Page 80 of Bound By the Duke
“Hyacinth,” she breathed. “I received her letter at dawn, and now she is here.”
The name softened him instantly, though he would never admit it aloud.
He released a slow breath through his nose, silently cursing himself.
Fool. You sound like a jealous boy, demanding names as though you own her every thought. And yet… perhaps I do.
“I see.” Without thought, his fingers squeezed her shoulders once.
When he realized what he had done, he quickly let go as though her skin had burned him, withdrawing his hands and folding them behind his back.
Aurelia noticed the way his jaw tightened, his eyes studying the cobblestones instead of her face.
“Is something the matter?” She tilted her head, her brow creasing with concern.
He looked at her now. It was ironic. Because the ‘matter’ itself was the one demanding an answer. How was he going to reveal to her that she drove him to the edge of madness?
“No,” he responded nonetheless, almost too quickly. “Nothing’s the matter.”
She did not believe him. Her brown eyes told him so. But before she could press further, a bright, delighted voice broke through the tension.
“Aurelia!”
Hyacinth’s unmistakable laughter followed. It carried through the space like music. Instantly, Aurelia’s face broke into a wide, genuine smile.
“Hyacinth!” She turned around, squinting her eyes to see her friend approach.
Without a second thought, she moved away from her husband, ready to meet her friend.
The ladies collided halfway, their arms tangling in a fierce embrace. They laughed together, a sound that spoke of years of secrets, stolen sweets, and girlish dreams.
“You look radiant,” Hyacinth noted, pulling back only to take in Aurelia’s dress. “Positively radiant. Married life agrees with you.”
Though her cheeks warmed, Aurelia rolled her eyes. “And you look like spring itself in that color. Lavender suits you far too well; it is unfair to the rest of us.”
They laughed again, Hyacinth squeezing her hands. “Oh, I have missed this. I could hardly sleep, thinking of seeing you. London will not know what has hit it with us together.”
“I fear you are right,” Aurelia teased with a grin.
From a distance, Percival watched. His arms remained folded, his back rigid, but his eyes betrayed him. He could not look away from his wife, the light in her eyes, and the way she glowed under her friend’s affection.
She laughs with such abandon.
It undid something within him. That particular reckless smile of hers, she had only turned it toward him in fleeting moments.
But then, realizing that he was losing control again, he pushed the thought away, clearing his throat.
Enough.He had married her for the sake of his daughter, not to get his stupid heart involved.
But deep down, Aurelia scared him like flames. He feared that if he drew too close, he might burn.
“Come,” Hyacinth tugged on her hand eagerly. “We must take a walk. The city awaits. I will not waste a second of this day.”
“Of course.” Aurelia’s eyes sparkled.
But before she let her friend drag her away, she turned back.
Percival was still standing a short distance away, his figure tall and imposing. Despite his unreadable expression, something about him seemed… off. Like he was troubled. The lines around his mouth were deeper, his gaze shadowed.
