Page 43 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
Talk about his gall.
“I don’t have the luxury of time,” she snapped, her eyes flashing. “Or choice. I need security, not… not sparks.”
His gaze darkened, before he took a step closer. “So you’ll marry a man who recites Latin to the furniture?”
“If he’s willing to marry me in return, yes.” Her tone was stubborn.
He paused, his jaw working. “You deserve more.”
The words landed harder than they should have. She felt them settle into the deepest recesses behind her ribs, where hope used to live.
She blinked, caught off guard. However, she quickly looked away, just in time to see Nathan sweep into the room, his arms raised as if he had just returned victorious from battle.
“Well?” He beamed. “What did I say?”
Lily blinked again. “About what?” she asked.
Her gut clenched; she wasn’t looking forward to his response.
Her brother clapped his hands together. “About Mr. Bailey! The man’s a success, Lily. He has connections in Kent. His family owns half the docks in Southampton. That ridiculous outfit? Apparently, a fashion trend from Milan.”
“He’s… memorable,” Lily offered.
The fact that Magnus was standing nearby made it worse.
“He’s perfect, Lily,” Nathan declared. “And he likes you. I could see it in the way he leaned forward every time you spoke.”
“He leaned forward because his cravat was too tight,” Magnus interjected.
Nathan paused briefly, before returning his attention to his sister. “I told you I could handle it, didn’t I?”
“You did,” Lily mumbled, lowering her gaze.
Nathan began to pace, excitement radiating off him like heat. “I told you I still had a few tricks. And now, look. A respectable suitor who is genuinely interested. And this is only the beginning.”
Something about his tone made Lily take a closer look at him. He was too excited, too wide-eyed. There was something about the way he moved that… disturbed her.
“Nathan,” she asked slowly, “are you all right?”
He paused only briefly before he waved her off. “Perfectly. Just… relieved. After everything—after Father’s death, after losing the manor to the Duke—something’s finally turning in our favor.”
Lily exchanged a look with Magnus, who had straightened to his full height, no longer amused. It seemed that Magnus, too, felt something was off.
Nathan clapped his hands again. “I’ll arrange for Mr. Bailey to return next week. Or sooner. You two had great chemistry. It was clear as day.”
Lily opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. What could she say? That the only chemistry she’d felt in the room wasn’t with Mr. Bailey, but the man currently watching her like she was one step away from collapsing?
She cleared her throat. “Yes. That sounds… fine.”
Nathan looked beyond thrilled at her acceptance.
“Good,” he said, already moving toward the study. “Now, I need to write to Lady Huntington. If Mr. Bailey’s mother ishalf as gossipy as I’ve heard, this could snowball into several invitations. Imagine a full Season without leaving Medlin.”
And then, he disappeared down the hall, leaving the two of them alone.
Lily stood still, staring at the now-closed door. “He’s unraveling,” she murmured.
Magnus nodded once. “He thinks if you marry well, it will fix everything he’s done.”
