A strange heat rose to Delilah's cheeks. She was not prepared for something like this. Feeling so close to Neil immobilized every part of her body. Even the driver and the members of the security detail seemed uncomfortable at the proximity between the two.
—Father.
Neil's voice broke the silence.
It took Delilah a few seconds to regain the clarity of her thoughts. She didn't even immediately grasp that Neil had addressed the Master of the house from which he descended. Escorted by a much larger group of guards and accompanied by the head of the butlers of his noble house, the older man commanded status and prestige simply by appearing.
The butler observed Delilah with evident distrust. His eyes slowly scanned the figure of the unknown young woman. He had heard talk of her over the last few days, but it was the first time he had seen her face to face.
—Is this girl…?
Before he could finish the question, another voice intervened coldly.
—Neil, you do not need to leave the house to consummate your affairs with your mistresses.
Liam Bathory did not cast a single glance at Delilah. In truth, he had never shown interest in her, even when informed that she visited the mansion frequently. Neil barely tilted his face toward his father.
—Do not tell me what I have to do.
The gazes of father and son clashed intensely. For a brief moment, it seemed they were both ready to face off using only the defiant glint in their eyes. The silence became heavy.
It was Wilhelm who finally intervened, breaking the tension with a carefully controlled voice.
—I would like to know what kind of business Young Master Neil has in a place with such unfavorable weather.
The butler took a step forward, studying every gesture of the heir. He had taken the initiative with the clear intention of cornering the beast he had come to hunt. With a bit of luck, he hoped to unmask him in front of his father.
But the situation did not seem to lean in his favor. Neil let out an almost indifferent smile as he wrapped an arm around Delilah's shoulders.
—As you can see —he responded calmly—, one of your guards delayed my dinner this evening. I simply came out to find her.
A brief shadow of disappointment crossed Wilhelm's face. He knew his young master far too well. To him, these sudden displays of affection toward Delilah were an obvious farce. However, in the eyes of Liam Bathory, he had no way to refute it.
For a long time, some of the staff had suspected that Neil maintained a secret relationship with a woman. A woman particularly forbidden to him. To uncover that secret, Wilhelm had spent more time acting as a detective than as a butler. Tonight, he believed he had finally cornered him.
—I find this girl far too young for you —he finally commented, observing Delilah with a slight tilt of his head.
Neil held his gaze with brazen confidence.
—I am aware of that —he responded naturally—. No one would agree if I took a relationship with a girl sixteen years younger than me seriously.
Wilhelm barely smiled, understanding that he had failed completely. Such an opportunity would hardly repeat itself. Even so, he was not a man who gave up easily.
—Wilhelm, I did not come here for this.
Liam's voice interrupted the scene with impatience. He had been brought to that place to see something that, according to the butler, would be "truly interesting." He never imagined it would be his own son.
—Then we should leave —Wilhelm responded with a respectful bow.
He led the way for his lord, but before departing, he cast one last glance toward Neil.
—I was wondering how much longer it will take you to obtain the Zehren mansion —he added with apparent casualness—. Lathasha has no intention of selling it at any cost if it involves us. And now I find you here… with someone who belongs to the group of candidates for Marquis.
Those words were much more than a simple counterattack. Even Liam, who until then seemed disinterested, finally directed his attention toward Delilah. His eyes settled on the young woman's seemingly harmless face.
Neil let out a short laugh.
—You truly intend to question all my methods. You are the worst —he said ironically—. But if I have no other choice, I will tell you.
Before he could continue, Liam raised his hand to stop him.
—I will be waiting for you at home —he ordered calmly—. Take care of the girl first.
Neil tilted his head slightly in respect toward his father. Then he simply watched him leave in silence as the security detail withdrew along with him. When they were finally alone, Wilhelm paused for a moment before departing.
—Not bad, Young Master Neil. You've truly managed.
Neil observed him with evident distaste.
—You should stop sticking your nose into my personal affairs. It's disgusting.
The butler let out a small, amused murmur.
—Young Master Neil… it is even worse to pursue women so young —he responded softly—. Or, rather, to use them as a cover.
After saying that, Wilhelm also withdrew, bidding farewell with a polite bow. Without a doubt, he must be the only man in the world capable of being so reckless in front of Neil Bathory.
When everyone finally vanished from sight, Neil let go of Delilah. The young woman slowly regained her freedom of movement. Despite the confusion still stirring in her mind, she tried desperately not to look like someone who could barely grasp what had just occurred.
However, it was impossible to ignore. All of that… had a great deal to do with her.
♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠