Nathaniel, standing above them, nodded in agreement. “He has a knack for strategy that’s hard to beat. You did your best, nevertheless, sister.”
Evie chimed in, her voice light yet sincere, “I was actually hoping you’d pull through, Cece. It’s not so much a wide gap.”
Tristan, seemingly unable to resist, added with a teasing tone, “I’ve actually never managed to beat my sister, you know. All praises to you, Your Grace.”
“Perhaps that’s because you’re simply a terrible player, dear brother.”
Tristan laughed, blinking in surprise, taken aback by the intensity of her annoyance. “Whoa, easy there. Don’t be a upset loser, sister.”
“I’m tired of being the butt of your jokes. Come up with something new,” she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.
“I wasn’t even joking this time?” Her brother’s laughter only grated her nerves further. “Perhaps you need some tea? To find calm from the loss, sister?”
Cecilia felt the heat rise in her cheeks, “It’s not just about winning or losing. Don’t treat me like a child, Tristan.”
“You’re not a child, but you’re still my little sister,” he countered, his teasing tone softening. “It’s my right to do this.”
Cecilia could feel the duke’s gaze boring into her, a steady weight that ignited both irritation and an unsettling thrill. His intense stare felt like a challenge. It felt like he was daring her to have an outburst right in front of everyone and prove him right.
Her irritation simmered as he continued to stare.. He hadn’t even bothered to gloat about his recent win, which only added to her frustration. Instead, he seemed content to let the moment linger, as if he enjoyed watching her squirm under the weight of the attention. She turned and faced him with a sharp glare at last, demanding he look away. Yet he didn’t. And each second felt like an eternity.
As Cecilia struggled to maintain her composure, Alistair’s eyes flickered down to her lips, a fleeting glance that sent a jolt through her. His eyes lingered there only for a second before returning to her eyes but it still made her stomach flutter. She felt inexplicably lightheaded.
What is he doing?
Why are you doing this to me, Alistair?
Cecilia clenched her fists, fighting against the rush of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. How could he be so terribly confident, yet so utterly vexing?
She turned her head away, attempting to regain her focus, but the heat of his stare remained on her, igniting a fire within her that she couldn’t quite extinguish.
“Family, it’s getting late,” Evie’s voice cut through the tension, pulling Cecilia from her spiraling thoughts. “I believe we should head inside before it gets too dark.”
Nathaniel and Tristan chimed in, their laughter ringing out as they playfully nudged each other. “Yeah, it’s best to not get eaten by any wild animals out here, mostly the slender, dark haired female ones,” Tristan joked, glancing around as if expecting a multitude of Cecilias to leap from the shadows.
“Or worse, get stuck with my brother’s smug face for too long,” Evie laughed, grinning at Cecilia in support, who couldn’t help a half smile.
Cecilia felt the tension still hanging in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the charged moment they had just shared. Everyone seemed to agree, and with a collective nod, they began to move toward the house.
“Excuse me.”
Cecilia gasped as a familiar frame fell in step closely beside her. As she walked alongside Alistair, the proximity only heightened her awareness of him. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
There is no need for him to be this close! Why is he so close?!
What is happening here?!
CHAPTER 10
“Grandmother, I’m hoping the flowers will bloom earlier next year. Wouldn’t that be a sight?”
Cecilia smiled, her voice filled with curiosity as they strolled through the snow covered gardens of the Holloway estate. The weak sunlight shone through beads of snowflakes and droplets, and a small rainbow was high in the sky.
The dowager countess smiled gently. “Wouldn’t it depend on the warmth of the spring, my dear? You know better than us all, nature has its own rhythm.”
Cecilia nodded, her heart swelling with affection for her grandmother. The woman had paid attention to her son’s interests, and now she was the only one Cecilia could have these conversations with. “I’ve been studying the local flora more. I want to document how different plants adapt to their environment. It’s fascinating how resilient they are.”
Louisa’s eyes sparkled with pride. “You have such a passion for this, dearest. It reminds me of my youth when I chased after my own dreams. But tell me, how does this fit into your aspirations of becoming a writer?”
