Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

S amuel was impressed with the dinner table and realized that the Colborne family was much wealthier than he had thought. He had known that Lord Timothy was the only son of the Earl of Welsford, who was a very influential man with numerous business dealings, but he had certainly underestimated their success.

Welsford House was an exquisite home in Mayfair, with stone steps that led to the front door, and lavender bushes with a delicate and delightful scent. The home was large in comparison to other houses in the street, which made the Colbornes’ success and status obvious. Both the drawing room and the dining room in the home were spacious and luxuriously decorated, with furnishings that certainly appeared to be imported.

The drawing room, where he had laid eyes on Lady Lillian after believing that he would never see her again, was bright even during the sunset. The room was drenched in a golden glow, illuminating her skin, and he was both stunned and mesmerized by her beauty. Even during dinner, it was rather difficult for Samuel to tear his eyes away from her. Much to his delight, she spoke often, and it would have been considered rude if he did not look at her while she spoke.

“What brings you back to London, Your Grace?” Lord Welsford asked. “I understand that your estate is in Cornwall.”

Samuel softly cleared his throat and looked at Lord Welsford.

“I have some business to tend to in town, my Lord.”

“And it could not wait until after Christmas?” Lady Welsford asked, her eyes narrowed and sharply focused on Samuel.

“It was not something I could wave off until the new year, my Lady. It is quite urgent and requires my immediate attention.”

“What kind of business, Your Grace?” Lady Lillian inquired, and Samuel gazed at her, his eyes softening.

“Darling, do not be intrusive,” Lady Welsford warned her daughter.

“My apologies, Your Grace,” Lady Lillian lowered her gaze.

“That is quite alright, Lady Lillian. And she was not being intrusive, my Lady.”

“Father says that I have an inquisitive mind.”

“The most inquisitive you will ever meet,” Lord Welsford smiled.

Samuel nodded and Lady Lillian’s eye met his briefly.

“It is a good trait to have.”

Lady Lillian’s cheeks colored, and her gaze lowered to her meal.

“The dinner is delicious,” Samuel said quietly. “Please give my compliments to your cook, my Lady.”

“I will do so, Your Grace.”

“How is Cornwall this time of the year, Your Grace?” Lord Welsford inquired.

“Cold, dull, and wet, my Lord.”

“Not much different than London, then?”

“I would rather experience a snowstorm in London than any winter’s day in Cornwall. The cold is indescribable. It seeps into your bones, chilling your soul.”

“I can only imagine how miserable that must be, especially after the tragic death of your mother, and so soon after your father’s passing as well. Our sincerest condolences.”

Samuel’s jaw clenched slightly, and he nodded.

“Thank you, my Lord. It was quite a shock to the family.”

“You live alone at your estate, Your Grace?” Lady Lillian asked.

“Indeed.”

“Is it not terribly lonely?”

A morose smile appeared on his lips, and he nodded once more. The empathy in Lady Lillian’s eyes was heartwarming and her kind heart was evident in the manner she looked at him.

“It can be, especially since your brother has failed to visit in the past two years.”

Lord Timothy chuckled.

“I must apologize. I have been meaning to, I promise. But you have not come to London, either.”

“Indeed - but time passes rather quickly when one is engaged in things that take precedence, and the management of the estate has been topmost since my father’s sickness and passing.”

“Truer words have never been spoken,” Lord Welsford pointed out. “At times we do not realize how speedily time moves.”

“Indeed, my Lord.”

“Surely Your Grace does not need to stay in Cornwall all year round.”

“I have considered occupying my townhouse in Mayfair, which I must admit would be much more convenient, but I have had estate matters to deal with,” Samuel said.

“I am certain that Timothy would enjoy having Your Grace closer,” Lady Lillian said, with a hint of a mischievous smile.

“Indeed, I would,” Lord Timothy agreed.

Samuel grinned at Lady Lillian, and they shared a moment that made Samuel believe that she was not referring to her brother, but to herself, and he discovered that he felt the same, that he would not mind living closer to Lady Lillian.

“Your brother told me that you and he are much alike. Is that true?”

Lady Lillian tilted her head to the side and a lock of golden hair brushed her shoulder.

“I do not know what Your Grace means?”

“He mentioned that you are outspoken and persistent, even more so than he is.”

“My brother flatters me, and he is not wrong. But unlike my brother, I enjoy reading.”

Samuel smiled brightly.

“Delightful. What have you been reading of late?”

“I have been enjoying the works of Shakespeare, but my most recent book is a novel called Pride and Prejudice. It is rather good and very well written.”

“That is an Austen novel, is it not?”

“Your Grace knows of her?”

“Indeed. My father had quite an extensive collection of books in his library, and after his passing, I took it upon myself to continue to grow his collection.”

“Father has been allowing me to grow my collection in the upstairs drawing room. Perhaps after dinner, I can show Your Grace.”

Lord Timothy scoffed.

“Dear Lillian. I am certain that the Duke does not want to see your silly little collection of novels.”

“They are not silly. They are wonderful literary works.”

“I would love to,” Samuel said, much to everyone’s surprise.

“Perhaps not,” Lady Welsford said firmly. “It is already enough that His Grace was invited for dinner. I cannot allow you to be in the upstairs drawing room without a chaperone.”

“Mother-”

“It is settled, Lillian.”

Lady Lillian nodded and lowered her gaze. Her mother’s firm response was somewhat unfair, but Samuel understood that Lady Welsford did not wish her daughter to be alone with him, especially because of the rumors around Town.

Throughout dinner Samuel listened to Lord Welsford and Lord Timothy as they engaged in conversation with him, responding appropriately. The ladies at the table did not speak much, apart from Lady Welsford’s occasional comment. Lady Lillian kept mostly to herself, although Samuel could see that she had many things on her mind. He certainly hoped that he was one of those things.

“How long will you be staying in town?” Lord Welsford asked.

“Well, Lord Timothy invited me to spend Christmas with your family, and I believe that I shall return to Cornwall in the new year. Perhaps even sooner if my business here is concluded,” Samuel answered.

“Your Grace, may I ask a question?” Lady Lillian asked suddenly.

“Lillian, I am certain that His Grace does not wish to be bombarded with questions,” her mother warned.

Samuel raised his hand calmly.

“It is alright, my Lady.” He turned to Lady Lillian and nodded. “Of course, Lady Lillian.”

“Is Your Grace’s visit to Town due to my brother’s invitation solely, or does it have anything to do with the rumors about Your Grace?” Lady Lillian inquired, astonishing both her parents and her brother.

“Lillian,” Lady Welsford warned. “This is not a suitable topic of conversation. It is quite improper, so I would appreciate it if you were to stop, right this instant.”

“That is quite alright, my Lady,” Samuel dismissed her concerns. “I am certain that Lady Lillian did not mean any offense.”

“I did not, Your Grace. I did not mean to show any disrespect,” Lady Lillian spoke slowly, her eyes sparkling.

“There is no need to apologize. But while we are on the subject, allow me to clear the air. Indeed, there are rumors around town of me.”

“Which are completely false,” Lord Timothy stated clearly. “His Grace has not even been in London for the last two years, to do what is said of him.”

Lady Welsford appeared unconvinced by this and raised an apprehensive brow.

“If the claims are false, why is everyone speaking of it?”

Samuel hesitated and glanced at Lord Timothy, who appeared ready to answer any questions.

“It appears that someone falsely wrote those tales of His Grace to ruin his reputation on purpose,” Lord Timothy answered. “It was published in the Lambeth Times, and it spread like wildfire. His Grace does not deserve to be shunned from society because of untruths.”

Lady Lillian frowned and shook her head.

“But who would do such a thing? From what I have seen tonight, Your Grace is not worthy to be shunned.”

“Thank you, Lady Lillian. Your words are kind. To answer your question, I am not certain,” Samuel answered, and their gazes locked for a short time. “I was hoping that my return to Town would enable me to seek out the person, but I am not certain whether it will be possible to locate him.”

“And what makes Your Grace think it is a man?” Lady Lillian asked quietly.

Samuel’s brow furrowed, and he stared at Lady Lillian with a puzzled expression.

“That is a rather good question,” Lord Welsford pointed out. “Are there any suspects?”

Lady Welsford placed her cutlery on her plate loudly, the clattering echoed through the dining room.

“You all speak as though this is a mystery that needs to be solved.”

“But it is, Mother.”

“And it is quite intriguing, you must admit, darling.”

“No, it is not. I have expressed my feelings towards His Grace rather forthrightly and I stand by it. I do not wish our family’s reputation to be sullied by these rumors as a result of Timothy insisting on inviting the Duke to join us for dinner and Christmas. And although I will not chase His Grace from our home, please do not expect me to be happy with this arrangement. Come along, Lillian. Let us allow the gentlemen to speak freely amongst themselves. Their discussions are certainly not for our delicate ears.”

“But I have not finished.”

“ Now , Lillian.”

Lady Welsford rose to her feet and stared expectantly at Lady Lillian. Lady Lillian placed her cutlery on her plate and slowly rose to her feet with a sigh.

“It was lovely to meet you, Your Grace,” she said quietly.

“And you, Lady Lillian.”

As the two ladies left the dining room, the gentlemen were quiet as the tension lingered for a few moments.

Lord Welsford wiped the corner of his mouth and looked at Samuel.

“I apologize for my wife. She is rather stressed at the moment. It is Lillian’s third Season since her Come Out and she has not yet found a suitable match. It has taken its toll on my wife.”

“And what of Lady Lillian?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Has searching for a husband taken its toll on your daughter as well?”

Lord Timothy chuckled.

“She seems rather uninterested in the idea of marriage. Why do you ask? Are you interested, Yarmouth?”

Samuel laughed in amusement but felt oddly nervous at the question.

“Of course not. That would mean I would be related to you.”

“Only by marriage, luckily.”

They laughed, then turned their attention to other things, relaxing into convivial conversation.

As the evening drew to a close, Samuel thanked Lord Welsford for his hospitality. Soon after, Lord Timothy saw Samuel out, and, whilst he had hoped that he would have the opportunity to say good night to Lady Lillian, she was nowhere in sight. He also did not wish to ask, as Lord Timothy would tease him relentlessly if he thought Samuel to be truly interested in his sister. He certainly did not need that from his friend.

The two gentlemen stepped outside. Stars sparkled overhead, the winter evening air was cold, and a chill ran down Samuel’s spine.

“Thank you for a very spirited and eventful evening, Colborne.”

“I am glad that you enjoyed it - apart from my mother making a scene, I thought it was rather successful,” Timothy grinned.

“Please apologize to your mother for me if I have offended her in any way.”

Lord Timothy scoffed.

“Do not mind my mother. She concerns herself with things she ought not to.”

Samuel nodded.

“Good night, Colborne.”

“Good night, Yarmouth.”

Samuel climbed into his carriage and watched Lord Timothy return to Welsford House. Right before the carriage pulled away, Samuel turned his gaze upward and noticed an illuminated window on the second floor. Lady Lillian stood by the window, her golden hair tumbling down over her shoulders, and she stared at him for a moment. A moment that seemed to last an impossible length of time, as he was taken by her beauty and the way that she gazed at him. A grin appeared on Samuel’s lips and as the carriage pulled away, his heart pounded in his chest.

Despite not having had the opportunity to bid the lovely young lady a good night, seeing her looking down at him was more than enough for Samuel.