Page 33 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
It is the only thing he can do to continue to resist me.Aurelia tried to suppress the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Philip watched her from a few steps away, his brow furrowing. He saw the discomfort on her face, and despite himself, a pang of guilt gnawed at him. He hadn’t meant to push her that far.
“Are you all right?” His voice softened as he took a step toward her, his earlier edge of cruelty fading away.
Aurelia did not respond. Instead, she stood and brushed her hands over her dress, intending to walk away from him, ignoring his concern. But the moment she placed weight on her foot, pain shot up her leg. She twisted her ankle awkwardly and before she could catch herself, she stumbled.
Philip was beside her in an instant, his hands catching her before she fell, pulling her tightly into his arms.
Her breath hitched when she looked up at him, their eyes locking. For a moment time itself seemed to stand still and they were no longer in the woods by a lake, but somewhere far more intimate. She could feel the warmth of his body seeping through her dress, and the strength of his arms as he held her close. His eyes, so often filled with disdain or amusement, now softened as they traced the lines of her face.
For a heartbeat she believed he might kiss her. Her pulse quickened and she felt his breath mingle with hers as the space between them shrank.
Just as the moment threatened to overwhelm them, Philip’s expression shifted. He cleared his throat and gently set her back on her feet, though his hands lingered on her waist.
“You are certainly committed to this, are you not.” he observed, his voice low. There was a hint of admiration, though it was lacedwith his usual skepticism. “I must admit, I am impressed by your fortitude.”
Aurelia opened her mouth to respond, a retort hanging on the tip of her tongue, but before she could speak a sharp pain radiated from her ankle again and she winced, gripping his arm tightly for support.
Philip’s eyes immediately widened in alarm, the teasing edge evaporating from his demeanor.
“You are injured,” he noted, his tone suddenly serious. He knelt before her, his hands moving to her leg. “Why did you not say anything?”
“I…”
Aurelia tried to protest but he was already inspecting her ankle. She winced again as his fingers pressed lightly against the swelling.
He frowned, standing up abruptly, his hand running through his hair as he assessed the situation.
“Well, this complicates things,” he muttered, glancing between her and the horse. “There is only one option, and I doubt you will like it,” he said, meeting her eyes. His voice was gentler now, its usual harshness replaced with concern. “We must return home on horseback and call for the physician, meaning you will have to endure the pain for a while longer.”
Aurelia nodded, trying to maintain her composure, though the throbbing in her ankle made it difficult.
Sensing her discomfort, Philip wasted no time. He carefully scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing and lifted her with a tenderness she hadn’t expected from him, making sure not to touch her ankle as he carried her to the horse.
“This is why I did not want you to come along,” he muttered under his breath, but she’d heard him.
“You speak as though you did not purposely try to harm me,” she retorted in the same tone.
Philip said nothing because she was right. He instead placed her gently on the saddle, ensuring she was seated properly, her legs draped over one side.
When he mounted behind her his arms wrapped around to steady her as they began their slow journey back.
The ride was far gentler this time, Philip controlling the horse’s pace with the utmost care. His focus was entirely on Aurelia, his arms tightening around her each time they encountered a slight bump on the path.
The silence between them was thick, not with tension but with unspoken thoughts. She could feel the warmth of his body against her back. Despite the pain in her ankle she couldn’t helpbut notice how protective he had become. Every so often she felt his gaze on her, checking to see if she was in pain.
She knew this was a small victory: Philip’s reaction, his obvious concern. It wasn’t just a result of his guilt over her injury. No, she had gotten under his skin. He could resist her all he wanted, but she had won a portion of this battle. Now she only had to push a little further.
As they approached the estate, Philip tightened his grip on her waist. “Once we are home, I will call for the physician,” he said, his voice unusually soft. “I will ensure that you are well taken care of.”
Aurelia glanced silently behind her, meeting his gaze. The way he looked at her spoke volumes. She had crossed into dangerous territory.
But that was exactly what she needed.
Upon their arrival at Oakdale Manor the atmosphere became charged with activity. Philip barked orders at Mr. Wimbledon the moment his boots touched the gravel path.
“Send for the physician immediately,” he commanded as he effortlessly scooped Aurelia up into his arms once again.
