Is there any way I canfix what I have done?
CHAPTER 5
“James, have you reviewed the latest reports from the estate?” Alistair asked, his voice steady and commanding as he leaned over the polished mahogany desk, his fingers tracing the edges of a meticulously organized stack of papers.
“Yes, Your Grace. The harvest this year has exceeded projections by nearly twenty percent,” The Holloway estate’s butler replied, his tone respectful but tinged with admiration. He adjusted his spectacles, glancing at Alistair, who nodded again before immersing himsel in the figures before him.
“Excellent. Ensure that the surplus is allocated to our market partners immediately. We cannot afford to lose momentum.” Alistair straightened. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and he propped a finger under his chin as he contemplated.
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll arrange the contracts,” James replied, jotting down notes with a practiced hand.
“Also, I want to discuss the renovations for the south wing. We cannot let the project stall. Have the builders submit their revised plans by the end of the week,” Alistair continued, his gaze piercing as he focused on his butler.
“Of course, Your Grace. I’ll ensure they prioritize it. ”
The duke leaned back in his chair, a momentary flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. “Good. Our business is flourishing, and I intend to keep it that way. My duty is not just to the family but to my people. They deserve stability and prosperity.”
James nodded. “Your Grace, your vision is inspiring. The estate has never been in better shape .”
“Then let’s ensure it remains that way,” Alistair replied, a slight smile breaking through his stern facade.
As the door clicked shut behind the butler at last, the duke leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of solitude settle in. The quiet of the study enveloped him, but his thoughts were anything but tranquil.
They instantly drifted to Her.
Cecilia, the lady who had intruded upon his carefully structured life. He had been in a foul mood when they first met, burdened by the pressures of his duties. He had been attempting to escapea very desperate mama from the ball after leaving her and her daughter conversing with his sister.
He had been exasperated, for many reasons. And then came the wild woman, her presence igniting something within him, something he hadn’t anticipated.
Cecilia was striking in her own right—slender and of medium height, with luscious dark brown hair that framed her face beautifully. Her green eyes sparkled with a fierce intelligence that both intrigued and unsettled him.
The more she stumbled over her words and irritated him, the more he could not stop himself from taking in her features. While she blathered on, he noticed the flush on her cheeks and slight freckles on her exposed neckline in the cold. That mole on her upper lip? It was a small detail, yet it made her all the more captivating.
Despite his annoyance, he found himself wanting to tower over her, enjoying the flush of her skin and startled expression in her eyes. Alistair found himself now recalling the unexpected kiss she had planted on him, a bold move that had rendered him momentarily speechless. It was as though she had wanted to silence him, to take control of the moment. But why a kiss? It was a question that lingered in his mind, refusing to fade. She was nothing like he’d ever experienced before.
That night , he had acted out of character, allowing his frustration to seep into conversation. He remembered how he had stressed his words, almost pettily, in an attempt to provokea reaction from her. And react she did—her fiery expression had been nothing short of entertaining.
Alistair’s heart raced at the memory of her defiance. He had never been one to revel in confrontation, yet with her, it was different. Beneath the layers of his strict exterior, he felt a stirring of emotions he had long since buried under the weight of his responsibilities. The dance of wills that left him both exhilarated and confused.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts that swirled around him. He sighed, acknowledging the complexity of his emotions. He was a duke, bound by duty, yet here he was, contemplating a lady who had managed to slip past his defenses.
How improper it was that he had let himself get manhandled into a kiss with a stranger like that. And how so much worse was the fact that he actually enjoyed recalling the whole ordeal.
A knock from the door drew the duke from the chaos in his mind at last. He raised a brow as a frown filled his face.
“Who is it?” he called out, his voice thick with irritation as the second knock shattered the silence once again.
“Dinner is served, my lord. Your mother and sister are waiting in the dining room,” came the calm reply from his butler.
Dinner?
Alistair blinked, startled by the realization that time had slipped away from him.
“Already?” he muttered, pushing himself away from the desk. He had been so absorbed in thoughts of Lady Cecilia that an hour had melted into another. Surprise and worry flared momentarily within him.
He took a deep breath, attempting to shake off the lingering thoughts of her. “Very well, I shall be down shortly,” he replied, his mind racing. He straightened his coat as he threw it on, running a hand through his hair in a futile attempt to tame the chaos of his thoughts.
As he descended the staircase, the familiar sounds of the dining room reached him—soft laughter, the clinking of cutlery, and the gentle murmur of conversation. Alistair paused at the doorway, gathering himself.
