Page 65 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
Lord Cavendish executed a shallow bow, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ah, Your Grace. I could not help but overhear the lovely Lady Devonshire reminding you of your past exploits.” His gaze shifted to Aurelia and the sharpness of his tone was unmistakable. “But of course, we cannot forget the rather unfortunate…incident involving your family, Your Grace.” Hislips curled into a smirk. “I refer to the matter of your father’s involvement in Lord Gabriel’s death.”
Aurelia tensed up, exchanging a glance with Philip.
This is my life now.
She hadn’t thought about it during the first ball they had attended, but she now realized that the issue concerning her father and Gabriel would continue to follow them to every function they would attend, unless she did something about it.
When the thought sank in a familiar ache lanced her heart.
Aurelia felt Philip’s arm flex at her side, ready to spring to her defense. Before he could utter his retort she took a deep breath and decided to face Lord Cavendish on her own.
“What happened was indeed unfortunate, My Lord,” she said, her voice steady although her heart was pounding against her ribcage. “While the matter remains under investigation I have chosen to focus on my family rather than concern myself with the idle gossip of the Ton.”
Her calm and measured response took Lord Cavendish by surprise and he faltered for a moment, his smirk fading.
Philip turned to her in awe with a look of naked admiration. He had been prepared to shield her from the man’s cruel words butthere she was, standing tall and speaking her truth with grace. His heart swelled with pride and respect.
Aurelia briefly met his gaze, offering him a reassuring smile before turning her attention back to Lord Cavendish. “I have no intention of entertaining baseless rumors, My Lord, and I wish you would do the same. My focus is on my husband and our future and that is all that matters to me.”
Philip, now fully composed, slipped his arm around Aurelia’s waist and turned to Lord Cavendish with a cool, measured smile. “You heard my wife,” he said smoothly. “Perhaps it is time for a fresh topic of conversation.”
Without waiting for a reply, he gently pulled Aurelia away from the group, guiding her toward the garden for a moment of privacy.
Once outside, the cool night air wrapped around them and the distant sound of the ball faded into the background.
Philip stopped and turned to Aurelia, his expression both curious and amazed. “What you said in there,” he began slowly, “about focusing on our future…Do you truly mean it?”
He wanted to believe it. He wanted to know when she had experienced a change of heart and what had led up to it.
Aurelia nodded, her gaze softening as she looked up at him. “I do, Philip,” she replied quietly. “I have been thinking about itfor a while now. The constant back and forth about my father and Gabriel…” She paused. “It has been tearing us apart and I’m tired of it. I do not wish to live like that any longer. I still want to know what truly transpired between my father and your late brother, but I want you to know that it does not matter anymore. I want to focus on one thing only; our future together.”
Philip was speechless, overwhelmed by the sincerity in her words.
Christ. She really will be the death of me.
He hadn’t realized how badly he had needed to hear those words until she said them. His hand gently cupped her face as he stared down at her, his heart full of emotion.
“Aurelia,” he whispered, “you do not know how much that means to me.”
She smiled softly, leaning into his touch. “I know, Philip, because it means just as much to me.”
Philip was at a complete loss for words as she leaned in and softly pressed her lips to his.
Dear Lord, thank you.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aurelia stood in front of the mirror adjusting the bodice of her gown as she inspected herself one final time. The pale blue fabric of her dress flowed elegantly around her frame, perfectly accentuating her figure.
Her hair was pinned up, with a few soft curls left to frame her face. She smiled softly at her reflection, a small sense of pride welling within her.
Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into a familiar embrace. She felt the comforting solidity of Philip’s chest against her back and instinctively leaned against him.
His breath tickled her neck as he whispered, “You look beautiful, Aurelia.”
Aurelia’s lips curled into a soft smile as she met his eyes in the mirror. “Thank you,” she said quietly, her voice carrying a note of contentment.
It had been three days since the ball and in that time they had become inseparable.
