Page 60 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
“Leave us,” Philip ordered quietly, peering over her shoulder.
The maid bobbed another curtsy before hastily exiting the bedchamber.
Aurelia stood in the middle of the room, her hands folded in front of her, surprise shining in her eyes as Philip strode in. She was dressed simply in a pale blue gown that complemented her fair complexion, her hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves. She looked beautiful, though he refrained from voicing the thought aloud.
“What brings you here?” she asked, her voice cautious.
Philip took a step closer, his eyes searching hers for a moment. “I plan on taking a stroll into town,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt. “Would you care to accompany me?”
Aurelia blinked, her wariness now replaced by a spark of excitement. “Truly?” she asked, her voice pitching in hopeful delight.
Philip’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “Truly.”
Aurelia beamed at him, the tension of the past few days seemingly forgotten in that instant. “I would love to! I must change, of course, but I shall be ready shortly.”
Philip inclined his head. “I will wait for you downstairs.”
He turned around and made his way to the door, but just as he was about to leave, he glanced over his shoulder. The sight of her standing there, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks flushed with excitement, filled him with a warmth he had not anticipated.
He allowed the smallest of smiles to curve his lips as he left her room.
Once downstairs, Philip waited by the door, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out the window. The idea of showing Aurelia the duchy felt like a step in the right direction; a way to rebuild the fragile bridge between them. He hadn’t beenhonest with her about her father, but today, perhaps he could begin to change that.
A few minutes later, the sound of soft footsteps alerted him to her presence. He turned to watch her descending the stairs, now dressed in a dark green walking gown that hugged her figure elegantly. Her maid had twisted her hair into a neat chignon, and she looked every bit like the Duchess that she was.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he extended his arm. “Shall we?”
Aurelia smiled as she looped her arm through his. “We shall.”
Aurelia’s excitement was palpable as she took in the village with wide, appreciative eyes. Every detail seemed new to her, despite having lived at Oakdale Manor for a month.
She marveled at the quiet streets, the charming rows of shops and the friendly townspeople who passed by with smiles and nods. It was as though she had been asleep for weeks and now, for the first time, she was fully awake.
Philip walked beside her, watching her with a quiet sense of longing. Her childlike enthusiasm was refreshing; a stark contrast to her father’s vileness.
As she waved to passersby and even stopped to help an elderly woman purchase flowers for her grandchildren, Philip couldn’t help but feel a tinge of admiration. Aurelia was kind-hearted, more so than he had given her credit for, and she had clearly needed an escape from the confines of the estate; a chance to breathe and interact with the world around her.
As they strolled past a bustling row of shops, Philip glanced at her with a smile.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Duchess?” he asked, his tone teasing.
Aurelia turned to him, her face alight with genuine joy. “I am,” she admitted. “I did not expect Oakdale to be so beautiful.”
Philip’s chest swelled with pride at her praise. It was his home and his land, and hearing her admire it stirred up a sense of satisfaction deep within him.
“It is,” he agreed, his smile softening. “Though I daresay it is more beautiful with you in it.”
Aurelia’s happiness was nearly infectious. She hadn’t known what to expect after their last encounter in the parlor. Philip had left her to converse with Oliver, and afterwards he had buried himself in his work, neglecting to come down for dinner or return to his chambers. He had spent the night in his study and Aurelia had wondered if they would fall back into the cold distance that had marked much of their marriage to date.
Today felt different. As they walked together Philip was relaxed, even playful. Aurelia worried that all it would take to shatter this fragile peace was the mention of her father.
The weight of not knowing the truth about her father’s actions pressed down on her, and she feared she would not fully enjoy Philip’s company until she learned everything.
Her inner turmoil must have been written all over her face, for Philip glanced at her intently as they walked, his expression growing concerned.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice low and intimate as he slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer.
Aurelia stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm. “Philip!” she gasped, pulling away from him, her cheeks flushing a bright red. She glanced around, mortified that someone might have witnessed his display of affection. “What if someone saw us?”
