Page 74 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
But that life was gone now, swept away the moment she’d married Philip.
Aurelia closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion seep into her bones, not only from the day’s events but from the constant tension between herself and her husband. She had tried so hard to bridge the gap between them, but it seemed as though each time she got close, something else stood in their way.
I cannot fight this battle on my own anymore.
Her father was the key to understanding it all. She just hoped that when she finally confronted him he would give her the truth she so desperately needed.
It was the only hope she had left to hold on to.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Good morning, Your Grace. Your guest has arrived,” the housekeeper of Bridget House announced.
Aurelia stirred in her chair, her gaze unfocused in the dim light of her chamber. She had slept poorly and it showed. The traces of her restless night were etched into the dark shadows beneath her eyes and her skin was paler than usual; a stark contrast to her buttery hair that fell loosely about her shoulders.
She nodded, acknowledging the housekeeper, though her mind felt far away.
My father has finally arrived.
She stood up, smoothing the front of her gown with trembling fingers and glanced in the mirror. The woman that stared back was a version of herself she barely recognized: her eyes red and swollen, her lips pressed together into a thin line from holding back more tears. She had cried throughout the night, the onlyway she could think of to drown the ache in her heart after her bitter confrontation with Philip.
With one last deep breath, Aurelia squared her shoulders and made her way to the drawing room where her father waited.
When she entered, Lord Keldbrooke rose from his chair with a broad smile on his face, a stark contrast to her somber expression. His sharp and unapologetic words sliced through the air before she had an opportunity to speak.
“So, what is it, then? Has he agreed to the divorce?” he asked, a sense of eagerness in his tone.
Aurelia stopped in her tracks, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. “Divorce?” she echoed, stunned. “You think my quarrel with Philip is grounds for divorce?”
“Of course,” Lord Keldbrooke replied without hesitation. “You heard him, did you not? He said he no longer trusts you. What is the point of remaining in such a marriage?”
Aurelia’s heart clenched with a mix of disbelief and rage. Her father’s words felt like a betrayal.
“Is that what you want?” she asked, her voice trembling. “To see me divorced from him because of a single argument?”
Lord Keldbrooke’s expression hardened. “Yes. The man kept you from me; his arrogance knows no bounds. After all of this, how could you consider staying?”
Aurelia’s anger flared. “Will you sit there and lie to me about your involvement in Gabriel’s death?” she demanded, her eyes flashing with accusation and hope that perhaps, just perhaps, she had been wrong all along.
Her father’s expression remained impassive for a moment before his lips twisted into a faint smile. “I did not kill him, Aurelia. The duel was Gabriel’s idea, not mine. He was a poor shot, and it was his fatal mistake.”
Aurelia had prepared for this. “I spoke to the loan sharks,” she lied, her gaze steady on him. “They told me otherwise.”
The change in Lord Keldbrooke’s expression was instant. Gone was the calm composure. His eyes darkened with anger, his mouth twisting into a sneer.
“Those sly bastards,” he spat, pacing the length of the room in agitation. “Fine. Yes, I owed Gabriel money. But what of it?” He turned to her, his eyes gleaming maniacally. “I knew he would demand a duel. He always fancied himself a better shot, so I arranged for someone to tamper with his gun.”
Aurelia’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared at her father, the force of his admission crashing into her.
“So what if I did it?” Lord Keldbrooke continued, his voice rising. “Did I not do what was best for you? Think, Aurelia! If I had died in that duel, you would have had no one to look after you, no one to care for you. You would have been alone, left to fend for yourself. Instead, I survived. I stayed alive long enough to see you married to a Duke, for heaven’s sake!”
Aurelia stood frozen, her mind reeling. Everything Philip had said was true. Her father had not only gambled recklessly with their future but had schemed and plottedexactlyas Philip had warned her. Philip had not kept these secrets from her to protect himself, but to protectherfrom the harsh truth about the man who had raised her.
Lord Keldbrooke continued ranting. “You are such a fool, Aurelia, falling for that Duke. But now you see his true nature, do you not? He does not trust you. He does not want you. You are finally free of him.”
Aurelia’s heart ached, but her resolve grew stronger. “What would you have me do, Father?” she asked, her voice sharp with accusation. “What would you have me do now?”
Lord Keldbrooke leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “Take whatever you can from him. He is aDuke, Aurelia. He has wealth, lands and influence. You have been living in luxury. Take advantage of that, get what you can and move on.”
