Page 20 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
He had wanted to avoid that.
“Y-Your Grace,” she sputtered, bobbing a little curtsy.
Magnus waved a hand, indicating that she shouldn’t bother.
“What are you doing out here, My Lady?” he asked, stepping closer to her until they were only a few steps apart.
Lily’s eyes darted away, as if she did not want him to read her thoughts. “I just… needed to clear my mind, I suppose. I-I had nothing to do, so…”
He studied her for a moment.
“You have something on your mind,” he said matter-of-factly.
She glanced at him briefly, before nodding reluctantly. “Yes, Your Grace. I do have something on my mind.”
He took a deep breath and lifted his chin, affecting an authoritative tone. “Would you care to tell me what it is about?”
She hesitated, as if wondering where she should start. “Everything, Your Grace. Mostly about… finding a suitable husband and… paying off our debts. It has me worried.”
Magnus looked around and found that they were alone. “I see. What are your worries exactly?”
Lily looked up at him, her eyes flashing with unshakable determination. “They do not matter, Your Grace. I will find a husband, and I will pay off our debt, no matter the circumstances. You can be sure of it.”
Magnus held back a smile of amusement.
She was so fixated on this issue, and he knew well enough that no hint of skepticism could shake her.
But he could imagine how hard it must be for her. Seeing her age and beauty, men would be more prone to seek something other than marriage. They would expect to gain power or influence, if not money, by marrying her. However, her family’s reputation wasn’t stellar, courtesy of her brother.
Magnus highly doubted she would find a suitable husband easily and on time. But he couldn’t tell her that. If there was anyone he wanted to keep taunting, it was the Earl himself. His sister was going through such hardship all because of him, and Magnus wished he could help her.
He cleared his throat. “Perhaps,” he suggested, looking away from her, “you could attend some social gatherings. I do not know how much it could do, but you never know who you might meet there.”
Her face lit up with interest, much to his satisfaction.
“Do you think so, Your Grace?” she asked.
He nodded slowly, feeling proud. “Yes. The Worthingtons are hosting a ball at their estate this weekend. I would be… glad to accompany you there, if you’d like.”
She seemed to debate the idea in her head and his face fell wondering if she would let her bruised pride keep her from entertaining such a good idea.
She gave a small smile that warmed his heart instantly, then lowered her head. “That would be most kind of you, Your Grace. Thank you.”
He let a smile curve his lips, but only for a fleeting second before he cleared his throat. “It’s nothing.”
Why does seeing her happy make me happy? And why do I want more of that?
He watched as the sunlight hit her hair, highlighting its warm tones. Standing right before him, she looked like a goddess—if gods and goddesses existed. He wanted to touch her, but under the circumstances, it would seem inappropriate.
He took a deep breath and turned his gaze to the fountain.
For a while, there was only the soft splashing of the water and the cool breeze blowing through the tall trees around them. But then he noticed she was wringing her hands and shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
He immediately guessed she was tired of standing and needed to sit down. She must want to go back to the house.
“We should return,” he suggested.
If it wasn’t what she wanted, she could decline anyway.
