Page 6 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
“Father, you cannot do this. I cannot marry a man who paints you as a villain,” she protested, her cheeks flushing.
Philip noticed how the color contrasted beautifully with her milky complexion. Having someone like Aurelia as his bride wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, even if he’d have to tame her.
She glared at him, balling her fists at her sides in fiery indignation.
The Earl shot his daughter a warning look before pleading with Philip once again. “Please, Your Grace.”
Philip ran his index finger over his jawline, considering the offer. The Earl’s only daughter, under his roof.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
“I accept your offer, Lord Keldbrooke. In exchange, I will waive the dowry and cancel half of the debt.”
“That is most generous indeed, Your Grace.” The Earl began to bow repeatedly as if he were addressing the King.
Aurelia took a step forward. “I will not…”
“Silence! You will do as you are told!” her father reprimanded her, lifting his hand.
She clamped her mouth shut, her eyes darkening with hurt.
The Earl cleared his throat apologetically and turned back to Philip. “Is there anything I can do as far as the arrangements for the wedding? I cannot guarantee a lavish ceremony, but I…” he trailed off when Philip shot him a scornful look.
“I will see to the arrangements. The wedding is to take place in two days. I shall be waiting for my bride.” Philip allowed his gaze to wander over Aurelia’s curvy figure before turning and leaving the room.
Her protests echoed behind him as he left the mansion.
Although Aurelia was displeased with the arrangement, he couldn’t think of a better way to punish her father, for he was going to take away the thing he cherished the most.
Chapter Three
“Aurelia, it is time.” The Earl stepped out of the carriage and came to her side.
The large doors that led into the chapel felt too big for Aurelia as she took a deep breath and braced herself for the day ahead. Her father was about to sign her life over to a man she barely knew.
A light breeze lifted her veil, offering little reassurance as she stood on the steps in her brand-new wedding dress. The Duke had sent money for new garments. Although the fabric felt soft and light against her skin, she couldn’t help but feel it was a net, ensnaring every part of her so tightly that she could not breathe.
“We had better get going. The Duke doesn’t strike me as a patient man,” she snapped, hiking up the skirts of her champagne-colored dress as she climbed the steps.
Her father hurried to keep up with her, opening the doors as soon as he reached the top step.
Aurelia had managed to keep away from the Earl for the past two days, to allow herself more time to come to terms with the truth. A small part of her still wondered if a mistake had been made. The caring man who had raised her could not be this man who had sold her to a brutish, vengeful stranger.
Her breath caught in her chest at the sight of the Duke of Oakdale standing at the altar. Despite everything that had transpired, she had not forgotten how handsome he was. His thick brown hair was neater this time, and his piercing green eyes met hers from afar. The richness of the green hue drew her in, despite the thudding of her heart.
“Shall we?” her father spoke up at her side, taking her arm and looping it through his own.
The walk down the aisle seemed to take forever. As they approached the altar, the Duke’s eyes glimmered with a strange emotion that Aurelia couldn’t quite decipher.
They finally came to a stop before the Duke, and the Earl let go of Aurelia’s arm.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
Aurelia almost jumped as she tore her gaze away from the Duke and looked at the vicar that stood before them. The old man had hair whiter than snow and spoke to the small audience that only consisted of her father and a dark-haired man she had never met.
The Duke had written to her father after their meeting, advising him that there wouldn’t be any guests in attendance other than the two of them.
“Marriage is a holy ordinance that is not to be entered into lightly. It is to be taken with the utmost seriousness with a sober mind.” The vicar paused and looked from Aurelia to Philip with a furrowed brow, giving them both a moment to consider his words.
