Page 37 of Bound By the Duke
Lottie gave a faint nod, a timid smile curving the corners of her mouth. “I thought…” She hesitated, extending her arms with great ceremony. “Perhaps you would like something sweet… for breakfast.”
Staring at the treat, Aurelia felt her heart clench. Not because the biscuits were uneven and clearly shaped by small fingers, but because of what they meant.
“My darling, this is the loveliest breakfast I have ever seen. Thank you.” She smiled, taking the tray from the girl’s chubby fingers.
Another small smile tugged at Lottie’s lips before her blue eyes darted around the chamber with shy curiosity. “Did you… Did you enjoy your first night here?”
The question was so innocent, yet it nearly made Aurelia choke. Heat rushed to her cheeks as the memory of Percival’s kiss flashed through her mind, the way he had pressed her against him before he tore himself away as if he were burned.
Lottie blinked at her, waiting.
Aurelia swallowed hard. “Yes.” She cleared her throat in a bid to steady herself. “Yes, my chamber is beautiful. I slept… quite well.”
She forced a smile, hoping it would look natural.
Lottie studied her briefly before nodding again. She glanced down at the tray. “You should eat. They are not very pretty,” she added quietly. “But I thought?—”
“They are perfect,” Aurelia interrupted, her voice firm.
She took a biscuit from the plate and bit into it without hesitation. It tasted sweet on her tongue, warm and soft, a little too sugary, but it was delightful nonetheless.
She closed her eyes briefly in appreciation. “Delicious.”
Lottie’s face brightened at that.
“Tell me, what does a day usually look like for you?” Aurelia asked as she finished the biscuit, before moving to the chaise longue.
“My day?” Lottie repeated, trailing after her. She hesitated before elaborating, “Well, I have an embroidery lesson with Miss Havers at nine. French at ten. Pianoforte until noon. Lunch. Then history, literature, posture lessons, and etiquette practice until supper.”
Aurelia froze mid-step. “All of that… in one day?”
“Yes.” Lottie’s fingers twisted in the folds of her dress, her voice timid and low. “Papa says that a lady must be educated. He says that it is of the utmost importance.”
“Utter rot,” Aurelia murmured to herself.
Ten years old, and her day is that strict? Where is the time for recreation? Thoroughly absurd.
She glanced down at the little girl and then leaned closer. “And do you…” She paused, softening her voice. “Do you enjoy all these lessons?”
Lottie stared at her for a moment before biting her lip with a faint shrug. “Sometimes.” She looked away.
Her response told Aurelia all she needed to know.
While she didn’t want to pry, she would be responsible for the girl’s care, and she wanted her to enjoy her childhood just as she had.
Taking a deep breath, Aurelia placed the tray on the table and then moved to look out the window. The morning sun was stronger now, its warmth spreading across the grounds of the estate. The breeze stirred the leaves, adding more life to the day.
Like Lady Scovell always said, a perfect day should never be wasted.
With that thought in mind, Aurelia turned back to Lottie, a spark of mischief in her chocolate-brown eyes. “What if we tried something different today?”
The girl blinked, her thick brows rising with curiosity. “Different?”
“Yes.” Aurelia stepped closer, reaching and grabbing her hand as though she were inviting her to embark on a grand adventure. “No embroidery. No pianoforte. Just… come with me. We will see where the day takes us.”
Lottie’s face contorted with worry. Her blue eyes widened, and her lips curled around the word ‘no.’ But then she hesitated, as if caught in the hope. The hope of having fun and trying something new.
Aurelia leaned closer, her smile warm and coaxing. “Would you like that, Lottie?” she asked softly.
