Page 124 of Bound By the Duke

He shifted slightly, positioning himself against the wall. His hands never left her, firmly pinning her to his lap.

“How do you feel now?” he asked, raising one hand and brushing back stray strands with exquisite gentleness.

The touch made her core clench. She forced herself to breathe, to focus on the question instead of how wet she was becoming.

“Better,” she answered softly. “I only need to eat… and to take my medicine.”

His features smoothed in relief, like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. His thumb brushed her temple tenderly.

“Thank God,” he breathed, pressing a kiss to her ear, then another just beneath it.

His lips lingered there, and her breathing grew ragged.

More,she wanted more.

His lips moved again, grazing her skin, and she almost moaned. Heat rolled through her body in waves, and her nightgown suddenly felt too thin.

If he wanted to claim her now, if he wished to take her on the floorboards, she would not refuse. She wouldbegfor it.

“Percival…” she whispered.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

A knock sounded at the door. Almost immediately, Lady Scovell’s voice rang through, clear and steady.

“Your Graces, breakfast is ready. Do not linger too long.”

The countess didn’t wait for an answer before her footsteps retreated down the corridor.

With a helpless laugh, Aurelia pressed her forehead into her husband’s chest. “Oh, merciful heavens.”

Percival’s arm tightened around her waist, and his lips curved against her hair. “Saved by the knock.”

She tilted her face up, grinning despite herself. Her body still burned with want, with a need that only he could satisfy.

“Let’s have some breakfast, husband.”

The Scovells’ dining hall had always been a place of chatter and clinking silverware. But this morning, as Aurelia entered with Percival at her side, the atmosphere changed.

Nora was the first to move. The moment her sister crossed the threshold, she rose from her chair so fast that her napkin fell to the floor.

“Aurelia!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her.

She wrapped her arms around Aurelia’s shoulders, trembling slightly.

Ever since theincident, Nora had barely seen her. She had waited with bated breath, hoping her sister would be all right. She didn’t know what she did to deserve a sister like Aurelia, and never in a million years would she find an answer.

“Are you well? I—oh, you had me worried. So worried,” Nora whispered against her sister’s shoulder.

Aurelia hugged her back, warmth suffusing her chest. “I am fine, dearest. Truly.”

However, she felt a pang in her heart.

She had been so caught up in her own struggles that she had barely thought of Nora’s wounds. The betrayal of her suitor.

But she knew it wasn’t the time to talk about it. If anything, Aurelia wanted to shield her sister from those shadows, not drag her back into them over breakfast.

When they pulled apart, Nora blinked away the tears in her eyes. She forced a smile, a genuine yet burdened one, before returning to her seat.