He wondered briefly if he should inform Magnus about what his sister had truly been doing that evening for her to return so late.
It would stop her at least undertaking such a dangerous adventure but somehow the words didn't leave his mouth.
"You should allow her freedom on some occasion," Theo found himself suggesting instead. "You will not have her with you much longer. You should try to bond with her instead and know what she likes."
"Do not try to advise me on how to handle my sister, Emerton," Magnus said with a frown. "She is my responsibility and I will treat her as I deem fit."
"She is a person and not property," he argued not knowing why he even cared. "She will hardly sit still and agree with all your choices."
"She doesn't have to agree with my choices. What matters is she obey them."
"If that is what you believe."
"Indeed it is," Magnus answered. "She is hardly old enough to make sound decisions for herself. I know what is best for her."
Yet she was considered old enough to be married,he thought.
It was wonderful how society reasoned but he didn't want to begin to argue social construct with his stubborn friend. It wouldn't end well and he didn't want to spark any suspicion as to why he was suddenly interested in anything other than his happiness.
"I must take my leave now," he announced, rising to his feet. "I bid you a good evening."
Magnus nodded and he stepped out into the corridor, letting out the breath he hadn't known he had been holding. He was thankful he had said nothing to his friend or he would haveresigned Cecilia to even more sheltering by her oaf of a brother. He loved his sister and was concerned for her future, that much was obvious but his execution left much to be desired.
He let out another sigh and turned into the next corridor wondering how he could return Cecilia's list to her without it sparking curious eyes when hands suddenly shot out of the darkness, pulling him through a set of doors he hadn't noticed.
Irritation bubbled under his skin, as well as curiosity.
Who would dare treat a duke so casually?
"What are you doing here?" a familiar voice hissed, causing a grin to spread across his face.
"If it isn't the Lady Cecilia, or should I say, kitten,” he teased and she slapped a hand over his mouth.
His eyes adjusted to the dim lighting in the room and he saw she had indeed returned to a more respectable gown that befit her station.
What a shame really,he thought. She had rather nice cleavage.
He silenced the errant thought and raised a brow in question.
"Be quiet," she hissed not taking her hand off his mouth. "You will not speak anything of this evening. Do you understand?"
He raised a brow as if to ask her how she expected him to answer when he couldn't speak and when she realized her error, she moved her hand from his mouth.
"I have your list."
"I have your list."
Never had words instilled so much fear in Cecilia like the words the duke had just spoken to her.
When she hadn't found her list upon her return to Lily's house, she assumed she had lost it and while she mourned the loss, she had been thankful that she hadn't written her name on it.
She had never expected that it would find its way back to her or be found by the last person she wanted to see in her home.
Hadn't she suffered enough mortification for one day?
When the butler had informed her that her brother wasn't alone upon her return, she had an inkling who it would be but hoped she was wrong but when she had seen his annoying smile, she didn't think before pulling him into the room.
Now that they were alone, she saw the error of her ways.
