Page 3 of Bound to the Heartless Duke (Regency Beasts #4)

“ S o, 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 he had 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.

“Your Grace?” Timothy called.

Magnus turned to look at him.

The man seemed uneasy, like he was about to say something he should not.

“What is it?”

“Begging your pardon, but… I believe you could rid yourself of some… burdens if you were to take a wife very soon.”

Magnus stared him down, summoning all the condescension he could so that the man had to avert his gaze.

“I do not have the time to take a wife, Timothy,” he grunted.

He thought that would be enough to dissuade the man from pressing the issue, but Timothy seemed determined to either be heard or killed trying.

“Oh, but everybody has the time to?—”

Magnus shot him a look that froze the words in his mouth.

Timothy immediately looked away. “Forgive me.”

Good.

That should teach him to speak on matters that didn’t concern him.

“I believe I mentioned planting more trees in the estate the last time we spoke,” Magnus said, in a bid to change the subject. “What have you done about that?”

“I have acquired some seeds to plant, Your Grace,” Timothy replied. “You only need to choose the best spots for them. I have fruit trees and shade trees that could live for two centuries and still remain standing. As for the pavilion, Your Grace, we can place that right by the oak tree where…”

But Magnus had stopped listening, and was now trying to discern who was speaking with Hastings.

As they neared the doors, it became clear that the butler was arguing with the stranger. Magnus squinted his eyes and saw that it was a woman. Judging from her clothes, she didn’t look like a peasant.

“Leave,” he ordered, cutting Timothy off. “We shall discuss this another time.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Timothy said, nodding once.

“I will send for you when I need you,” Magnus added.

“Very well, Your Grace.” Timothy sketched an exaggerated bow and turned to walk away.

Magnus shook his head at the man’s antics and quickened his steps, wanting to find out what was happening at his door. The two didn’t seem to notice his presence, as they were arguing quite loudly.

He strained his ears, trying to listen in on their argument.

“… need to see the Duke.”

“Sorry, My Lady, but His Grace isn’t receiving visitors at the moment.”

Magnus felt a stab of satisfaction, for he had instructed his butler not to let anyone in without an appointment.

The lady looked demanding, and she sounded it. From where he was standing, he couldn’t see her clearly enough to identify her.

It didn’t seem like she would give up anytime soon, and Hastings didn’t look like he would back down either.

I had better step in.

Magnus closed the gap between them and cleared his throat as loudly as he could. They both stopped talking and whirled around, as though stunned.

He vaguely heard Hastings say, “Your Grace,” as he was too busy studying the lady in front of him. She stood her ground, her chest heaving.

Magnus was not so obsessed with observing formalities all the time, but as she held his gaze, he felt something stir within him. He felt like he was being disrespected.

Why wasn’t she greeting him properly like Hastings did?

But then realization dawned on him.

Oh, right. It’s her.

He knew her. If he wasn’t mistaken, he was standing before Lady Lily, the sister of the Earl of Medlin, friend to his beloved little sister Cecilia, and undoubtedly the most troublesome woman he had ever met in his life.

He hadn’t seen her in so many years, but she hadn’t changed much.

Her eyes were still blue and bright, and her hair had turned a deeper shade of blonde, dredging up memories of her much younger self.

The freckles that once spotted her cheeks had faded but he spotted the little dots across the bridge of her nose that would have gone unnoticed if he hadnt been searching for them.

She was as beautiful as he remembered and the fact he noticed that set a pit of unease in his stomach.

Her presence in his home made him even more uneasy.

She had only visited in the past to see his sister but now that Cecilia was wed and away on her honeymoon, the girl had no reason to visist his estate and unchaperoned as well.

What does she want? He couldn’t help but wonder. Is she trying to cause a scandal?

It wasn’t as though she was unaware of the fact that it was improper to visit him unaccompanied. He frowned as disapproval filled him.

He lifted his chin and tucked his left arm behind his tailcoat.

“I hear that you were asking for me, My Lady,” he said in an authoritative tone.

“I told her that you were out, Your Grace, but she wouldn’t listen,” Hastings interjected.

Magnus shot him a sharp, quelling look and turned back to Lady Lily, waiting for her response.

“I would like to discuss something with you, Your Grace. If you may,” she said softly, lowering her gaze. “It is of high importance, as a lot is at stake.”

Magnus barely held back a frown and gave Hastings a questioning look.

What could this be about?

Eventually, he nodded. “Very well, then. We can speak in my study.”

Without another word, he walked into the house, not even pausing to see if Lady Lily was following behind.

He stopped to order a servant to bring tea for two and crossed the hall to his study. Lady Lily appeared at the door just as he sat in the chair behind his desk. He motioned for her to sit in the chair across from him, and she did without a word.

“Please excuse my butler’s behavior, My Lady,” he began. “I told him not to admit anyone without an appointment. How may I help you?”

Lady Lily opened her mouth to respond, right as a maid walked in with a tray bearing a teapot and two teacups. She gently placed the tray on the table, poured the tea, and placed a teacup before each of them.

Magnus studied Lady Lily’s countenance all the while; her teeth had yet to stop worrying her bottom lip and the rigid way she held her self betrayed exacatly what she was feeling. He could tell she was nervous and didn’t know whether to be proud or disturbed by that fact..

The maid finally left and closed the door behind her.

As soon as they were alone again, Lady Lily took a deep breath, as though to brace herself.

“I have come to talk about my brother’s foolishness, Your Grace,” she said.

Now, that’s new.

“Your brother’s foolishness, My Lady?” Magnus asked, genuinely confused. “I’m afraid I’m a little lost here.”

“Yes. I am Lily Starks, and my brother is Nathan Starks, the Earl of Medlin. I understand that he had a… unique encounter with Your Grace last night, at a place he shouldn’t have been, that had led to him losing an important property.”

If he were being honest, Magnus had no intention of seizing the house, since he had no use for it, but he did love teaching reckless gamblers lessons they would never forget. Hopefully, Lord Medlin had learned his lesson and wouldn’t show up at the gaming hell again.

And how irresponsible can a man be to send his sister to clean up his mess? And he is an earl, for that matter! What a disgrace to noblemen!

He lifted his teacup to his lips and took a small sip.

“I still don’t understand what this is about,” he said, feigning ignorance.

He was quite upset that such a dignified lady was doing this for her brother.

Lady Lily glanced at him before lowering her head. “Well, last night my brother told me that he bet our house and lost it to you. It is our home, and… we really cannot lose it,” she said, her voice thick with despair. “There is nowhere else we can go. So, I have come to negotiate.”

Negotiate?

Magnus nodded slowly, as though just understanding the situation.

“So, what do you have for me?” he asked, leaning back in his seat. “And why are you the one trying to solve this mess? I do not believe it noble your brother leaving you to do this.”

He watched as her cheeks reddened.

Her lips quivered for a moment before she slowly shook her head.

“Honestly, I do not have anything as of now, but… I just need to find someone to marry, and I could… Perhaps I could use the money to pay you in place of the house and?—”

“And how exactly do you intend to do that?”

It was a valid question, since she was a spinster. It might be hard to find a match through the matchmaker, and if she did, it wouldn’t be quite the same.

In her situation, she was like candlelight in the dark, attracting predators. In fact, Magnus knew a lot of men who would not hesitate to take advantage of her desperation.

“Well, I have a few things in mind, Your Grace. There is the matchmaker, for one. She could set me up with someone. And… I think I have a couple of leads. Before my father passed away, I had the opportunity to debut, and I had a number of offers.” She swallowed.

“I know it won’t be the same now, but I’m willing to try.

I will find a husband, and I will pay off my brother’s debt.

I just need the time to figure everything out. ”

Magnus bit the inside of his cheek. “And what if you are unable to find someone quickly enough?”

Her eyes shot up at the question, and he wondered if it had struck a nerve.

“I will,” she said simply, her lips barely moving. “I will find someone.”

He leaned forward in his chair, fighting back an amused smile. “But if you don’t?”

She didn’t reply.

It wasn’t easy for him to tell if she was considering her answer, or if she just didn’t know what to say.

No need to draw it out, then.

“When will you start? Your search for a match, that is.”

“As soon as possible, Your Grace. I just need you to give me a chance.”

“And how much time do you need?”

“I’m not sure.” she murmured, blushing.

“I do not think you understand the gravity of this… situation. Your brother lost a bet to me, and, to be honest, I have every right to the house—even more than you do, Lady Lily,” he told her with a straight face.

“I know. I know how bad it is, but I know we can resolve this issue with your help, Your Grace,” she pleaded.

He held back a smirk.

“I still have my doubts, My Lady.” He pushed himself up from his seat and rounded his desk. “I just don’t think this is as easy a task as you think it is. Now, the matchmaker might not be very hard to deal with, but what about the potential matches? Will they want you?”

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.”