Page 44 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
Aurelia turned around, her face lighting up as she saw Viscount Whitley approaching her. His easy smile and warm demeanor were a welcome relief.
“Finally, a familiar face,” she said, her shoulders relaxing as he drew nearer.
Oliver grinned, taking her in with a casual glance. “Where is your husband? I thought he would be by your side.”
Aurelia gave a light shrug. “He is here somewhere, I suppose,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. “Although I am not quite sure where.”
Oliver laughed softly, shaking his head. “Typical of Philip. Always disappearing when there is fun to be had. Come,” he urged, offering her his arm, “let me take you to the refreshmentstable. You have had enough wine, and it is high time that you tried some of these desserts.”
Aurelia was surprised by his familiarity with her, but she welcomed it. She couldn’t help but smile at his teasing tone.
She allowed him to lead her across the ballroom to a table laden with cakes, pastries and other delicacies.
“Thank you,” she said as she picked up a small chocolate tart from the display.
Oliver watched her with amusement. “How is your ankle? I suppose it has healed well?”
Aurelia nodded as she took a bite of the sweet confection. “It is much better, thank you. Hardly a bother now.”
“Good, good,” Oliver said, just as two women approached. He turned, smiling broadly. “Ah, Your Grace, allow me to introduce my sister, Lady Catherine Riverton, the Duchess of Newden, and Lady Beatrice Spencer, the Duchess of Dunford. Their husbands are also friends, but I assume you have not yet met them,” he explained.
Aurelia had heard of the other two dukes and their friendship with Philip. All three had garnered a certain reputation before each of them were married.
Heavens, she would never have imagined that one from their group would be married to her.
Both women curtsied politely, their eyes bright with curiosity. Aurelia bobbed a small curtsy in return, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their attention.
“So, Duchess, how are you finding life as the Duchess of Oakdale?” Catherine asked in a friendly but inquisitive tone.
Aurelia hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t quite sure how to answer, not with Philip’s strict warnings echoing in her head. These were his friends, not hers. They certainly viewed her as an enemy, just as he did.
“Oh, it is…blissful,” she replied, her tone not as convincing as she’d hoped.
Catherine’s eyebrow rose, and she let out a light laugh. “Blissful? Really?”
Aurelia’s cheeks flushed. “I…I suppose,” she stammered, feeling the weight of Catherine’s knowing gaze.
“You don’t need to lie to us,” Catherine teased, her eyes sparkling. “I do not blame you. Philip is a difficult man to pin down, is he not?”
Beatrice smiled kindly, her tone more reassuring. “Indeed. You do not have to hold back with us. We may have recently metPhilip, but we are not strangers to his…complexities. If you ever need someone to talk to, you can count on us.”
Aurelia smiled weakly, unsure of how to reply.
Could she really trust them? Sharing her feelings with these women, no matter how kind they seemed, would be risking Philip’s wrath.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Oliver must have sensed her discomfort because he quickly changed the subject.
“So,” he asked with a grin, “how are you enjoying tonight’s ball?”
Aurelia blinked at the question, confused.
“It is your first ball as a married woman. How are you enjoying it?” Oliver clarified.
A small smile spread across Aurelia’s face. She was grateful for the change of topic.
Catherine and Beatrice both laughed, exchanging glances.
“It does not seem so different from when you were just a girl, does it?” Catherine asked, her voice laced with a hint of playfulness, wiggling her eyebrows.
