His hand tightened fractionally next to hers. She didn’t have to look to feel the strength so very close. “I already told you. Your brother—”
She cut him off. “Do you really expect me to believe that you have such a high reverence for Roarke that you should volunteer for such an impossible task?”
“You’re not impossible.” His breath fanned her cheek. “But it’s true that someone needs to rescue you.”
She stiffened slightly. “I don’t need rescuing.”
“Everyone needs rescuing at some point,” he countered softly.
Lyra didn’t dare reply to such a tempting statement. “Well, now that you know where the library is, I’m sure you can manage to find it again, should you have use of it.” She pulled away from him. “That is, for as long as I lay claim to it.”
“Lyra…”
She didn’t even know if he’d meant to address her so intimately, but in the end, she merely shook her head before fleeing the room.
Alister expelled a heavy breath at her departure. The more he was around Lyra, the more he wanted to gain access to the hidden parts of her soul that she kept so tightly hidden. It surprised him that she’d opened herself to him as much as she had, for it was obvious this library meant the world to her, and while he didn’t know preciselywhyhe was granted such revered access, all that mattered was that she had let him past one of those barriers.
But it was the sudden vulnerability on her face that had shot him like an arrow straight to the heart. He vowed right then and there that he would see to it that she kept her prized library, even if he had to take it apart brick by bloody brick and relocate it to his estate in Kent himself.
But this is where he had to be very careful. Already he was standing on a very precarious precipice, and with very little provocation he could find himself spiraling down a dangerous path.
Unfortunately, the longer he was alone with Lyra, the stronger the pull became to descend into the abyss.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lyra was determined to act completely cool and unaffected by the duke when she went down to supper that evening. She would be polite and even cordial, but that’s where the familiarity would end. She would keep any topics strictly on the case, the weather, and maybe even fashion, but nothing else.
With a firm nod at herself in the mirror, she descended the stairs. But once she made it to the lower landing, she heard the murmur of masculine voices coming from the front parlor. Surely the man wasn’t actuallyentertainingwithout her knowledge or consent?She clenched her fists in irritation, for such a thing could not be borne. Prisoner or not, the last time she checked, this washerhouse—for however long it lasted—and as the lady in residence, duke or no,wardenor not, he had to understand that she had a right to know who came and went, and that meant being informed if there was a caller.
Lyra marched straight across the threshold. She had just opened her mouth to deliver a proper set down, when Albright turned at her entrance—and smiled. The action promptly caught her off guard, and for a moment, she was temporarily struck mute.
Had he always had dimples?
“Ah, this must be the lovely Lady Weston I’ve heard so much about.”
Lyra didn’t immediately acknowledge the speaker; her complete focus was on the duke as her irritation rushed back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet you properly, sir, but I didn’t realizeIhad a guest.”
Alister had the grace to appear slightly sheepish, although he made no apologies. “I didn’t wish to notify you until Mr. Lyridon and I had a chance to speak of the dynamics of the case first.”
It was only then that Lyra finally shifted her gaze to the man in question.
And felt her mouth drop open a second time in astonishment.
If she hadn’t known better, she would have said she was staring at the Marquess of Sussex. Naturally, she’d seen Drayven before, for they had been privy to the same social circle, although they had never been formally introduced. Mr. Lyridon, as a barrister, was perfectly acceptable to join ton events, but apparently he preferred not to, for Lyra didn’t recall mention of his presence among the other matrons.
She quickly realized, however, that all the rumors about him and the marquess sharing the same characteristics had not been exaggerated. They were indeed twin cousins, with their intimidating height and dark features, although Mr. Lyridon didn’t choose exclusive black like his relation, dressed as he was in a pair of buff breeches and a navy blue waistcoat and jacket.
And then, of course, there were the eyes. Whereas Lord Sussex had coal-black eyes, this man’s were a striking, silver hue.
Lyra held out her hand as she finally found her voice. “I don’t mean to stare, Mr. Lyridon, but you bear a remarkable resemblance to…”
“You know, I get that a lot,” he replied coyly, his silver eyes twinkling merrily as he took her hand and lightly kissed her bare knuckles.
Lyra could see the duke stiffen slightly, so she widened her smile at Mr. Lyridon. “Might I invite you to stay for supper?”
“I would be delighted, my lady,” the barrister said as smoothly as before. “But perhaps I might eschew the usual brandy and cigar afterwards in order to go over your statement?”
“Of course,” Lyra replied, but her stomach suddenly twisted into a series of knots. How she might manage to eat a single bite of her food knowing what was to come afterward would surely be a miracle. “I’ll just ring to let cook know—”
