Page 80 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
They seized Lord Keldbrooke, pulling him roughly to his feet as he cursed and spat in protest, but there was no more fight left in him. The totality of his ruin was clear in his wild, desperate eyes.
Aurelia stood frozen, her heart racing as she watched the father she once revered being dragged away in shackles. Tears continued streaming down her face and her whole body shook fiercely with emotion.
When Philip turned back to her the sternness faded from his face and was replaced with something softer and more tender. He stepped toward her slowly and uncertainly, his own flurry of emotions heavy in his heart.
“Philip,” Aurelia said, her voice thick with regret. “I am so sorry. I should have trusted you from the beginning.” She wiped at her tears, struggling to find her voice through her grief. “I…I didnot know what to believe, Philip. I was so confused, but I now see everything so clearly. My father…he was never the man I believed him to be.” She looked down, her voice dropping to a whisper. “And I lost you because of that.”
Philip reached for her hands, holding them gently in his own. “You never lost me, Aurelia. I was a fool, blinded by my pain and my suspicions, but I never stopped loving you, not for a single moment.”
Her heart leaped at his words and she met his gaze, searching his eyes for the truth. The love, longing and regret that shone in his eyes was undeniable. It was all laid bare before her and it made her heart ache.
“I love you, Aurelia,” he said, his voice breaking with the depth of his feelings. “I always have and I always will. Can you ever forgive me for those terrible things I said to you?”
Aurelia’s breath hitched, her heart swelling as his words washed over her. She squeezed his hands, stepping closer until they were toe to toe.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she whispered. “I love you too, Philip.”
A sob caught in her throat and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as the weight of everything that had passed between them began to dissolve.
Philip held her tightly, his heart pounding with relief and joy as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.
“I was so afraid I had lost you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
“You will never lose me,” she whispered back, lifting her face to meet his gaze. “I am yours, Philip. Always.”
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
Oakdale Manor was just the same as Aurelia remembered, big and imposing, with years of memories embedded in every wall, hall, chamber and drawing room. Now, as she stared at it, she smiled.
They sat comfortably in the plush chairs by the fire, their hands entwined as they smiled at their friends who were seated around them, each cozy with their partners…except for Oliver.
Catherine looked wistfully at the empty chair beside her, a delicate sigh escaping her lips.
“It feels odd not having Oliver here with us tonight. He used to be the life of these gatherings,” she said and Aurelia felt a pang of sympathy for her.
Thomas took her hand, his gaze warm and reassuring. “He has carried a heavy burden since the fire, love. Taking on the dukedom has changed him, I fear.”
Aurelia had heard about the terrible fire that took the lives of the late Duke of Westgrave and his two sons. Oliver had been the closest surviving male relative and the sole heir to the duchy.
Catherine nodded, her expression clouded with worry. “When he inherited the title after our uncle and his cousins perished, it was as if he became someone else overnight. Gone was the lighthearted brother I knew. He’s become so…so determined not to be like Father.”
“Indeed,” Thomas murmured, “Though I fear he holds himself to impossible standards. He thinks he must be the perfect Duke, disciplined and unyielding, because he views any hint of leniency as a step towards turning into your late father.”
Catherine’s gaze softened. “I only wish he would allow himself some respite. He need not bear this burden alone. There is still laughter and joy to be had, even amidst duty.”
Thomas squeezed her hand. “Perhaps, in time he will come to see that. He is lucky to have a sister who cares so deeply for him.”
Catherine sighed but she quickly shook her head, as if to cast away the worrisome thoughts about her brother.
Then, she leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Come now, Aurelia! You must tell us about your journey to Arabia. Was it as exotic as we hear?”
Aurelia exchanged a glance with Philip, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Oh, it was quite the adventure, indeed,” she began. “Though I daresay, the camels were not what I had expected.”
Philip chuckled, his deep voice echoing through the room. “That is putting it mildly. The moment she was placed on camelback the entire desert probably heard her scream. She refused to stop until she was firmly back on solid ground.”
Beatrice laughed, fluttering her fan playfully in front of her face. “Surely you exaggerate!”
