Chapter 2

A door at the far end of the corridor creaked. I took that as my cue to resume my work. I hadn’t started on anything essential, and there was much to do.

Peering under my bonnet, I saw Maud coming out of what I assumed was one of the guest rooms. She took one look at me and quickly dashed around the corner.

I thought her reaction was strange, but I was also jumpy from being on this floor.

The sudden heat behind my back, and the hot whisper close to my right ear, surprised me.

“You’re a curious one, aren’t you?” The voice was husky but also made me shiver in all the right places.

I hurriedly turned around and was face to face with the half-naked man. I understood why Maud had left in a hurry.

I bowed my head and tried to touch my back to the wall but couldn’t find it.

The man stepped toward me, and I kept striding back while extending my arm behind me in the hope of finally touching the damn wall.

“Did you see anything interesting?” The man asked interestedly.

“No, my… lord?”

I had said it more as a question than an answer. I did not know who this person was. It could have been the young lord; however, it could have also been a nobleman staying in the lord’s quarters while visiting. Maybe a close friend? I thought exasperatedly that this situation would not have been an issue for me if he had clothes on.

He chuckled, and I almost felt his laughter vibrate within me because of his nearness.

“I am,” he said in a low voice.

Great, now I just needed to dig a hole and die in it. I was so ashamed. Why couldn’t the floor just swallow me whole?

After a pause, I bit my bottom lip. My previous answer didn’t explain why I was in front of this door.

Shit. I had to think of something quick.

“I was only straightening the painting besides this door, and I thought I could confirm if it was straight by looking at it sideways, milord.”

“And? Is it straight?” He responded before putting his fingers on my chin and lifting my head.

His fingers were warm but hard on my skin. I felt tiny electrical discharges where he was touching me. They buzzed me and made my insides feel like a soft pile of goo.

I instinctively took another step back and looked at his face, but lowered my eyes quickly when I met his dark gray stare. It made me think of the sky before a thunderstorm.

I regretted lowering my sight immediately as I noticed he was still shirtless, and my head was at the height of his bare chest.

My heart started bouncing between my rib cage when he took another step closer to me.

I also saw that I had entered the forbidden room. I would be in so much trouble if the head maid found out.

“You’re a pretty little thing,” he said as if to reply to my silence. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” he said earnestly while keeping his burning gaze on me. “You’re shaking. Do I frighten you that much?”.

I didn’t know if he really wanted an answer.

Mauling over his words, I didn’t think it wise to say anything. I hadn’t even noticed I was shaking and that my skin was covered in goosebumps until he mentioned it.

I took the last courage I could muster and met Lord Alexander’s gaze again. After all, he was extremely handsome.

He was very tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. This surprised me since I didn’t take him for someone who would have that kind of physique. Most noblemen were only paper pushers; I didn’t take him for the physical sort.

He also had a gorgeous square jaw with an unshaven look that I thought was hot.

Faiths, in my previous life, I would have probably tried to get his attention if ever I had met him.

He still held my face, and I instinctively took another step backward. I gasped as my arm touched something hard and quickly put my other hand around my back to figure out what sort of object it was.

The thing I was touching was cold and felt like something made from metal. I repositioned my feet and heard the clinking sound of chains.

What the hell was in this room?

I glanced back nervously at Lord Alexander and held my breath when I noticed him place his head near mine and take a deep breath through his nose.

“Hmm.” The sound came from his throat, almost sounding like a purr. His brows then knitted together as though in thought, and his gray eyes darkened to nearly pitch black.

He released my chin and moved further into the room, passing beside me.

“Milord,” I started, not knowing what to say. I needed to leave. “May I take my leave and finish the preparations before your guests arrive?” and maybe go take a bath since he blatantly sniffed me, and now, I was a little subconscious of myself.

I saw his shadow turn around and look at me. His eyes looked almost like those of a cat in the dark.

They looked like they were glowing.

“No need. You may return to your boss and let her know I will no longer be entertaining for the day. I found something far much better to do with my time.”

That was all he said.

I thought I detected a grin, but I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t stay long enough to hear if he required anything else.