Page 81 of Bound By the Duke

Still, she took a deep breath and did all she could to inject cheer into her voice. “Duke,” she began gently, “this is Hyacinth, my dearest friend.”

Percival’s blue eyes flickered to her friend, who dipped into a dramatic curtsy. “An honor, Your Grace.”

Percival inclined his head in acknowledgment, his lips barely curving. “Lady Hyacinth.”

That was all he offered, allowing an awkward silence to penetrate.

Aurelia bit her lip. She had hoped for more warmth, but perhaps that was foolish thinking.

She hesitated, but then asked softly, “Would you… care to join us?”

She already knew the answer to her question. Yet she had dared enough to ask someone as reticent as he was to come along.

His eyes didn’t show any emotion as he shook his head. “No, I have business that requires my attention.”

Even though she had seen it coming, his words fell heavy. Her heart ached. She told herself not to be disappointed, but she could not ignore the pang.

He looks so far away, even when he stands so near.

Something was wrong with him that morning. He seemed so different compared to the man who had kissed her breathless near a fountain.

“I understand,” she finally murmured.

With a single breath, his eyes finally locked onto hers. “Be good,” he urged, his voice low.

Though Aurelia hated to part with him, she nodded and turned around before the look in his eyes could make her knees buckle.

“Now, what shall we see first? What shops shall we raid?” Hyacinth smiled at her and linked their arms. She could sense the tension, but she was determined to cheer up her friend.

Aurelia laughed softly at her and leaned closer, eager for her warmth. But even as she let her friend drag her away, she felt the weight of another gaze. Percival’s.

She knew he was watching them leave. And he certainly was, his eyes narrowed and his chest heaving. His hands curled into fists behind his back, his nails digging into his palms.

Aurelia was undoing him. That was simply what was wrong with him. It was driving him to madness.

And he feared, once again, that he might lose himself, ruin her with his hunger until she couldn’t stand straight, couldn’t breathe without thinking of him.

His jaw tightened. He glanced away toward the window, but that did not stop the storm raging within him.

And if he did surrender to his body’s demands, there would be heirs. Heirs he had sworn to never have because of the past. The guilt that made it difficult for him to yearn freely for Aurelia.

The past held a truth that he could not bear to reveal to anyone. Not even his wife.

CHAPTER 25

The streets of London were even more enjoyable with her dearest friend. There was something about Hyacinth’s laughter that made it carry above everything else.

“Mercy, Aurelia,” she said between giggles, her gloved hand pressed against her chest. “If you keep telling that story about the governess and the wardrobe, I swear I will faint right here.”

“But it is true,” Aurelia insisted, her eyes almost watering from laughing so hard. “Sophia was stuck inside, shouting orders as though the wood itself would obey her.”

“And how did you get her out?” Hyacinth snorted.

“The footmen had to pry the door off. When she emerged…” Aurelia’s lips twitched. “She gave me such a look that I nearly died of shame. And yet I could not stop laughing even then.”

Hyacinth shook her head, her golden curls bouncing under her bonnet. “Only you, Aurelia. Only you would manage to anger a governess and turn it into the most delightful tale.”

Aurelia beamed. She could feel the warmth spreading through her chest. It had been so long since she had laughed like this—girlish, free.