Page 1 of Bound By the Duke

CHAPTER 1

“Sir Whiskerton!” Lady Aurelia Frid yelled before landing flat on her bosom.

Goddammit.

She groaned, scrambling to her knees as the pain from her fall registered.

Chasing after her cat under the scorching London sun had certainly not been on her schedule for the day. But her monstrous beauty of a fluffy white cat always managed to surprise her, just like when it had jumped off the carriage earlier.

Now, what should have been a harmless trip had brought her to the grounds of Hyde Park in the most humiliating position ever, with her skirts puffed up like a deflated soufflé.

However, to her embarrassment, she could still see her cat running off, looking like he was having fun darting between noblemen’s legs and tripping them.

“One would think you are a tortured pet, with the way you cherish freedom so,” Aurelia muttered before adjusting her bonnet on her head, which had slipped sideways.

The reality couldn’t be further from that. Sir Whiskerton was a cat spoiled beyond reason, and she was much to blame, since she had found him as a kitten.

Taking a deep breath, Aurelia attempted to pick herself up from the floor before anyone of importance spotted her. It wouldn’t help her escape spinsterhood if any of the still unwed gents were to see her in such an undignified state. However, a wave of laughter interrupted her, stilling her movements.

Aureliaknewthat sound.

The kind of laughter that, though trilled with ladylike amusement, like she had been taught to emulate, hid sinister intentions.

“Oh dear. Do you suppose she’s…quite all right?” came a much too familiar voice, the pitch high and honeyed.

Aurelia didn’t look up. She didn’t need to. She couldfeelthem and the smugness with which they carried themselves. She didn’t even need to see them to know that the quartet would becomplete. They travelled as a group to cause the most damage with honeyed words and charming smiles.

The Catterfield sisters.

Had Aurelia known, she would have wished not to be seen by both unmarried gents and the Catterfield sisters. Her reputation would suffer a worse blow with the girls.

They were so perfectly fashionable and well-connected. Most importantly, they were all married. Daughters like them would be a dream come true for Aurelia’s mother.

“Her ankle must be terribly twisted, poor thing,” another voice added with mock concern.

“Or perhaps it’s her pride.”

When the third one spoke without hiding her mockery, Aurelia huffed. She’d had enough. She pushed herself up slowly from the floor, brushing gravel from her gloves and dignity from her knees.

“Good morning, ladies,” she greeted with a cheeriness that she hoped masked her embarrassment. “Don’t mind me. I was just chasing after my cat. He escaped this morning and led me all the way here. Have you seen him? Tiny, white, green eyes?”

The sisters blinked in synchrony and stared at her for a moment.

Then, the eldest, Dorothea, gave a grin that held a hint of smugness. Instantly, Aurelia knew there wouldn’t be anything pleasant in her words.

“Was he the one who scratched the vicar’s boots during the Sunday sermon?”

Aurelia breathed deeply, feeling her cheeks redden slightly. “He thought they were old boots.”

The women laughedpolitelyat her response, and she smiled at them through clenched teeth.

“Well, if we see your brave-knight cat, we’ll be sure to tell him to return home,” Frances, the youngest, spoke, fanning herself delicately. “But I must remark on how… spirited you are. So veryindependentandstrong.It must be terribly exciting, chasing animals through London.”

Aurelia managed another sweet smile, trying her best to maintain her composure. To anyone listening in on their conversation, they would think they were all having a friendly repartee, and she would be damned before she gave the vipers any more weapons to use against her.

“Indeed.” She nodded. “And you must be terribly brave, daring to wear white on such a gloomy day. We should hope the weather doesn’t turn.”

The silence from the sisters this time was delicious, and she treasured the dumbfounded look on their delicate faces with a secret smirk.