Page 125 of Bound By the Duke

Percival’s hand remained on the small of Aurelia’s back as they moved toward the long table, the gesture protective and strangely possessive.

She didn’t mind it. She actuallylikedit,perhaps too much.

Her parents watched them closely. Lord Scovell, who was seated at the head of the table, rose when she approached. He took her hand in his large, warm one.

“Daughter,” he said gently, giving her an affectionate squeeze, “you look better already. God be praised.”

Aurelia gave a smile, small but sincere. “Thank you, Father,” she answered, before taking a seat.

Lady Scovell’s eyes were sharper and more assessing. They darted from Aurelia to the man sitting beside her. It was impossible to miss the way Percival held her hand beneath the table, the way he refused to release her fingers even after the meal began.

The countess’s lips quirked in thought. Then, with deliberate calm, she spoke, “It appears that the two of you have… reconciled.”

The words set off a chain reaction across the table. Louis raised a brow. Nora paused, with her spoon halfway to her mouth. Aurelia felt her cheeks flush, but she didn’t look away.

Yes, she and Percival had fought. Yes, they had nearly shattered. But here they were, their fingers entwined, their hearts healing.

Lady Scovell folded her hands neatly on her napkin. “Since matters are as they should be,” she continued, “it is time we address what comes next.”

Aurelia slowly looked up. She could sense where the conversation was headed.

“You must start thinking of children,” her mother said plainly, as if it were the most natural transition in the world. “An heir, Aurelia. That is your main duty. You have reconciled, so it is only proper.”

Aurelia’s heart flipped. But beneath the table, she felt Percival’s grip tighten on her hand, as if to ground her.

Her throat went dry. She could still hear Percival’s voice from last night. The rawness of his confession.

His broken whisper echoed in her mind.

“What if childbirth takes you from me, and I’m left holding the pieces?”

She couldn’t—wouldn’t—allow her mother to dictate her life. Not anymore.

Slowly, Aurelia set down her spoon and lifted her gaze. In its light brown depths, there was a calm. But upon closer look, it was more like a gentle storm. The kind that could cut through any hindrances.

Drawing a deep breath, she made up her mind—she would announce her decision in front of everyone, without trying to please one or the other.

At that moment, she wanted to choose herself first. She wanted to choose Percival first. She wanted to choose theirlovefirst.

“We’re not having children,” she declared, her eyes fixed on her mother’s face.

Her words landed like a stone thrown into a still pond. Or the kind that could shatter glass. And the silence that followed was so thick that no one knew how to break it.

But Nora’s shock did it.

“Aurelia?” Her voice was laced with disbelief. “You… you have always said… it was on your list.”

Louis’s gasp followed. A deep frown creased his face, and his brown eyes narrowed with suspicion. Nonetheless, he said nothing.

Still, Aurelia could read the question in his face.

Is the duke forcing you into this?

“Nonsense.” Lady Scovell slammed her mug on the table so suddenly that Nora jumped in her seat. “Do not jest about such matters. You know what is expected of you. A duchess?—”

“This is not a jest,” Aurelia interrupted, her voice quieter yet still firm.

She was tired. Tired of holding back.