Page 60 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
She sent him a look she hoped told him she wished to speak with him later but he turned away quickly and she frowned.
This was the first time he had acknowledged her since his greeting earlier in the evening and while she should have hidden her grief better, she knew she was sporting a frown on her face.
What had she done to deserve his ire?
She was the one who was supposed to be angry after he had so harshly ordered her home after she had cleaned his wounds and then ignored her in her own home.
She was the one supposed to be ignoring him yet she still wanted to speak to him despite how he had hurt her.
"On the contrary, Your Grace," Hector answered. "I want to have an early night as I will be going on a business trip tomorrow morning."
"Have a safe trip then, Hickling," Magnus said with a smile. "We shall discuss further upon your return."
Cecilia felt her heart sink when she saw the two men shake hands, feeling somewhat like a sold horse. It seemed a proposal was in her near future and all he wanted to do was run away.
She sent a look to the duke who was conversing with her brother. She set her coffee cup on the table and rose to her feet.
"Are you retiring, sister?" Magnus asked, noticing.
"Yes," she answered. "It is indeed rather late."
He rose to his feet as well, nodding.
"Emerton, will you be staying or…"
"I shall take my leave now," Theo answered. "I have intruded enough on your hospitality. Have a good night as well, Lady Cecilia."
Cecilia felt her heart soar in panic as she saw him shake hands with her brother and leave the drawing room.
"Aren't you going upstairs, Cecilia?" Magnus asked drawing her gaze.
"Oh… yes. I just remembered I wanted a glass of warm milk before bed. It helps me sleep better," she said, wringing her hands. "You can go upstairs first. I'll go to the kitchen first."
He nodded and left and once she heard his steps retreat above stairs, she rushed after the door hoping the duke had returned home like he said.
She didn't have time to change into a simpler dress so she would just have to risk being seen exiting a hansom in front of his estate.
She should have found a way to speak to him before he left but she didn't want to risk her brother knowing just how familiar the two of them had gotten if he caught them alone together.
She neared the coat room when she saw the door slightly ajar and before she could think, hands reached out and pulled her in, closing over her mouth.
"Before you scream, remember that you do not want your brother discovering us, little mouse." Theo's voice whispered in her ear.
"I thought you left," she said once his hand lowered from her mouth.
She couldn't keep her sadness out of her voice. Her mouth even dipped into a frown even if her heart raced from fear at being so startled. He had a bad habit of frightening her and it hadn't gotten amusing.
"You so obviously wanted to speak to me," he stated smugly. "How could I leave?"
Her cheeks heated and she lowered her eyes.
He had noticed that after all.
She thought he had been too taken in his anger at her to notice but of course the infuriating man noticed.
She folded her arms across her chest feeling her ire kindled. He didn't have any right to be so upset at her when he was the one who had done naught but offend her.
"You have misunderstood me then," she lied. "I have no reason to speak to you."
