Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

GARRICK

When Felix had presented Duke Adair’s marriage proposal we had done our research, but this tiny tempest of a female is way more than I was expecting. To refuse marriage to a High Lord, and to do it so blatantly? The image of her from the night before flares to life in my mind—lithe frame and tight curves, arms crossed under her perfect breasts… I shake the image away. I can’t have the distraction.

I run a hand through my hair, still damp from my morning shower, as I stare at the papers in front of me. Information on every Duke, Marquess, and Earl in attendance of a respectable age is laid out before me, and not a single one seems worthy, let alone capable, of handling the little tyrant. She’d tear most of these fools apart. A million things I need to be handling, and here I am picking out a match for the woman I’m supposed to marry… This whole situation is absurd.

I’ve met countless noblewoman from my dominions, all vying for a chance at my side or offered up by an overreaching father. Most I could just brush off, others had required some creativity to get out of, but each had left a weeping Lady in its wake. But not Lilly… The shape of her in that yellow gown is back, and this time I don’t fight the memory.

A knock at my door snaps me from my reverie, and I call for them to enter. Felix steps inside, shutting the door behind him before leaning back against the wall. “So what’s the plan?”

I huff a breath through my nose and sit back in my chair. “Desperation,” I say, turning my chair slightly so I can look out into the misty valley below.

Felix scoffs. “Desperation? From the ruthless Dragonlord? From the man who,” he pauses, looking around suspiciously, “killed his own father? For shame.” He covers his mouth in a parody of shock.

“Very funny… One of them has to stick, or near enough that no one can tell the difference,” I say, gesturing to the papers before me. “And you are going to find out why she reeks of witch magic.”

“I’ll start with the friend. I’m sure I can get her talking.”

I nod once. Duke Adair offers up his only heir for marriage, and she shows up covered in magic? It’s strange—strange enough to warrant suspicion. Adair is powerful, and has sway with the other lords, but not enough to challenge me directly. If there is some sort of power play going on here, I need to know what it is. I glance back to Felix, “Be discrete. I don’t need this getting back to Lord Adair.”

“When am I not discrete?”

I arch a brow at my friend. “Texas?”

Felix rolls his eyes. “It was one tiny little town! And to be fair, I wasn’t the one who caused the damage.” He raises his chin in defiance.

“It was a whole city, and they’re still rebuilding. With my money, I might add.” Felix only snorts, and I can’t help chuckling at the reminder. Felix had decided to bed the wrong female, and her father’s rage was a little… over the top.

“And what about Lilly?”

My gaze narrows in warning. “What about her?” The threat doesn’t faze him at all. He returns the same look, puckering his lips to cap off the charade.

“You just seemed…” He says airily, “Intrigued.”

“Because she’s a problem that needs contained.”

Felix smiles, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Oh, no doubt. No doubt.” His eyes sparkle as they stare at me, as if he knows that ‘intrigue’ is more like ‘attraction.’ He would be wrong, of course. “Well. I’ll leave you to your matchmaking,” he says with a respectful bow and a not-so-respectful smile. I watch as he turns and heads back through the door, humming the wedding march as he goes. A low growl escapes my throat at the tune.

Damn. This is a problem.