Page 15 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
The Duke took another sip of tea before setting his cup on the table and rising from his seat.
“Take your time,” he said, then walked out of the breakfast room.
As soon as the Duke was out, Nathan heaved a breath, as though he had been holding it in. Lily fixed him with a look that said he had her to thank for that.
Nathan glanced at the door, making sure no one was there, then turned to her.
“I do not like him,” he whispered. “What does he even want from us?”
Lily held back a chuckle. “Look who finally found his voice,” she teased.
Nathan placed his fist on the table. “You had better not be plotting to disgrace me, or I will make you pay—you be sure of that!”
Lily waved a dismissive hand and glanced at the chair the Duke had vacated. The cushion was old and almost tattered, but he hadn’t complained about it when he sat down. Staring at it now, she couldn’t help but mull over Nathan’s question.
What did the Duke want from them?
But then Nathan had only asked that because he didn’t like the Duke. And he didn’t state the reason for that either. After all, he was the one who went to a gaming hell and lost their house in a bet. She wouldn’t expect him to like the Duke, of course, but he was the only one who could help them out of the mess they were in.
Lily downed her tea and stood up. “I’m going to take the Duke to Father’s study,” she announced.
“Where am I supposed to work if he’s taking it over?” Nathan grumbled.
He had finally started to eat. He must have gotten his appetite back now that the Duke was gone.
Lily held back a smile at that thought.
“I wasn’t aware that you did any work,” she scoffed, before turning to leave, resisting the urge to see his reaction.
Magnus did not like to admit it, but he found it quite amusing that his sheer presence intimidated the Earl of Medlin.
Nathan had been bold and pompous at the gaming hell a few nights ago, but the man Magnus saw at the manor was a scared little boy who was new to adulthood.
It only took him a day to observe and learn their daily routine by heart. Lady Lily did some housework and often embroidered with the maid, while Nathan spent most of his day out of the manor. He was hardly around for dinner, and he ate very little at every breakfast. When he was around, Magnus enjoyed making things difficult for him, even though he didn’t plan it.
One day, Magnus was standing in the bare main hall, looking up at the family portraits, when Nathan walked in. He stopped short when he saw Magnus, and their eyes met. Then, he proceeded to dip his head in a slight bow.
“Your Grace,” he muttered.
Magnus called him back when he turned to leave.
“I am thinking of hosting a ball at my estate very soon. Would you like to attend?” he asked, secretly relishing the confused look on his face.
Nathan swallowed. “I… uh… I am not so sure, Your Grace.”
“Oh, come on now. I’m quite certain that you would be the life of the party.” Magnus smirked as his discomfort showed beneath the bravado.
The man’s shifty eyes darting to and from the door he had just emerged from betrayed his desire to escape any further interactions with Magnus as he usally did and the rigid way he held himself as though preparing for an attack betrayed him.
“Well, in that case, I would be honored, Your… Your Grace,” Nathan stammered.
“The main hall at Blackmore is being renovated as we speak. As soon as it is ready, I shall send out invitations,” Magnus said, turning back to observe the portraits.
“Right…” Nathan muttered.
Magnus almost didn’t hear him.
“Ah, now that I remember—you weren’t in for dinner last night.” He turned around slowly and pinned him with a look. “Where were you?”
