Page 9 of Bound to the Heartless Duke
She looked up, and their eyes met for a fleeting second. Her cheeks flushed a deeper red.
Did he say too much?
He leaned back against his desk and watched her intently, waiting for her to say something. Her fingers were laced tightly in her lap, as if she was dreading what was coming.
“They will,” she finally said, though she didn’t sound sure of herself. “I just need enough time to figure it out. I don’t know how much time it will take. It could be a week, a month, half a year, but we cannot lose that house, and I am willing to do anything to keep it. I just—” She broke off and heaved a sigh.
Magnus leaned forward slightly, staring down at her. “Are you sure about that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lady Lily held his gaze for a moment before looking away. She gulped, then quietly stood up.
“I see that you do not fully understand my plight, Your Grace,” she said, lowering her hands to her sides. “I will not press the issue; I am fully aware that you are well within your rights to refuse my request. Now, I shall take my leave, as this is a lost cause?—”
“One month,” Magnus cut in, and her eyes widened. “I will give you one month to find someone and marry, and pay off your brother’s debt. Will that be enough?”
She opened her mouth and closed it, as though stunned.
Is she overjoyed or what? Or is a month not enough?
Magnus leaned in closer until their faces were only inches apart, such that their lips might meet at the slightest movement.
She seemed to be holding her breath, as he could not feel it against his face.
Is she scared?
This close, he could smell her sweet floral scent. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with it. She reminded him of a garden in spring. His mind drifted to the garden that would soon be planted beneath his window.
That would definitely be a good idea.
“Will a month be enough, My Lady?” he asked again, slowly, whispering this time.
Lady Lily took a step back, then another, putting much-needed distance between them. Then, she took a deep breath and released it through her nose.
“Yes, Your Grace,” she answered, looking down at the floor, as if hiding her face so he couldn’t tell whether she was grateful or disappointed. “I really appreciate your generosity. I promise that I will repay you in full.”
“I do have a condition, though,” Magnus said, before tucking his hands behind his back and turning to pace the room.
He didn’t want to see the look of disappointment on her face as he said that, if there was one.
“Just one condition.”
“Right.” She did sound a little disappointed. “Whatever it is, Your Grace, I shall do it.”
Magnus spun back to look at her, quite impressed.
What a remarkably determined woman!
. Magnus nodded, stroking his chin.
He went back to the desk and sat down. “Are you not curious to know what my condition is, My Lady? What if it’s something you cannot agree to?”
Lady Lily took some time to answer, as though she were trying to decide if she could keep her end of the bargain.
“Whatever you want, Your Grace,” she breathed.
Magnus leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. “Great. Then I shall tell you my condition right away.”
CHAPTER 3
