Page 5 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
“You always have my back or take the blame for my actions.”
She tilted her head and scoffed at him. “I am not taking the blame for your careless actions, Nathan. They are yours. But both of us will suffer the consequences. And this is not about me having your back, either. It is about being able to have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies, no matter what it takes. So, whatever happens, I hope you learn to never gamble again.”
“I should be the one taking care of you, as your brother and the Earl. It’s my duty.”
“Unfortunately, you have failed at being the Earl and my brother.”
She felt the sharpness of her words and saw that they had hit their mark, but her brother seemed determined to sap the last of her strength because he had an answer ready without skipping a breath.
“What if I order you not to go? I could send a letter instead, and we could talk it out man-to-man,” he rambled.
She pushed down the laugh bubbling up her chest and scoffed.
“You think it’s that easy, don’t you? A letter? If that would work on the Duke of Blackmore, I would be done writing it right now, ready to be sent out. And what makes you think you can order me around?”
“You said it yourself. I’m the Earl of Medlin;Ishould handle something like this.Ishould speak to him.”
“After what you pulled last night? You are not the Earl of Medlin to him anymore; you are only an inexperienced gambler who just lost a whole house while trying to win some money. That is who the Duke is going to see.” She moved to sit down.
“I just wish I could do something,” he mumbled, looking crestfallen.
“Do you still not get it? If people learn how deep in debt you are, your position will be at stake. A bankrupt earl is unheard of.” She gulped and took a deep breath. “I think it’s best you let me handle this, Nathan.”
“My Lord? My Lady?” Summer’s voice broke past the tension in the room.
They both turned to the girl.
“Breakfast is ready now. Shall I begin serving?”
She nodded.They ate breakfast in silence, and when she was done, she went up to change, steeling her resolve as she prepared to face the Duke.
Even if she had spent most of her time avoiding him, cowardice was no longer an option.
CHAPTER 2
“So, how goes the renovation of the main hall, Timothy?” Magnus Wyndham, the Duke of Blackmore, asked as he and his estate manager walked slowly down the road.
He had come upon him on the way back from his gaming hell and had thought to conduct their scheduled meeting right then.
“Oh, I came across some information about an auction coming soon down in Middlesex,” Timothy replied. “I believe we could acquire wonderful furniture there, all suitable for future balls and other gatherings. There is this painting that?—”
“I will consider it,” Magnus answered, not bothering to hear more.
His estate loomed in the distance, and while he wanted to be home, he couldn’t help but dread the work awaiting him. If hehad his way, he would forgo his work and just sit by the fire with a cup of tea.
“What more do you have for me?”
“Right, Your Grace. You also mentioned your interest in a personal garden. I’ve started working on it. Do you want to have it right outside your study?”
Magnus thought about it.
A personal garden with flowers beneath his window, when immersed in work, did not seem like a bad idea.
He nodded. “That would be great. And bring me some flower seeds as soon as it is ready.”
“Very well, Your Grace,” Timothy replied, before his gaze grew distant.
As they neared the estate, Magnus spotted two people standing in front of his antique front doors. He recognized Hastings, his butler, but not the other person.
