Arranged Marriage: Beneath The Rumors

Chapter 46: Learning bad things behind close doors

Instead, a warm breakfast was laid out for her on the table. Scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. Lisa's stomach growled in anticipation as she sat down to eat.

As she ate, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. is getting addicted to seeing him at the dining table.

The room was silent, except for the sound of Lisa's gentle breathing.

She had been hoping to see Lugard, to talk to him and find out what was going on. But it seemed he was busy.

Just as she finished her breakfast, a nurse came in to check on her. "How are you feeling today, Lisa?" she asked, smiling.

Lisa shrugged. "I'm okay, I guess. Still a bit sore."

The nurse nodded sympathetically. "That's to be expected. But you're healing well. Dr. Lee will be happy to see you when he checks on you later."

Lisa nodded, feeling a bit better.

But as she stood up to leave, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She stumbled and almost fell, but managed to catch herself just in time.

Maybe she wasn't as strong as she thought.

Lisa decided to take a walk around the luxurious bustling streets. but she felt goosebumps.

Lisa decided against taking a walk around the streets, the memory of her kidnapping still fresh in her mind. It was on her first day, while exploring the streets, that she was taken. She didn't want to trigger any more flashbacks or emotions, so she opted to stay indoors instead.

She wandered around the mansion, searching for something to occupy her mind.

she found herself in Lugard's private place Her eyes landed on a bookshelf in the library, and she walked over to browse through the titles. As she scanned the shelves, her fingers trailing over the spines of the books, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find some solace in the pages of a good book.

Lisa's fingers stopped on a worn leather-bound book, its cover creaking as she pulled it from the shelf.

The title, "The Duke's Forbidden Love", seemed to whisper secrets in her ear, drawing her in with promises of passion and heartache. As she opened the book, the musty scent of old pages wafted up, carrying her away to a world of grand estates and whispered secrets.

The library around her faded into the shadows, the flickering candles casting eerie silhouettes on the walls. The air grew thick with anticipation as if the very books themselves were waiting for her to uncover their secrets.

Lisa settled into a nearby armchair, the soft velvet enveloping her like a cloud. She devoured the words, her heart racing with every turn of the page. The duke's tale of love and loss consumed her, echoing through her very soul.

Just as she reached the climax of the story,

"What are you doing here?" Lugard asked, his voice low and even, as he stepped into the library.

Lisa was startled, her heart racing as she realized she hadn't heard him come in. She tried to hide the romance novel behind her back, but Lugard's eyes had already narrowed, his gaze piercing.

"I...I was just looking for a book to read," she stammered, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lugard raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "With your back to the bookshelf?" he asked, his tone dripping with amusement.

Lisa's face grew hot as she realized her mistake. She slowly brought the romance novel out from behind her back, feeling like she'd been caught with a secret. am just reading.

Lugard's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, Lisa thought she saw a glimmer of a smile on his face. "Ah, 'The Duke's Forbidden Love'," he said, his voice dripping with irony. "I didn't know you were a fan of romance novels, troublemaker."

Lisa's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she tried to defend herself. "Hey, it's a great book! And I was just... uh... researching... yes, researching the genre."

Lugard chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Researching, huh? Well, I'm sure the duke's forbidden love is a fascinating topic."

"I thought you were innocent and pure," Lugard said, his voice tinged with surprise and a hint of teasing. "I didn't know you had a taste for forbidden love."

Lisa's face grew hot as she felt a blush spread across her cheeks. She looked down, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I...I just wanted to read something different," she stammered.

Lugard chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "Different from what, Lisa? The usual fairy tales and happily-ever-afters?" He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I didn't know you had a dark side, learning bad things behind closed doors." he teased.

Lisa felt like squirming under his gaze. She didn't know how to react to this teasing, flirtatious side of Lugard. "I...I don't," she protested, trying to sound convincing.

Lugard raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Then why these romance novels, little troublemaker? Why the interest in forbidden love?"

Lisa's heart raced as she tried to come up with a response. She couldn't admit the truth - that she was drawn to the passion and intensity of the novel, that she longed for something more than the mundane routine of her life.

"I...I just wanted to understand," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lugard's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing. "Understand what, unripe fruit?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Lisa felt like she was drowning in his gaze like she was being pulled under by a powerful current. She didn't know how to respond, didn't know how to escape.

she tried to make a quick escape, clutching the novel to her chest, but Lugard was too fast. He caught her arm, his grip gentle but firm, and spun her back around. "Ah-ah, I don't think so," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Lisa tried to wriggle free, but Lugard held tight. With a swift motion, he plucked the novel from her grasp and held it out of her reach. "You're not getting away that easily," he teased, his voice low and playful.

Lisa felt a surge of frustration mixed with embarrassment. She didn't want Lugard to know about her secret love for romance novels. "Give it back!" she demanded, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.

Lugard just chuckled and held the book higher, taunting her. "Oh, I don't think so. I want to know what's so fascinating about 'The Duke's Forbidden Love'."

Lisa's face grew hotter as she realized she was trapped. She tried to think of a distraction, but her mind went blank. That was when she saw it - a mischievous glint in Lugard's eye.

Lugard's eyes sparkled with amusement as he held the novel out of Lisa's reach. "So, which chapter are you on?" he asked, his voice teasing.

Lisa's face grew even hotter as she realized she had to admit how far she had read. "Chapter...35," she stammered, trying to sound nonchalant. Lugard's eyebrows shot up, and he let out a low whistle. "Ah, the infamous Chapter 35," he said, his voice dripping with intrigue. "I've heard that's the part where the duke and his lover finally give in to their desires."

Lisa's face was on fire now, and she tried to snatch the book back, but Lugard held tight. "Tell me, Lisa, what do you think of the duke's...ahem...techniques?" he asked, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Lisa's face was a deep shade of crimson now, and she couldn't meet Lugard's gaze. She tried to play it cool, but her voice trembled slightly. "I...I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.

Lugard chuckled calmly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, come on, troublemaker. I'm sure you're fascinated by these duke's... creativity."

Lisa's embarrassment turned to frustration. She tried to snatch the book back again, but Lugard held tight. "Give it back, Mr. cold face!" she demanded, trying to sound stern.