Page 14 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
She looked into his eyes, and he stared back into hers intently.
If he wanted her to say more, she wouldn’t be able to now. Her legs felt like jelly, and she feared she would stumble and fall right into his arms.
Why is he standing so close?
His eyes twinkled, as if he enjoyed seeing her squirm, so she squared her shoulders and straightened her posture, aiming for a more confident look. His brow rose in challenge and he almost seemed to lean closer but she would be damned before she let him think she was intimidated by him. God knew she had embarassed herself enough in front of him.
His gaze remaianed unrelenting on hers as though daring her to keep up her façade and it was increasingly difficult to maintain an indifferent look on her face.She had to keep reminding herself to breathe. He was standing a little too close; it was hard not to remember how it had been in his study only two days ago when her skin had felt as though she was burning from the inside. Her body warmed again as her mouth went dry. Her lis tingled as though she had been kissed and she let her tongue run across her lips to wet them as the tingling increased when his eyes shot to them.
Lily had thought he would kiss her and had avoided that. But now, it didn’t seem all that easy to remove herself from this situation.
He stepped even closer, and she could almost feel her heart in her throat. His warm breath tickled her cheek, and she closed her eyes in anticipation, but then he moved his lips to her ear.
“Your one-month ultimatum has already started, My Lady,” he whispered, before stepping back.
Lily drew in a slow breath, not wanting him to notice how he flustered her.
Does he really enjoy doing this to me so casually?
She turned away and drew in another steadying breath, trying to slow her heartbeat.
She was vaguely aware of him as he looked out the window, her body sensitive to every move he made even if she had a minimal glimpse of him from the corner of her eye. She noticed him running his finger over the sill as if checking for specks of dust. He didn’t say anything, but wondered what expression his face took when he pulled his hand back. Her fear was confirmed when she noticed his lip curl slightly and he pulled out a kerchief to wipe his hands.
“The clock is ticking,” he murmured, as though he was talking to an entity outside the window.
Even with his back to her, she knew right then and there that it wasn’t going to be easy living in the same house with this man for a month.
CHAPTER 4
From the day the Duke had moved in with them, the atmosphere in the manor had become much more tense, especially when he was in the same room as Nathan.
During their first breakfast together, Nathan didn’t touch his food, even though it was one of his favorites; a rich tomato soup seasoned with herbs and fresh bread. He and Lily were seated on either side of the Duke, across from each other. Lily tried to get his attention by stepping on his foot under the table, but he kept looking down.
“Is the food not to your liking, Lord Medlin?” the Duke asked, breaking the awkward silence.
Nathan looked up at him, his eyes wide with surprise and fear.
“You are not eating,” the Duke remarked.
Lily noted the quiver in her brother’s lips and suppressed a smile.
“I…” Nathan trailed off, glancing at her as though asking for help. “I just… do not have an appetite, Your Grace.”
The Duke took a sip of his tea, frowning. “And why is that? I don’t suppose you are ill. Or are you?”
Nathan shook his head. “I just don’t feel like eating this morning.”
Lily could have spoken up and made it known that that was his favorite meal, but he already looked like he would fold at any moment.
She quickly thought of a way to change the subject.
She swallowed, bracing herself.
“Your Grace,” she began. “You asked me to prepare a room to use as a study during your stay.”
The Duke stared at her for what felt like eternity, his eyes boring into her own. “Hm.” He nodded. “So I did.”
“Well, I have cleared out my father’s study, since it has not been used much since he… passed away. Shall I take you there after breakfast?”
