Evie looked between them, her expression mixed with gratitude and concern. “Thank you for giving us a moment. I shall join you soon,” she said, her voice softening.
Nathaniel nodded, his gaze lingering on his sister. “Indeed. Thank you, Cece,” he echoed, his words carrying a weight that made her stomach twist.
As they walked away, Cecilia watched them disappear down the hallway, their figures slowly fading into the shadows. With a deep breath, she turned back to her path, the echo of her footsteps filling the silence as she ventured deeper down the hallways.
As she walked, her thoughts were once again consumed by the events of dinner that evening. Each flickering flame cast dancingshadows on the walls, but her mind remained fixated on the duke.
The way he had held her gaze, those burning eyes piercing through the atmosphere, sent an electric thrill coursing through her veins till that moment. His voice, rich and commanding, had resonated with an authority that both captivated and unnerved her, leaving her breathless in its wake.
She replayed their conversation in her mind, the boldness she had summoned to speak back to him still reverberating within her. It had felt exhilarating in the moment, a surge of defiance against his imposing presence.
However, now that the encounter was behind her, a heavy fatigue settled over her like a thick blanket. Each breath she took felt labored as she recalled the intensity of his stare, the way it seemed to strip away her defenses and lay her bare.
After dinner, in an effort to lighten the mood, Evie had suggested the visit to the library, a place Cecilia had already expressed interest in exploring. It was clear desperate attempt to redirect their thoughts away from the tension that had filled the dining room.
“Let’s go after dinner,” Evie had insisted with a warm smile, her voice bright and hopeful, a stark contrast to the heaviness that lingered in Cecilia’s chest.
Cecilia had agreed somewhat halfheartedly. Yet, now she found herself growing excited at the thought of viewing at last, the expansive reading room Evie had promised.
Cecilia finally arrived at the library door, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she recalled Evie's directions. As she pushed the heavy oak door open, a soft gasp escaped her lips.
It was a breathtaking scenery, bathed in the warm glow of enclosed candle light that filtered through tall, arched wall posts. Rich mahogany shelves lined the walls, filled to the brim with leather-bound volumes, their spines embossed with intricate gold lettering.
In the center of the room stood a grand wooden table, its surface scattered with open books and a few delicate quills. Plush, deep green armchairs were strategically placed near the fireplace, where embers glowed softly, casting flickering shadows that danced across the walls.
Cecilia felt a wave of calm wash over her as she stepped further inside, the scent of aged paper and polished wood enveloping her, her fingers instinctively reaching out to trace the spines of the books.
Evangeline was certainly right.
She chuckled to herself as she selected a volume that caught her eye, and opened it gently, eager to lose herself in its pages. The words seemed to swirl in her mind, promising escape. Cecilia had always loved books of all kinds.
Just as she began to immerse herself in the text, the door creaked open behind her, interrupting her reverie.
“Evie?” Her head snapped up, and her heart raced as she turned to face the figure standing in the doorway.
Time seemed to freeze as she locked eyes with the person who had just entered. The familiar silhouette sent a jolt of recognition through her, and for a moment, her breath caught in her throat.
“What are you doing here?” The duke’s voice sliced through the silence of the library, sharp and demanding. His gaze bore into Cecilia, surprise morphing into a predatory glint that sent a shiver down her spine.
Caught off guard, Cecilia felt heat rush to her cheeks, a flush of embarrassment and anxiety. Words eluded her, and she struggled to form a coherent response. Alistair stepped further into the room and into the light, his tall frame imposing against the backdrop of the elegant library.
“What are you doing in my library, Miss Everton?” he pressed, his tone now laced with irritation, a hint of malice threading through his words.
Cecilia frowned, a spark of defiance igniting within her. “Evie invited me to see the library, I told her of my love for books,” she finally managed, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart.
Alistair raised a skeptical brow, his lips curling into a slight smirk that did nothing to ease her tension. “And where is Evangeline now?”
His question hung in the air, heavy with implication, and Cecilia felt a wave of panic wash over her. She clenched her fists at her sides, trying to maintain her composure.
“Perhaps I’m mistaken, but it seems you’re dangling on implying something rather… indicting, Your Grace. What are you trying to say?” she shot back, challenging him with her gaze, even as her heart thudded loudly in her chest.
Alistair took a step closer, the air thickening with heavier tension. “It’s rather odd, isn’t it? Evangeline inviting you here, yet she’s nowhere to be found.” His voice dripped with condescension, and she could see the amusement dancing in his eyes, as if he relished her discomfort.
Cecilia fought against the magnetic pull of his presence, struggling to rein her eyes away from the obvious pull of attraction, his strong build and confident demeanor being very hard to ignore. She could feel the heat radiating from him, an energy that was both alluring and infuriating.
“Perhaps she could’ve found herself busy for a moment, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone sharper than intended, trying to mask the flutter of her stomach. “Or perhaps she trusts me to explore on my own. As would be expected, considering we’re soon to be like sisters.”
Alistair’s expression shifted slightly, the malicious intent still lurking beneath the surface, but there was something else—a flicker of curiosity that made her wonder what he truly thought of her presence in his space.
