Page 10 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
The Duke cleared his throat and released Aurelia once she had returned to her seat. “We have arrived at Oakdale Manor.”
He averted his gaze, giving her a chance to adjust her corset and dress.
Shame filled Aurelia’s cheeks as she realized how quickly she had lost control in his presence. As the sacrificial lamb, she knew she should not give in to his charisma so easily. If she was not more careful, the Duke would end up eating her alive.
“That will be the staff coming to greet us,” he added gruffly as the carriage door opened, revealing a footman in bright blue livery. He exited the carriage without looking back and waited for her to join him.
Aurelia composed herself and took a deep breath, her hand pressed flat against her abdomen. There would be plenty of time to mull over her feelings. What she now needed to do was to tackle her new responsibilities as the Duchess of Oakdale.
Climbing out of the carriage, she gasped when she caught sight of the magnificence that was Oakdale Manor.
An endless row of footmen and maids had lined up in their neat uniforms, hidden almost entirely behind a giant fountain. The craftsmanship of the fountain alone was more than enough to impress her as she took in the hundreds of tiny cherubs pointing their bows to the heavens.
If the number of windows was a measure of size, the manor had more rooms than she could count. The maids must have their work cut out for them to keep the place clean and tidy. The fine stone masonry complimented the buttresses and overly wide stone steps that led up to solid oak doors.
Looking to the side with her mouth slightly agape, Aurelia noted the satisfaction in the Duke’s eyes.
“Welcome to your new dungeon, Duchess.” He smirked at her before heading toward the stone steps.
Catching her breath, Aurelia hurried along and stopped by his side as they reached the long line of servants, who kept their gazes fixed on the floor.
A man whom Aurelia presumed to be the butler rushed forward and bowed. His large belly stood in stark contrast to his thin nose and even thinner legs.
“Welcome to Oakdale Manor, Your Grace. I, along with the rest of the servants, would like to offer our humblest congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thank you…” Aurelia couldn’t help but feel flustered when the butler came forward, revealing his flushed cheeks and arched eyebrows, which reminded her of an owl.
The Duke nodded to an older woman who hurried forward and curtsied. She looked a little younger than the butler, yet her years were evident in the salt and pepper streaks in her dark hair, which had been tied back into a tight bun.
“This is Mrs. Jarrow. She is the housekeeper and will see to all of your needs as you settle in.” Philip nodded at the housekeeper in acknowledgement and moved past her, motioning for the butler and the rest of the staff to retrieve Aurelia’s luggage from the carriage.
A wave of relief washed over Aurelia at the thought of having some distance between them. She wouldn’t have to be so vigilant if he stayed away.
But he is the only one who knows the truth.
A feeling of dread settled in her stomach when she realized that she needed his company. He was the only person who could give her answers. If he was to isolate her, how would she achieve this if she never saw him?
The housekeeper drew her attention back to the present. “Would you like a tour of the house before I show you to your chambers, Your Grace? Or would you rather leave that for another day? I am sure you’re quite tired after such a long day.”
Her caring words were like a balm to Aurelia’s exhaustion.
“I think I would like a bath and some rest if you do not mind, Mrs. Jarrow. As you said, it has been quite a long day.” Aurelia offered the woman a warm smile and took a moment to examine her features.
Mrs. Jarrow wasn’t an unattractive woman. Her slender features and long nose spoke of an elegance that belied her station. She had the face of a woman who would have been considered noble if fate had been kinder to her.
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mrs. Jarrow curtsied again, before nodding to some of the maids who quickly disappeared around the corner of the house.
Aurelia wasn’t sure if she had been mistaken, but she thought she had detected a trace of skepticism in the housekeeper’s eyes.Shaking off the feeling, she followed the woman up the stairs and into the house.
The inside of Oakdale Manor was almost as impressive as the exterior. The white marble floor shone like a mirror. The large spiral staircase led to a gallery that boasted many fine paintings and portraits.
“Breathtaking…” Aurelia whispered before she could stop herself.
She hadn’t grown up in a shabby or poor household, yet the Duke’s residence put her ancestral home to shame.
“It is quite magnificent.” Mrs. Jarrow agreed as she stopped beside Aurelia and clasped her hands together in front of her apron. “His Grace insisted on keeping all of the original architecture from his grandfather’s days, whilst making a few alterations to modernize it.”
As the housekeeper spoke, the pride in her voice when she mentioned the Duke made Aurelia look up from her reflection on the floor.
