Chapter 4

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving only the soft glow of the lamp and the pounding of Lila’s heart filling the silence. Alexander stood there, his gaze locked on her, making the room feel even smaller. Lila’s breath hitched, her mind scrambling for answers. What was he doing here? At this hour? She’d expected him to be in his wife’s arms by now, but here he was, staring at her with an intensity that made her throat dry.

His eyes roamed over her, drifting from her face down to her body. It was then that she remembered—she was standing in nothing but her petticoat. And a short, transparent one at that! Panic seized her, and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself. She didn’t dare move, afraid that any shift might reveal more than he’d already seen.

The silence was thick, almost suffocating, so she decided to break it.

“Mr. Harrington,” she squeaked, her voice trembling as one hand clutched at her bosom, the other pressed against her thigh.

“Lila,” he replied, his voice low, still staring at her with that same penetrating gaze.

“Is there something you needed, sir? Is Madam in need of anything?” she asked, her voice wavering. Why was he here? It clearly wasn’t an emergency; if it were, he wouldn’t be looking at her like this, like he was in a trance.

“Victoria isn’t in need of your services. She is fast asleep,” he informed her. The way he said it, the calmness in his voice, made her uneasy. There was something in the way he relayed that information, something suggestive. He took a step closer, and she instinctively moved backward, her hands still desperately trying to shield herself.

“I, on the other hand, am in need of something from you,” he said, his voice calm and collected, yet there was something in his tone that sent a shiver down her spine.

Lila swallowed hard, her heart thundering in her chest. “What... what might that be, sir?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Alexander’s gaze flicked down to her petticoat, and for a moment, she thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch in amusement. “I’m feeling a bit hungry,” he said softly, stepping even closer. “Why don’t you go downstairs and prepare something for me? In this.” His eyes lingered on the thin fabric of her undergarments, and the room suddenly felt stifling.

Lila’s mind raced. Prepare something for him... dressed like this? Her breath hitched in her throat as she tried to understand what was happening. Was he testing her? Playing some kind of game? She couldn’t refuse, but the thought of walking through the house like this, with him watching...

Lila’s ears buzzed. Surely, she hadn’t heard him correctly.

“Sir?” she stammered, her throat dry. “Prepare something... in this?” Her fingers curled tighter over her chest, as though the flimsy fabric could hide her better.

Alexander’s lips quirked up at the corners, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He didn’t answer right away, instead, he let the silence stretch, the air between them thickening. Finally, he spoke again, his voice silkier, almost patronizing. “Lila... are you disobeying me?”

Her stomach dropped. “N-no, sir,” she rushed out. “It’s just— I-I thought I’d—”

“Change?” He took another step toward her, the warmth of his body making her shiver. “And leave me waiting? Keeping me waiting too long can... turn into disobedience.” His gaze darkened. “And disobedience can cost you your job.”

Lila’s heart pounded harder. She knew she was teetering on dangerous ground, but what choice did she have? If he fired her, she’d have nothing. “I’ll... I’ll get started right away,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Good girl,” Alexander murmured, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned and headed for the door. Relief washed over her—maybe he’d leave now. Maybe this would all just—

But he didn’t leave. He waited by the door, watching her expectantly. “After you,” he said, his tone light, but the command clear.

Lila’s feet moved of their own accord, leading her out of the room, with Alexander following close behind. Every nerve in her body was on edge. She was hyper-aware of the rustle of her petticoat, the slight chill of the air against her bare skin, and—most of all—the weight of his stare.

By the time they reached the kitchen, Lila was almost trembling. She turned to ask what he wanted, hoping he’d take a seat in the dining room, but to her shock, he didn’t. He stayed there, standing just a few feet away, his eyes scanning the room as if inspecting his territory.

“What can I prepare for you, sir?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

His gaze slid slowly down her body before he answered, “How about a steak? And potatoes.” The way he said it made her blush, though the request itself was simple enough.

Lila nodded and hurried to get the ingredients, her fingers fumbling as she tried to work quickly. She could feel his eyes on her every move, and it made her hyper-aware of everything—the way her petticoat barely brushed the tops of her thighs, the cool air grazing her bare arms, the way her hair kept falling in her face.

As she cooked, time seemed to stretch, each minute feeling longer than the last. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, a combination of embarrassment and something more unsettling. Why was he watching her like that? And why... why did it make her heart race?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the food was ready. She plated the steak and potatoes, every movement slow and deliberate under his watchful gaze. When she placed the plate on the table, she leaned forward slightly to pour a glass of water, her cleavage inadvertently exposed as she moved.

Alexander didn’t miss it.

His hand moved, reaching toward her, and for a terrifying moment, Lila thought he was going to touch her. She froze, the glass halfway full, her breath caught in her throat.

But instead of touching her, he brushed a finger against her collarbone, his touch light as a feather. “You’ve got something...” he murmured. He swiped his thumb across the bare skin just above her breast, then lifted it to his lips.

“Tsk,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Salt.”

Lila’s face burned, her body tense. She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or violated. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, embarrassment, and a strange, unwanted heat pooling in her stomach. What was wrong with her? How could she be aroused by this... this twisted game?

“Is there anything else, sir?” she asked, desperate to escape the weight of his stare.

For a moment, Alexander didn’t respond. His eyes lingered on her, considering. Then, with a slow, almost lazy smile, he said, “No, that’ll be all. You can go back to your room now.”

She turned to leave quickly but was stopped by him, “ Oh, and Lila?”

“ Y-yes, sir?” Her heart pounding, not daring to turn around.

His gaze flicks up and down her body, voice smooth and dangerously calm, “ You look....good in that.”

Her face flushes, and she stammers, barely able to form words, “ Th-thank y—”

He cut her off, his tone dropping, becoming more serious, “ Do not try to refuse me again like you did tonight. Disobedience might be overlooked once, but I won’t make a habit of it. Next time, you might not be so lucky. “

Her breath catches, panic tightening in her chest. She nods quickly, her heart racing, not daring to speak further.

“ Leave.”

She hurriedly ran out of the dinning room not wanting to upset him.