“I told you no.” The Duke reached the painting, snatched the sheet, and threw it back over his work. “What is wrong with you?”
He puffed, and he panted as he stood over her. He tried to make himself big and angry and fearsome. But with that painting in mind, with his reaction to his son still clear, Octavia saw him in a new light… one that she could not believe that she had missed.
Was it all an act? Was he truly as dispassionate and sinister as he put on? Or was he just trying to make himself out to be something that he believed was right, even if he did not wish it to be the case?
There was more to the Duke than Octavia had realized, and only now was she starting to understand what that other side might be.
“That was beautiful,” she said, not in the least bit frightened. “I had no idea that you… How long have you been painting for?”
“What part of no do you not understand?” he snapped. “What is the point of rules if you do not obey them? And how can I expect you to help my son behave if you won’t do so yourself?”
“Rules?” She folded her arms. “I don’t remember there being any rules concerning your paintings. You never mentioned them.”
“I –” His tongue caught in his mouth. “That is not the point.”
“Then what is the point?”
“You should not be here,” he hissed. “I hired you to help with my son and –”
“Which is exactly what I am doing,” she cut him off, seeing her chance. “But how can I help if you will not listen?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “You are so obsessed with rules, perhaps it is time that I make one of my own.”
“What…” He leaned back. “What are you talking about?”
“You truly want to help your son? You really want to see him grow into the man we both know he can be? Then you need to start spending time with him.”
“I… I am busy,” he attempted lamely.
“Do you eat?” she asked.
He blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Food,” she explained. “Do you eat food? Even a duke must eat.”
“Of course I do,” he said sharply.
“Good. Then my rule is that once a day, you and Master Aaron share a meal together. It does not have to be anything extravagant. It does not have to take up so much time. But you will be surprised what thirty minutes a day does, just as you might be surprised to the effect.”
He looked down at her as if he did not understand what she was saying. Confusion reigned supreme behind his dark eyes, and they searched her as if he were trying to find an answer to a question he did not know.
Octavia refused to look away. She let those dark eyes roam her, drinking her up, devouring her in ways that were not wholly unfamiliar and not nearly as discerning as they used to be. She wanted him to see her.
“You… you really are stubborn, aren’t you?” he growled.
“You are only just realizing this now?”
He chuckled darkly. “I was right about hiring you. Not how effective you will be… but how dangerous.” He licked his lips. “This was a mistake.”
“It was not.” She swallowed the lump in her throat because the way he looked at her had transformed from curious to something else… and it made her pulse quicken. “I –”
“Will get your wish,” he spoke over her, his voice a low whisper. “Which I am sure you like to hear. Don’t you? You enjoy beating me.” He stepped toward her suddenly, so quickly that she did not have time to move back.
Her eyes widened. Her heart erupted against her chest. The atmosphere between the two shifted and transformed from argumentative and hostile to something else… something infinitely more dangerous but also exciting.
“I… I am not trying to beat you,” she stammered nervously as he looked down at her. “I am only trying to… to help Master Aaron.”
“No.” A shake of the head. “This isn’t about Aaron.”
“It is.”
