Page 56 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
They turned around to see Nathan striding towards them, his smile wide but a touch manic.
“Mr. Bailey, just the man I wanted to see,” he said, clapping Mr. Bailey on the shoulder with his usual enthusiasm. “Lily and I were just discussing your promising future together.”
Mr. Bailey beamed, clearly pleased by his approval.
“How about you join us for dinner?” Nathan suggested.
“Well, I would be glad. I also have something to share with Lady Lily after that.”
Lily glanced at Mr. Bailey but refused to say anything. She simply forced a smile, despite the unease in her chest. “I’m sure it’s good news.”
Then, she looked away, her heart pounding, not from excitement but from the heavy weight of expectation pressing down on her.
As Nathan and Mr. Bailey resumed their talk about business and social standing, her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She couldn’t help but wonder if this news would make things worse than they already were.
And as she glanced toward Medlin Manor, she knew there was only one other man who made her question everything—Magnus.
The flickering candlelight threw shadows across the dining room reflecting Lily’s mood despite the good meal. The dinner had been exquisite yet she couldn’t bring herself to fully savor it but while she was in dodur spirits, Nathan seemed to be in a rather good mood and had commented about Magnus missing out on a savory treat.
However, Lily knew the exact reason why Magnus didn’t show up.
She sat stiffly in her chair, the silk of her gown suddenly feeling heavy and suffocating. Ronald Bailey sat beside her, his posture relaxed, a smug smile playing on his lips as if he owned not only the room but her very presence.
“Lady Lily,” he said, his voice low and smooth—almost too smooth. “You have no idea how fortunate you are.”
Lily’s hands clenched in her lap.
Here we go again.
“Fortunate? I suppose I have a different understanding of the word.”
Mr. Bailey’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a predatory confidence.
“Oh, come now. Surely you can see the benefits. We have already talked about that. Wealth, security, status. All wrapped up in one neat little package—me.”
Lily swallowed hard, fighting the urge to rise and put distance between them. But she knew better. This was not a man to challenge outright.
He leaned closer, just enough to make the air between them thicken, but not so close as to be brazen.
“I promise, Lily,” he murmured, “I only want what’s best for you. For us.”
She forced a tight smile, but her eyes betrayed her disgust. “I appreciate your intentions, Mr. Bailey, but I must confess I prefer to choose my own path.”
His smile faltered, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes before it was carefully masked.
“Your path?” he echoed softly. “Isn’t that what I am offering? A clear path out of uncertainty and debt?”
Lily’s jaw tightened. “Debt is a complicated thing, Mr. Bailey. It cannot always be paid off with money.”
Mr. Bailey leaned back in, his voice dropping to a whisper.“Sometimes, Lady Lily, it is paid with… compromise.”
She met his gaze, unable to hide her disdain this time. “Then I will have to be a poor debtor.”
Mr. Bailey’s smile turned cold, but then he shrugged, as if willing to play a longer game. “Very well. But do remember, my offer remains.”
He stood up abruptly, clearly annoyed, though he was trying his best to hide it as the flickering candlelight accentuated the sharp angles of his face.
