Page 37 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to her maid. “Eilidh,” she said in a low voice, “please return to the house and remain in your chamber until you are summoned.”
Eilidh obeyed without question, curtseying quickly before hurrying into the manor.
Aurelia smiled to herself in satisfaction. Yesterday had passed without her seeing Philip because he had shut himself in his study.
However, when she heard news of the Viscount’s impending visit, she saw it as an opportunity to meet and speak with her husband and perhaps even continue where she had left off mere days ago.
Aurelia had expected some distance between them, but she hadn’t anticipated how much it would bother her. Now she was ready to close the gap, determined to ensure her husband wouldn’t escape her attentions again.
She settled back into her chair, pretending to drink from the glass in her hand, though the heat of the day weighed on her.
A little discomfort for a greater reward.
Moments later, she saw her husband walking toward her.
“Your Grace,” she called out as he approached her, lowering the glass from her lips. “May I have a moment?”
Philip glanced in her direction, his expression unreadable, though he paused as if considering her request.
Aurelia offered him a faint smile. “I would like to return to my room,” she explained, her voice soft. “But my maid…I sent her to fetch me another glass of juice…and she has not yet returned.”
Philip’s gaze remained fixed on her, as though he was debating something.
Then, without a word, he stepped forward and scooped her up into his arms.
“Oh!” she gasped lightly, surprised that he had not uttered a single word.
She had expected some resistance, expected him to at least tell her to wait for her maid, but this was much better. Still, she could barely suppress the small flutter in her chest as she felt the warmth of his body against her. It was the third time that he’d held her like this.
As he carried her back into the manor and up the stairs, she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his chest.
A quiet satisfaction filled her. This closeness, though perhaps unintended, was a victory.
Once inside her chambers, Philip lowered her gently onto the bed. Aurelia could feel the lingering warmth of his touch.
She glanced up at him, a question perching on the tip of her tongue. “Why did you not come to see me yesterday?”
Philip’s brow furrowed at the sudden question, his back stiffening. “See you?”
Aurelia nodded. “Yes. I thought…you might check in on me to see how I was faring.”
There was a pause, then Philip answered coldly, “We do not have that type of relationship.”
Aurelia blinked, taken aback by the sharpness of his words. “Oh, I see…” she murmured. But she was not ready to let the conversation end there. “I suppose you have found my attempts at seduction rather tiresome, then?”
Philip’s jaw tightened. “Entertaining, yes. But now they have become a burden. I would prefer it if you stopped.”
The bluntness of his reply hit her harder than she had expected, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she met his gaze, her voice steady. “I see. And what of us, then? Are we not to move forward at all?”
His expression darkened. “Move forward?” He took a step closer to her, his eyes narrowing. “Have you forgotten so quickly? Your father remains a murderer, wife. You are nothing more than payment for his debts.”
The words struck her like a blow. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest but she kept her composure. She would not let him see her falter.
“You would do well,” he continued, his voice hard, “to remember your place in all of this.”
Aurelia’s eyes searched his face, looking for any sign of the man who had lifted her in his arms so gently and carried her to her room, but all she saw was cold resolve.
“And now,” Philip added, stepping away from the bed, “I have other matters to deal with.”
