Page 51 of The Duke's Sinful Bride

“Is this yer doing?” he demanded, his arms crossed.

Maisie whimpered, clinging to her skirts. “I… I didn’t mean to be bad…”

“Bad?” Killian scoffed. “You think this is amusing? Ruining important documents with—syrup?”

Upon hearing the sound of Killian’s thunderous voice, Yvette, who had buried her nose in a book, rose to her feet immediately, heading towards the sound.

On her way there, she met with Maisie’s governess, both of them sharing a single confused look.

“What happened?” Yvette asked Killian the moment she reached Killian’s study.

From the look on Maisie’s face, Yvette already had an idea of what had happened, but she waited for Killian to explain how he found syrup in his inkwell while working on important document.

Then he turned toward Maisie’s governess.

“Is this what you’ve been teaching her?”

The governess, eager to escape blame, shook her head.

“No, Your Grace. I have no idea where she must’ve learned to be mischievous like this,” the woman said, but Killian was not having it.

“Then what exactly is yer work, if she goes around exhibiting characteristics you didn’t teach her?” Killian asked, his tone threatening, so much that the governess took a few steps backward as though that could save her from Killian’s wrath.

Killian then turned toward Maisie, his anger flaring.

“Where did you learn to do a thing like that?” He asked, his anger radiating off him to the little girl, who was too scared to say anything so remained quiet.

Her silence, however, only angered Killian more, who ran his fingers through his hair before returning his attention to the little girl.

“I demand you tell me this instant, or I shall take away your horse!”

“Killian!” Yvette felt the need to step in. It was ridiculous how such a small matter was turning into something extreme.

Killian directed his attention to Yvette.

“At what point will you realize it was just a harmless prank?”

Killian’s expression darkened. “Harmless? Encouraging such behavior will make her reckless.”

“She’s six,” Yvette shot back, her voice rising. “Six! She’s a child, not a soldier under your command.”

Killian’s jaw clenched. “Discipline is necessary. Allowing her to run wild will only spoil her.”

Yvette’s eyes flashed with anger. “Discipline without warmth breeds fear, not respect. Is that what you want from your daughter?”

His nostrils flared. “Maisie must learn proper conduct. This is not?—”

“Proper conduct?” Yvette interrupted incredulously. “You’re angry because she dared to laugh, dared to play.”

Killian took a step closer, his voice dangerously low. “She must understand there are consequences to every action.”

“And what consequence should she face for wanting to experience life?” Yvette challenged, her chest heaving. “Do you realize how desperately she craves your approval? She acts out because she knows it is the only way to get your attention!”

Killian faltered, guilt flickering across his face, but before he could respond, the governess hurried back into the hall, her expression panicked.

“Your Grace—I—I can’t find her!”

Both Killian and Yvette froze.

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