name.”

“Indeed. Who were you referring to, then?”

Before Lord Timothy was able to answer, Samuel noticed a familiar figure hastily walking toward them.

“Brother,” Lady Lillian called out, waving her hand in the air.

“Colborne? What is your sister doing here?”

Lord Timothy’s brow furrowed, and his jaw tightened.

“I do not know. She seems to have eluded her maid.”

Samuel watched as Lady Lillian hastily approached them. Some distance behind Lady Lillian, a maid rushed after her, and Samuel smiled. The young Lady Lillian was certainly a breath of fresh air in the stuffiness of London.

“Brother, there you are,” Lady Lillian said as she reached Lord Timothy and Samuel.

“Sister, you must not exert yourself so. Take a few breaths.”

She nodded and looked briefly at Samuel while she caught her breath.

“Your Grace.”

Lady Lillian looked beautiful in a lovely warm cape and dark brown leather gloves. Her cheeks were flushed from her brisk walk, and she breathed deeply to regain herself.

“Lady Lillian,” Samuel flashed her a charming smile, which caused her cheeks to color even more. “How lovely to see you here.”

“Lovely to see you as well, Your Grace,” Lady Lillian smiled brightly and turned to her brother. “Pardon my intrusion. I did not mean to interrupt your conversation.”

“No need to apologize.”

“Sister, why are you in such a rush? Poor Meg cannot even keep up with you,” Lord Timothy said, motioning to Lady Lillian’s maid, who moved towards them now at a much slower pace.

“I had to speak with you, and you, Your Grace.”

“What do you wish to speak of, sister?” Lord Timothy inquired and shifted his weight.

Samuel stared at her, intrigued, unable to tear his eyes away from her.

“At breakfast, I listened to Mother speak of Lady Montague’s ball and how the ball was important to secure a match. Frivolous talk, really. But I am getting off track. I had a thought while I pretended to pay attention.”

Samuel smiled at Lady Lillian - he found her enchanting. Every word she spoke was music to his ears, and it was true. He had grown fond of her in a very short time.

“And what was your thought, sister?”

Lady Lillian drew in a deep breath and turned to Samuel.

“Does Your Grace still wish to find the person who wrote those falsehoods?”

Samuel and Lord Timothy exchanged surprised glances, and Samuel turned back to her.

“Indeed. It is why I traveled from Cornwall to London.”

Lady Lillian smiled and clasped her hands together.

“Perhaps I can be of some assistance.”

“Do not be absurd, sister. You-”

“Wait, Colborne,” Samuel interjected, silencing Lord Timothy within an instant. “I wish to hear what Lady Lillian has to say.”

Samuel turned to Lady Lillian and studied her for a few moments.

“Lady Lillian,” Meg finally reached Lady Lillian.

“It is alright, Meg,” Lord Timothy said to the maid, and she nodded, stepping to the side.

Samuel suppressed a grin and gazed at Lady Lillian with a crooked brow filled with intrigue.

“Tell me, Lady Lillian, what assistance can you offer?”

“The rumors around town have caused you a ruined reputation, but you would like to restore that reputation. Correct?”

“Indeed.”

Lady Lillian wrung her hands together and tensed her shoulders.

“I have a suggestion. As a result of that damage to your reputation, you are deemed undesirable by the ton . Why not change that to make Your Grace desirable again?”

“Intriguing. And how would you think we could achieve that?”

“I offer to spend time with Your Grace, which will intrigue the young ladies of the ton . Any respectable young woman would not be seen in the company of a man with such a sordid reputation, but our family has an impeccable reputation, which would count in Your Grace’s favor.”

“That is how you wish to restore His Grace’s reputation, sister?”

“Indeed. What does Your Grace think of my suggestion?” Lady Lillian gazed at Samuel with expectant eyes.

“And you wish to willingly spend time with me, Lady Lillian?”

“Indeed,” she answered rather hastily, but in a voice filled with confidence.

“But would that not ruin your own reputation? I would not want that,” Samuel stated.

Before Lady Lillian was able to answer, Lord Timothy stepped forward and shook his head in disapproval.

“I most certainly do not approve of this. And I am certain that Mother would not either. She would never allow you anywhere near His Grace, with all due respect, of course.”

“Understandable,” Samuel noted.

“And she would most certainly not allow her only daughter to be in the presence of a man with such a sordid reputation. The reputation of our family is the most important thing in the world to her, and she will not allow anything or anyone to jeopardize it.”

“But Timothy…”

“No, sister. I will not allow this.”

Lady Lillian pursed her lips, and her shoulders slumped a little.

“I only wish to help.”

“And it is very kind of you, sister, but I cannot allow you to assist in the way that you have suggested. I am sorry,” Lord Timothy stated.

“I understand,” Lady Lillian nodded and lowered her gaze.

“I am grateful for your eagerness to help, Lady Lillian. I appreciate it more than you would ever know,” Samuel said.

Lady Lillian nodded quietly and looked at Samuel.

“Will we see Your Grace at Lady Montague’s ball tomorrow evening?”

Samuel shifted his weight in discomfort, and his shoulders tensed.

The mere thought of a ball or a large social gathering caused Samuel to shudder. Despite being raised by a mother who enjoyed both hosting and attending balls, Samuel had never truly enjoyed such gatherings. Parading around, dancing with young ladies, and pretending to have a good time - it was simply not something Samuel enjoyed doing.

“Lady Montague’s balls are lovely, and perhaps we can enjoy a dance together as well,” Lady Lillian said with a slight smile.

“Perhaps.”

“I must be going. Mother will wonder where I am. Have a lovely day, Your Grace.” Lady Lillian drew in a deep breath and turned away, with apparent reluctance, from Samuel and Lord Timothy.

Samuel watched her walk away from him, following the path in the direction she had come from, earlier.

Lord Timothy would not allow Lady Lillian to help him in restoring his reputation, but Samuel was very impressed with her eagerness to assist him. No one had ever selflessly offered to assist him with anything before, and he was grateful for her offer.

Even if Lord Timothy had agreed to allow Lady Lillian to assist him, Samuel would not have accepted her offer. She was a caring and delightful girl, and he did not wish her reputation to be tainted because she wanted to help him.

He would not be able to live with himself if such a thing happened.

“Are you well, Yarmouth?” Lord Timothy suddenly asked Samuel.

Samuel snapped out of his musing state and turned to his friend.

“I beg your pardon, Colborne. I did not hear you.”

“You have been silent for longer than usual.”

Samuel cleared his throat and nodded.

“I am well. I was merely lost in thought.”

“That is understandable. My sister can get rather carried away when a thought enters her head. I apologize that I had to put a stop to her preposterous idea. It would be very risky, and I will not allow my sister to put herself in such a position.”

“I understand. There is no need to apologize,” Samuel stated.

Lord Timothy nodded and stared solemnly into the distance.

“Will you be joining us at Lady Montague’s ball? Perhaps your presence will create redemption of some sort.”

“I doubt that, Colborne.”

Samuel’s jaw tightened, and, despite not being the type of person who enjoyed balls, he considered attending. Perhaps Lady Lillian would have a space open on her dance card for him. Samuel was an excellent dancer, all thanks to his late mother, but he had not danced in a long while. But if he attended Lady Montague’s ball, he would certainly make an exception for Lady Lillian.