@Cynic : Legit businessmen wouldn't attack someone who is not the debtor. That guy is likely some form of loan shark, and full of pride (he just looks vain).
Dumb ones as well since he ordered them to attack someone who is obviously connected to a noble, and likely a valued retainer since knights were not cannon fodder, without making sure whoever is backing him is more powerful (as if a major war just ended, knight connected to anyone could be taking a break on the other side of the country, especially if they had sent their families away from the from to keep them safe). It is not the exact case here, though I think the Duke would kick up a fuss if anything happened to her, but something he should be wary of.
Though I think she would be best is just taking lil-bro and leaving town, unless there are some technicalities she can abuse to make their lives hell, like (I dream but highly doubt) a stipulation on the money she sent that holds the Duke's authority, since it came form him and his house, that limits how it could be used