Page 59 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
Oliver shrugged. “I am not claiming to know everything, but I do know this: Aurelia is not someone you can keep in the shadows. She is smart, Philip. She will unearth the truth one way or another.”
“Have you appointed yourself as her savior?” Philip shot back, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Oliver shook his head. “Do not be ridiculous. I am not here to swoop in and save anyone. I am just pointing out the obvious. The more you push her away, the more you risk losing her. And, from what I have witnessed thus far, you care more deeply for her than you are willing to admit.”
Philip clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to lash out. He hated the way Oliver could see through him, as if he was reading his thoughts.
“She is my wife,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
“And I am well aware of that,” Oliver replied calmly. “Which is why I am telling you to stop letting your pride and fear get in the way. She is not going anywhere unless you give her good reason to leave.”
Philip clenched his hands into fists. He wasn’t used to feeling vulnerable, but the truth was the thought of losing Aurelia distressed him greatly.
“Look,” Oliver continued, his tone softening. “I am not here to interfere. Whatever is going on between you two, that is your business. I just hope you see that shutting her out is not the solution.”
Philip remained silent, though he was clearly pondering over his friend’s words.
Oliver took another sip of tea before setting the cup down with a satisfied sigh.
“By the way, this tea is excellent,” he commented, trying to lighten the mood.
Philip’s lips twitched, but he didn’t respond to the attempt at humor. He would never admit it, but Oliver was correct in everything he had said.
If I do not want to lose what little affection Aurelia has for me, I must change.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Change, Your Grace?” Mrs. Jarrow repeated, a little taken aback. “I do not believe I have advice for you in such matters. Please forgive me.”
Philip leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the older woman. It was a rare thing for him to seek counsel from anyone, especially on personal matters, but he’d hoped that Mrs. Jarrow would have a solution to his question since she was also a woman.
The discord between himself and Aurelia had been bothering him since the previous day, and for the first time in a long while he found himself lost.
Mrs. Jarrow hesitantly shifted on her feet but continued, her voice softening with sympathy.
“If this matter concerns Her Grace, then I would respectfully advise you to spend time with her, Your Grace. Do somethingwith her. And perhaps…” She paused, watching his face closely. “Perhaps tell her the truth about her father. If she does not know everything, she will continue to harbor loyalty for him.”
Philip was stunned into silence. It felt as though everyone in his circle was on a mission to make him tell his wife everything about Keldbrooke’s nefarious involvements.
He had summoned the housekeeper with the hope of receiving a simple answer, something that could mend the rift between himself and Aurelia, but now the truth of it weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Seeing his silence, Mrs. Jarrow offered him a small smile to ease the burden of her words. “Perhaps you might start by giving her a tour of the dukedom,” she suggested. “Her Grace is the Duchess but the people have only seen her once and that was on your wedding day.”
Philip sat up straighter in his chair, the idea sparking something within him. He had been so focused on their strained relationship that he hadn’t thought to introduce Aurelia properly to their people, to show her the lands she was now part of.
“That…that is an excellent idea,” Philip acknowledged, his voice softer than it had been all morning. He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening with new determination. “Where is she now?”
“I believe I saw Her Grace entering her room when I was on my way to you,” Mrs. Jarrow replied, her voice tinged with warmth.
Philip gave a curt nod. “Thank you, Mrs. Jarrow. That will be all.”
She dropped into a respectful curtsy. “Of course, Your Grace.”
Philip rose from his desk, the tension easing slightly in his shoulders. He marched toward Aurelia’s room with a newfound purpose, his mind already turning over what he would say. He could hear his heart beating in his chest, each step bringing him closer to her.
When he reached her door, he knocked twice.
Her maid startled and quickly opened the door, her eyes widening at the sight of him. “Your Grace.” She curtsied quickly. “How may I…”
