Lily knew Duncan would say that.

She uttered with a smile, “Duncan, Mrs. Lewis wants you to go with her. I can’t replace you. I’m only the daughter of Mrs. Lewis’s friend anyway. I’m not family.

“I’m not keen on social events either, but we don’t have a choice most of the time. We have to fulfill our obligations.”

Duncan had attended plenty of business parties to talk business. Before Lewis & Co. took off, he had to attend business engagements to drum in partnerships.

Lewis and Co. was no