Page 38 of Bound By the Duke

The girl looked at her for a long moment before, slowly, so slowly, it came. A nod so small and timid, butreal.

And that was all Aurelia needed.

She squeezed the girl’s hand, her smile stretching wider. “Good. Then let us begin.”

Aurelia did not know exactly where she was leading Lottie. It was her first day as the Duchess of Whitmore, and she barely knew the nooks and crannies.

But that didn’t really matter. Fun didn’t have to be carefully orchestrated.

They walked through the corridors hand in hand, and by the time they reached the rear terrace, the morning had ripened into a gentle gold.

“Would you like to see the flowers?” Lottie asked as they came across the path that led to the garden.

Aurelia stopped in her tracks. She had seen the garden from her chamber window and had been struck by its beauty. She was certain it would look even better up close.

“Certainly.” Her breath hitched with excitement.

They crossed toward a new path, walking along another row of manicured hedges, winding paths, and blooms in every shade.

When they reached the garden, it was like stepping into another world. Roses and lilies blossomed all over the place, with different shades of lavender providing the perfect backdrop.

“It is… exquisite,” Aurelia whispered, drinking in the sight before her.

Lottie smiled. “You like flowers?”

“Very much.” Aurelia crouched beside a bed of violets and tenderly brushed their petals. “My mother has a garden. Nothing nearly as grand as this, but I used to spend hours there, learning the names of every blossom.”

“That must be great,” Lottie said, her expression no longer strained. A smile played on her lips, the biggest Aurelia had ever seen from her. “I love them too. I also love to draw them.”

“You must be so talented. I would love to see your art.” Aurelia straightened up to pat the girl on the shoulder.

Lottie nodded shyly, but then her eyes caught something. She stepped forward, pointing to a cluster of pink peonies.

“Those are Papa’s favorites. He says that they remind him of—” She broke off, biting her lip and looking away as though she had said too much.

Aurelia swallowed past the sudden ache in her throat. She tried not to think much about the unspoken words and why Lottie had refrained from oversharing. Instead, she smiled, stepping closer to admire the peonies.

“You must adore your father. You take note of his interests.”

The girl did not respond immediately, but when she did, her tone was careful as usual. “Yes.”

That stirred another ache in Aurelia’s chest.

Lottie adored her father; that was plain to see. But there was this… wall between them, a tall and unyielding one that prevented their relationship from evolving.

Before Aurelia could ask more, a voice rang across the lawn. “Your Grace.”

They both turned.

“Who is that?” Aurelia whispered at the sight of the tall woman approaching the garden.

“My governess,” Lottie whispered back, her thick brows drawing together as if she already knew what was about to unfold. “Miss Sophia.”

Miss Sophia crossed to the garden, gazing at Lottie with unmistakable concern, her eyes softer than her brisk strides.

“Lady Charlotte, your lessons—” She paused, her gaze drifting to Aurelia. “Forgive me, Your Grace.” She bowed. “But His Grace insists on strict adherence to her schedule.”

Aurelia released a deep breath and squared her shoulders protectively. “She has lessons every day, does she not?” she questioned gently.