Page 62 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
The sincerity in her voice caught Aurelia off guard. She had expected coldness, but in its place there was genuine kindness in the woman’s words. Something in Aurelia softened.
“No,” she said gently, her smile returning, “I think we can proceed today. I am eager to learn.”
Mrs. Jarrow smiled again and motioned for Aurelia to follow her.
As they walked through the grand halls of Oakdale Manor, the housekeeper began explaining the household’s workings. Sheshowed Aurelia the ledgers, discussed the staff’s responsibilities, and even shared small, useful details about managing the estate’s vast grounds. Despite herself, Aurelia found the many tasks to be less daunting than she had imagined.
As they made their way to the kitchens Mrs. Jarrow suddenly stopped, turning to face Aurelia. “Your Grace,” she began hesitantly. “I owe you an apology.”
Aurelia turned to face her, surprised. “An apology?”
Mrs. Jarrow nodded. “I have not been kind to you. When you first arrived, I believed I was protecting His Grace by keeping my distance from you. I have served this family for many years, and I have seen His Grace suffer in ways you could never imagine. I was wary of anyone who might cause him more pain.”
Aurelia considered her words for a moment before nodding. “I understand. I would have likely done the same, had I been in your position.”
Mrs. Jarrow looked relieved. “Thank you, Your Grace. I now see that you are not a threat. In fact, you have brought something out in His Grace. Something…better than he was before you arrived. He is not as distant as he used to be.”
Aurelia smiled, a sense of pride washing over her in the wake of the housekeeper’s compliment. “Could you tell me more about Philip? I know so little of his past.”
Mrs. Jarrow smiled wistfully. “Ah, His Grace and Lord Gabriel. When they were young, their home was far from peaceful. Their parents…well, they were known for being deeply in love with each other, but a love of that intensity also had its downsides. Although they appeared happy on the outside, things were not always the best on the inside.”
She paused to catch her breath and then continued. “Even as a boy and despite being the younger sibling, His Grace was fiercely protective of Lord Gabriel. He would always shield him from the worst of their parents’ outbursts. I remember once, after a particularly bad argument between their parents, Lord Gabriel was crying in his room. His Grace sat with him all night, telling him stories and keeping him calm.”
Aurelia felt a pang in her chest. She could envision Philip as a boy and felt the weight of the responsibility he must have carried from such an early age.
“I never knew,” she whispered.
Mrs. Jarrow nodded. “Few do. His Grace does not speak of it, but it shaped him into the man he is today. He is guarded but also strong. Now, with you, perhaps he can begin to heal.”
As they continued their walk, Aurelia found herself deep in thought. The past, with all its mysteries and pain, felt distant now. What mattered was her future with Philip. Aurelia slowly grasped that it was time to let go of her old life and focus on building something new.
She glanced at Mrs. Jarrow, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Mrs. Jarrow smiled. “You are most welcome, Your Grace.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“How have you been faring with your lessons?” Philip’s voice was low and intimate, his breath warm against Aurelia’s ear as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms securely around her waist.
They stood in front of the window in her room, gazing out at the quiet gardens of Oakdale Manor. The air outside was cool and the sky was streaked with the fading colors of the day.
Aurelia tilted her head slightly, leaning back against him. “They have been quite informative. Mrs. Jarrow has been a wonderful teacher.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Philip murmured, his lips brushing against her temple. His arms tightened around her briefly in an affectionate squeeze. “But I must say, you have been rather neglectful of your husband this past week.”
Aurelia blushed a deep shade of crimson at his playful accusation, shaking her head in embarrassment. “I have not.”
Philip chuckled softly, his hands moving to her waist as he turned her to face him. “Perhaps not intentionally,” he said with a grin. “But still.”
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small envelope, offering it to her. “Here, I have something for you.”
Curious, Aurelia took the envelope and opened it, finding a formal invitation within. Her eyes skimmed over the elegant handwriting.
“It is an invitation to a ball in five days’ time,” Philip explained as she read.
Aurelia looked up at him, a smile in her eyes. She glanced back down at the invitation. “I shall prepare well for it.”
Philip returned her smile. “I am certain you will,” he said, his voice warm.
