Page 21 of Bound to the Heartless Duke (Regency Beasts #4)

T he sun had sunk low, casting a warm, golden glow over the gardens of Medlin Manor. The sweet scent of roses and freshly cut grass mingled in the gentle breeze as Lily walked alongside Ronald Bailey, the pompous merchant her brother had been pushing at her relentlessly.

She kept her gaze fixed ahead, careful to hide her skepticism and disinterest. However, Mr. Bailey didn’t notice her wariness, simply puffing up his chest with the kind of confidence only a man convinced of his grandeur could muster.

“I say, Lady Lily,” he began, adjusting the lace cuffs of his shirt. “It truly is a pleasure to spend more time with you. I trust my previous visits were satisfactory?”

Lily blinked, caught off guard by his formal tone, and forced a polite smile. “They have, Mr. Bailey. Thank you.”

His grin widened, his teeth gleaming like polished ivory. “Excellent, excellent. I find that one must always strive to make a good impression. One never knows when the tides of fortune will turn.”

Lily glanced sideways at him, curious despite herself. “And you think the tides have turned in your favor?”

“Indeed! With your family’s esteemed name, and your undeniable grace…” Mr. Bailey paused, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. “It is a partnership destined for prosperity.”

Lily bit back a sigh and looked away. “Prosperity is a fine thing. But I confess, I am not sure what kind of partnership you’re seeking.”

Her words made him straighten up, before he puffed up his chest again.

“Ah, but that’s precisely the point, dear Lily. I seek to marry into the aristocracy. Your family’s standing, your connections, would elevate me.”

Suddenly, he stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression serious but hopeful.

She studied him for a moment. “And do you truly think I would make a willing participant in such an arrangement?”

His eyes flickered with a touch of hurt, but he quickly masked it. “Lady Lily, I am a man of business. I understand the practicalities of life. Marriages are alliances, and alliances are made for mutual benefit.”

She folded her arms. “Mutual benefit, yes. But surely there must be something more than that? Some measure of affection? Or at least respect?” she added, hoping he wasn’t as useless as Magnus pegged him to be.

He let out a laugh—a short, sharp sound. “Affection is a luxury of youth and foolishness. Respect, however, is earned. And I intend to earn yours.”

They resumed walking, the tension between them heightened by the ensuing silence. Until Mr. Bailey decided to speak again, as though wanting to break the tension.

“I must confess, Lady Lily, your beauty is not lost on me. You are far from hard on the eyes.”

Lily turned sharply to face him, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. “I see. So, my looks are part of the appeal, then?”

“Only in part,” he assured her quickly. “Your intellect and wit also appeal to me.”

She laughed, the sound light but laced with irony. “You flatter me, Mr. Bailey.”

“Only the truth, I assure you.” He winked.

She glanced around the garden, and her smile faded. Magnus’s words came to her again, dimming her mood.

So she tried again, wanting to know her suitor’s expectations of marriage before she made a final decision.

“Tell me, Mr Bailey, what is it that you truly desire in marriage?”

He hesitated, then said quietly, “Security. Power. A future that doesn’t depend solely on the whims of trade or market crashes. And… companionship, I suppose. Though that is harder to find than most would admit.”

Lily’s expression softened, just a fraction.

“You speak honestly,” she said. “I wish more men did.”

His gaze lingered on her, almost too intently, before he spoke again. “But Lady Lily, there is one thing I must be frank about.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“I do hope I am the only man wishing to marry you,” he stated in a somber tone.

Her brow creased. What had driven him to say that?

“Why do you say that all of a sudden?”

Mr. Bailey exhaled. “The Duke.”

“The Duke?” Lily whispered.

“I saw the way he looked at you,” he admitted.

Lily froze, unsure of what to do or say.

This was the moment she was supposed to deny his claim, but she couldn’t.

She let out a small, humorless laugh. “You must have misunderstood, Mr. Bailey. His Grace sees me as… a younger sister. A friend to his sister, nothing more.” She cleared her throat.

Mr. Bailey smiled. “Very well then, dear Lily,” he said. “I will take your word for it.”

Lily fell into silence, biting the inside of her cheek.

Just then, a voice rang out from behind them.

“Lily! There you both are!”

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.

“I told you I had something to tell you, Lady Lily,” he said, his tone neutral. “I will be leaving for a business trip to Italy. Important negotiations, you understand. But I will return once the Season ends. You will see me at the assemblies, and we will discuss my offer again.”

Lily nodded once, her expression polite but distant. She hadn’t heard most of what he had said. However, she still managed a smile.

“Safe travels, Mr. Bailey.”

“Thank you, dear Lily.”

As Mr. Bailey turned to leave, he made sure that his hand brushed against hers. The touch sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine.

And yet she didn’t flinch, didn’t reveal her irritation.

Once the door closed behind him with a soft click, she exhaled deeply, her body still trembling slightly from the torture she’d just endured. She was not sure whether it was relief or frustration that coursed through her veins.

“That wasn’t very pleasant of you sister.” Nathan commented.

“I didn’t hope for it to be.” She answered.

“He all but proposed to you already, Lily. Why do you delay?” Nathan asked, letting his frustration show. “I thought you wanted this mess to be sorted out quickly.”

“I do but I will not sell myself to the first person that comes offering just because.” She answered. “I do not expect you to understand my reasons but I ask you to leave me to make my choice in the matter.”

“I am only trying to end things quickly sister and Ronald is a better match than you could hope for.”

Lily had a sharp reply on her tongue but swallowed it down. There was no need for her to trade words with Nathan and frankly she wasn’t in any frame of mind to do so.

Gathering herself, she rose and made her way quietly to her chambers.

As she approached the landing, a shadow detached itself from the dim corridor.

Magnus.

He stood there, his figure framed by the waning light, his eyes dark and unreadable as they locked onto hers.

Neither of them spoke. However, as usual, the silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating.

His gaze was intense, filled with questions and jealousy, and perhaps something else. Something raw. But he said nothing.

Lily felt her pulse quicken, heat rising to her cheeks as it usually did when she was in his preence. She held his eyes steadily, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her discomfort.

After a long moment, she turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps echoing softly down the hall.

Magnus lingered behind, watching, waiting, but saying nothing.