Chapter 15

A few days later, Ava received a message from Magnus to meet at the tower in the perfect time, she knew what it meant. Sunset. He had given her another key to the back gate so she could come anytime. He had been very busy in his training recently, so they didn't often meet. She went to the tower through the back gate.

At the back of the manor, it was as quiet and peaceful as usual. The shaft of afternoon sunlight through the leaves added a glorious touch to the silent beauty.

She climbed up the stairs and reached the top. She was just about to step outside when a sight struck her and she nearly bolted from shock. She moved aside quickly, hiding herself behind the wall, her heart was pounding wildly. The duke was standing in the tower's balcony. She recognized his silvery locks at once. Ava felt her whole body quivering. She had to go as fast as possible. Peeking from behind the wall, she intended to rush down quickly without making any sound. Something held her still in an instant.

The duke was painting on a canvas held by an easel. He seemed completely absorbed by what he was doing. The exquisite details caught her attention. He undoubtedly had an exceptional ability in this particular thing. But what made the painting so moving wasn't the perfection of the composition and balance, neither his expertise to play with the light and shades. In the most tantalizing way, it captured the glorious sense of the moment, arousing a feeling of amazement as if she was watching it in real, like he painted the spirit and soul of it.

She stared in wonder. She didn't believe such a heartless creature could create something so deep and soulful like this. She glanced across his tall figure, just noticing he looked different today. He didn't wear his waistcoat and other formal attributes. He dressed casually in white shirt and light grey colored vest, his trousers was in the darker shade of his vest and his black leather boots were knee-high. His whole clothing was almost as casual as Magnus, yet he looked nothing of a country man. There was something that made him indisputably regal regardless of what he was wearing.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbow. Some ink splash stained his hand caught her eyes. He had beautiful hands. His fingers were long and slender, his skin fair and smooth. Certainly this man had never done a day of manual labor in his life. She wondered if he had callouses or scars. She totally forgot to flee, fascinated by the way his hand moved on the canvas, so delicately precise.

All of a sudden, unexpectedly he turned around very quickly and caught her in the act. She gasped and hid herself behind the wall swiftly. It was too late, he already saw her. Panic struck her like lightning and she raced to the stairs in long hasty steps. Her foot almost reached down the first stair when her wrist was grabbed suddenly from behind and she was pulled back with a strong force.

She nearly cried, but she held back, however it was her being the intruder here. She was forced to turned around and faced him. Fear and shock paralyzed her as she met his refined face. Her limbs got weak and if not because he kept hold of her wrist very tightly, she might have fallen down to the floor.

"Trespassing is a serious misconduct." He gazed down at her under his lowering lashes. Although his voice was flat, his eyes sparked with undisguised contempt and his steely grip hurt her wrist. Even in a great anxiety, she couldn't help noticing he was devilishly handsome. In the natural light at a very close range, he looked younger than when she first saw him. His silver hair and his innate maturity belied his actual years. Towering over her, his unusual height just made her feel more intimidated.

"I come by invitation." She replied beneath unsteady breath, somehow managed to keep her voice from quivering. Inside, she was scared to death.

After a moment of consideration, he released his grip from her, Ava stepped back and rubbed her aching wrist. He raised an eyebrow in a scornful manner.

"Really? To my knowledge, Vermont Manor is very particular about the person we invite."

She braced herself to look up on him. He was positively not a man she wanted to lock gazes with. But his jewel-like blue eyes fascinated her. No one had a pair of eyes like that. It was ironic that such a beauty possessed no warmth and any enchanting qualities. They were cold and ruthless. Still, they held her spellbound. She tried to remember what she was about to say.

"Lord Magnus is a good friend of mine. He sent me a message this morning, inviting me to see the sunset. I'm bringing the letter with me."

"Did he? Show me the letter." He spoke in such an arrogant manner, she got stung instantly.

"With all due respect, Your Grace, I would like to keep it private."

She dared to deny him. Ashton studied her with a brief glance, considering how much effort it would take to suppress her.

"Look like my careless cousin is being forgetful these days. He didn't show up and I don't see the smallest sign that he is coming. I have to apologize for him."

His remarks was sarcasm and mockery disguised in politeness, and she knew he did it deliberately to taunt her, but she had no choice other than to respond in the same manner.

"That's very kind of you, Your Grace. But it's absolutely unnecessary. Since Lord Magnus has not shown up, I shall be leaving now."

Ava made a quick yet proper curtsy and turned around, intended to rush down the stairs as fast as possible. She definitely would kill Magnus after this, for leaving her alone trapped with this villain.

"Hold on, Miss Marlowe."

She caught her breath and cursed, halted at once. But perhaps he would only tell her which direction to go. She turned around again reluctantly, hoping greatly this tormenting situation to end very soon.

"I need to know how you could enter this manor. Apart from family members and the servants, nobody is allowed to come and go at will."

She froze on her feet, didn't know what to say. She didn't want to get Magnus into trouble. Would it be considered as a terrible mistake for Magnus if she told the truth? Or possibly it might be considered as just a little mischief. She was certain the duke had known Magnus was the one to show her how to enter this house secretly.

"Miss Marlowe." He persisted.

"I'm asking you. How did you come in here?"

There was no way to escape. He wouldn't let her go until he got the answer.

"Lord Magnus showed me the way to the back of the manor and he gave me the key to the back gate."

His brows were furrowed in a disapproving expression. Clearly he considered it intolerable. A tinge of guilt crept over her. Seemed like Magnus would have to bear some consequences for this.

"Miss Marlowe, you shall be informed that this place has certain rules regarding our guests. The key to this manor is our private property and we don't share it with some random visitors."

He let his words hovered for a moment before finished his sentence.

"Especially the uninvited."

"I'm glad I'm not the kind of guest that you just mentioned, Your Grace."

She made a quick reply. She had let him expressed his distaste toward her without any resistance, but he had made continuous effort to taunt her.

"I believe Lord Magnus was just thinking of my convenience when he lent me this key, since he meant to invite me. But I understand very well about your rules as much as I respect it."

She handed the key to him before he asked. Better like this, before he pushed her to give it back with more intimidation. He received the key without any hint of appreciation.

"Now if you will excuse me, I shall be leaving." She turned swiftly without bothering to curtsy. She couldn't wait to disappear from him. She couldn't take it any longer.

"Wait a second, Miss Marlowe. There is one thing you should know."

She stopped immediately. He didn't wait for her to turn and face him this time.

"Invited or uninvited, you're not welcomed here. I prefer you to never set foot again in my residence."

She resisted the temptation to answer back as a surge of rage and pain engulfed her.

"Have I made myself clear?" He said the last sentence with a resolute affirmation.

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before she replied without a backward glance.

"Crystal."