Page 54 of Bound By the Duke

His mouth twitched with the ghost of a smile. “That… is a change I can tolerate.”

Her heart thudded even harder. His hands were still on her, and neither of them moved.

The silence that fell between them this time wasn’t cold, but thick with heat. Percival let out a ragged breath, fighting the urge to lower his eyes to her chest.

Aurelia saw the way his jaw flexed. The hunger that he barely suppressed. The sight made her lips curve faintly.

Pretend all you like, but I know.

She knew she wasn’t the only one who felt the tension, the strain. Percival was fighting as well, fighting so hard to suppress whatever he was feeling. But she didn’t want to give up. She wanted to give him an heir.

Alas, just as hope bloomed in her chest, his cursed discipline won. That damned pride of his that chained him so well.

Reluctantly, he released her hands. Her fingers instantly curled at the loss of his touch.

Without another word, he turned toward the door, his shoulders stiff. At the threshold, he paused and looked over his shoulder at her.

“The painting must go.” His voice was low, deep, and dangerous. “The rest of the… changes you made may stay. As for breakfast…” He swallowed. “I do not mind.”

And then he was gone, the door closing behind him.

Aurelia stood there, her heart thudding against her ribs, her body still shaking from the aftershocks of his nearness.

Impossible man. Impossible, dangerous man.

And yet every impossible thing about him made her crave him more.

CHAPTER 17

Aurelia had not slept, and while her heavy eyelids and exhausted body begged for it, her mind was alert. The argument from the previous night, the heat of his hands, the sound of his voice sayingplease… they had followed her into the night.

She had tossed and turned in her bed over and over with a need she dared not name. It was only after that exhaustion claimed her, but only for an hour.

Still, Linda knocked on her chamber door at the crack of dawn. Her maid was ready to dress her up because, apparently, that morning was going to be special.

Aurelia was having breakfast with her husband, and the best part? Lottie was set to return as well.

The maid’s eyes lit up with approval when Aurelia chose a gown of soft lavender silk that clung gently to her waist and hugged her breasts.

“Your Grace,” Linda said softly, smoothing the fabric at Aurelia’s shoulder, “you look radiant this morning.”

Aurelia gave her a faint smile, though her heart fluttered wildly.

Radiant?Perhaps. But she knew the truth. They both did.

She was dressing not for the day, not even for herself, but forhim. For the man who haunted her sleep and her waking hours. For Percival.

By the time she stepped into the dining room, her heart was beating too fast.

The table had been set with polished silver, and the scent of warm bread and honey filled the air. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, making the morning even more pleasant.

Lottie was already seated, her small hands folded in her lap. Aurelia spotted Percival at the far end of the table.

He was as devastating as ever. His dark coat stretched across his broad shoulders, his jaw was clean-shaven, and his blue eyes were startling against the morning light.

He looked every inch the untouchable duke.

But when Aurelia came into view, she saw the faint furrow in his brow.