Page 34 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
At that moment, surrounded by friends and laughter, Lily felt the faintest flicker of hope.
CHAPTER 9
“You’re home late.”
The voice rang out before Lily could even cross the threshold. It started her into a clumsy halt, almost tripping as the hem of her skirt caught on the door.
She turned her head and spotted the shadowed figure, immediately recognizing who it was.
“Your Grace,” she greeted, her voice breathy with shock. “I didn’t think you would be home.”
“Why?” Magnus emerged from the shadows with a lazy smirk and leaned against the wall. “I live here now, remember?”
Her heart flipped at the reminder, and a flush crept up her neck.
Of course, she remembered. She remembered his domineering presence all too well.
“I can’t forget,” she said softly, meaning every word.
She took a moment to adjust her skirt and straighten her posture, noticing his state of undress. He had discarded his coat and rolled his shirt sleeves just past his elbows exposing forearms with a light dusting of hair that made her mouth go dry. She tugged at her skirts again, needing to do something to distract herself from the sight of him.
Magnus’s gaze sharpened slightly at that, but he didn’t press her on it. He pushed off the wall and stepped toward her, dangerous in the dim lighting and in the predatory way he strided towards her. The room which had been pleasantly warmed by the fire in the grate felt too heated now as her blood rushed to her face and neck.
At that moment, he looked disarmingly casual yet at ease in a way that unsettled her. As if this were his drawing room. As if this were his house.
Which, of course, it was.
“Where did you go?” he asked, his tone deceptively mild. “I was surprised when Summer informed me you weren’t home. I assumed you were in your chambers, sketching your next escape plan.”
“I was visiting the Gillingham sisters,” Lily replied sharply, even though she knew she did not owe him an explanation. “Ava and Eveline.”
She smoothed the edge of her gloves and lowered her hands to her sides.
“It’s been a while since I last saw them.”
“And did you enjoy your visit?” Magnus asked, stepping a fraction closer.
It was not enough to be improper, but just enough to make her back stiffen.
She nodded. “I did. I didn’t realize I missed them so terribly.”
The way her voice softened on the last words made his brow crease for the briefest moment.
“And what did you talk about?”
Lily blinked. “Is this an interrogation, Your Grace?”
Why was he suddenly so interested in her life?
She frowned and his smile widened. She wondered what about her reaction was amusing to him.
“Only if you have something to hide.”
Lily narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no heat in them. “Nothing that concerns you.”
“Oh, but everything concerns me now, does it not?” he murmured. “Given that I’m the villain in your family saga.”
“I never called you a villain.”
