Page 39 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
Am I in trouble for staring at him?Her mind emptied as she felt him approach her from behind. Without a word, he handed her a small card.
“What is this?” she asked, taking it from him. She opened the card and read the invitation. Her brow furrowed. “A ball?”
“We are expected to attend a ball,” Philip said, his tone flat.
Aurelia raised an eyebrow. “We?”
“Yes,” he confirmed, stepping closer. “As the Duke and Duchess of Oakdale, it is imperative that we keep up appearances. Wemust attend and show a united front. I would like for you to practice your etiquette to ensure you will act in a manner befitting a Duchess.”
Aurelia’s gaze flicked from the card to Philip, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You truly believe that I need to check myself?” Her voice was steady, though there was a sharp edge to her words.
Philip met her gaze without flinching. “Yes,” he said simply.
The audacity of his reply stung her deeply.
Aurelia narrowed her eyes, her temper rising. “I see. Well, if you think so little of me, I shall save you the embarrassment. I am not attending.”
She turned to leave, but before she could take more than a step, Philip’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. His grip was firm and unyielding.
“Do not make me repeat myself, Aurelia,” he warned, his voice low and cold.
There was something in the way he said her name, like it was a curse. It was much different from how he’d said it the last time.
Aurelia yanked her hand back, attempting to free herself from his grip. “Let go of me,” she hissed, her frustration mounting.
She pulled harder but his grip only tightened.
“Isaid…”
He released her, stepping back as though her proximity was a threat.
“You will accompany me to the ball,” he said abruptly, his voice still cold. “We cannot afford a scandal.”
Before she could respond Philip turned on his heels and strode from her room, leaving her standing alone on the balcony, her mind reeling.
She tentatively touched her wrist where his hand had gripped it. Her skin still tingled from the intensity of his hold, but her thoughts were no longer focused on the temporary ache.
She still needed to find the chink in his armor.
Eilidh was busy carefully adjusting Aurelia’s hair for the ball, pinning back the last curl before stepping back to admire her handiwork.
“Are you all right, Your Grace?” Eilidh asked, her voice soft yet filled with concern. She had noticed her mistress wasn’t as excited to dress up as she usually was.
Aurelia met her maid’s gaze in the mirror and forced a smile. “I am perfectly fine, Eilidh. It is merely the excitement of the upcoming evening.”
But the reflection staring back at her betrayed her unease. Dressed in a gown of pale gold silk, embroidered with the finest lace, Aurelia looked every inch the Duchess. Her hair had been swept into an elegant knot and was adorned with delicate pearls.
Everything was perfect on the outside, at least.
Aurelia rose from her chair and quickly walked out of her room. She had been keeping Philip waiting for quite some time, and it was by sheer luck and his need to appear as a united front that he had not left without her.
Deep down she wished he would, but there was another reason she had agreed to attend the ball. It was a chance, an opportunity for her to finally see her father for the first time since her wedding.
She smiled.
As she descended the grand staircase, Aurelia felt the weight of Philip’s gaze upon her. He stood waiting at the bottom, impeccably dressed in a dark coat and crisp cravat, his back as stiff as ever. But his eyes betrayed his thoughts.
For just a moment his mask slipped and she saw something raw flit across his face. Was it desire or surprise? Either way, it wasquickly suppressed as he squared his shoulders and offered her his arm.
