Page 38 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Aurelia alone with her thoughts.
What had gone wrong in just one day?
Chapter Fourteen
Philip sat in his study staring sightlessly into the dimly lit fireplace. The flickering flames offered little warmth for the cold resolve building within him.
I did the right thing. I have finally put an end to it.
Whatever fleeting softness had crept into his interactions with Aurelia, whatever dangerous attraction he had begun to feel, it was now over.
He had caught himself before falling too far, before losing control. It was Oliver’s pointed question, his careful observation that made Philip see how perilously close he had come to spiraling into a place of vulnerability.
.He could not afford that. His wife was a pawn, nothing more.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Enter,” he called out.
Mr. Wimbledon stepped inside, carrying a small envelope. He bowed and handed it to Philip. “An invitation, Your Grace,” he announced. “It arrived this morning.”
Philip took the envelope, scanning it quickly before breaking the seal. Inside the envelope was an invitation to a ball scheduled for the following week. He briefly scanned its contents, his mind already wandering.
Perhaps I should tell Aurelia about this.
The thought briefly crossed his mind but he pushed it aside just as quickly. She hadn’t fully healed yet.
Let her first rest and recover.
With a dismissive nod, Philip set the invitation aside and returned to his work.
Days passed, and Aurelia found herself standing on her balcony, gazing at the bright sky. The cool breeze ruffled her hair, a welcome relief from the stillness of her chambers. She had spent much of the day resting, though her mind was far from idle.
The encounter with Philip still lingered, his harsh words echoing throughout her mind.
She took a deep breath as her thoughts wandered, when she caught sight of a figure in the distance.
“Is that…?” She started to ask, but the words were cut off when he turned, his bare chest in full display.
Aurelia took a step back from the balcony, placing a hand on her chest as if to slow her fast-beating heart underneath it. She then blinked, looking around before she stepped forward again, watching him as he ran around with a dog that resembled a wild beast.
She had never seen his naked chest before, but she wasn’t surprised to find he was well-muscled and toned. Aurelia sucked in a breath. She’d known he had strength in his hands, but she didn’t think he also possessed such strong arms held by wide shoulders and a broad chest.
She chastised herself for staring and reminded herself to remain angry with him but she couldn’t help herself. Aurelia pressed herself further against the balcony, and in a split moment, as if sensing her, Philip looked up.
Aurelia backed away from the balcony, shutting her eyes tight and biting her lips hard.
Philip had seen her and caught her staring at him.
“Perhaps I am imagining it,” she said softly to herself and moved forward again, but Philip was no longer there. With a sigh, Aurelia waited in the belief that Philip would return.
A soft knock at her door broke her reverie.
“Come in,” she called absently, expecting Eilidh.
To her surprise it was Philip who entered. He was now fully dressed, his tall frame filling the doorway. She turned toward him, startled by his unexpected presence.
“Your Grace,” she greeted, her tone cautious. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked with an arched eyebrow, trying to mask her nervousness.
