Page 82 of Bound By the Duke

She would put the blame on Hyacinth. Her friend had that effect on her, coaxing her out of her shell so easily.

They slowed their steps, pausing to admire a bookstall near the corner.

Touching the spines, Hyacinth hummed under her breath. “Tell me…” She lowered her voice in mock seriousness. “How is it, being the great Duchess of Whitmore? Do you give orders now, or do you still trip over your skirts as always?”

Aurelia rolled her eyes and then nudged her playfully with her elbow. “I have not changed so much, Hyacinth.”

“Mm,” Hyacinth murmured, tilting her head. “And yet you speak of estates and governesses as though you were born to it.”

Aurelia hesitated. Her lips parted, then curled into a thoughtful smile. “It is different, yes,” she admitted. “The estate is vast, Hyacinth, larger than anything I could have imagined. Many halls, many gardens that never seem to end.”

Hyacinth paused, as she could sense her friend was trying to make a point.

“But at times, I feel quite lost in it all,” Aurelia sighed.

Hyacinth leaned closer, the gleam in her eyes turning into gentle concern. “And it terrifies you, I gather?”

“Terrifies me, indeed,” Aurelia confirmed, then laughed. “But Lottie makes it better in some way. That precious little girl.”

“Lottie,” Hyacinth echoed, her lips curving gently. “I must meet this little girl who has captured your heart so.”

“You will,” Aurelia promised, her chest warming with affection. “She is clever and spirited. Sometimes I think she sees more than she ought to.”

They resumed walking, their skirts swishing against the cobblestones, their arms entwined. When they passed a tearoom they both stopped and exchanged knowing looks.

“Are you thinking exactly what I am thinking?” Aurelia couldn’t contain her smile.

A more playful one crossed Hyacinth’s face, and she wiggled her eyebrows. “Indeed. What’s an outing without a feast?” She laughed.

Without hesitation, they stepped into the small but elegant establishment. The air was fragrant with spiced tea and sugared pastries, the atmosphere buzzing with soft conversations.

A maid led them to a corner table near the window, where sunlight streamed in and caught the edges of their bonnets.

As they removed their gloves and settled in, Hyacinth leaned forward eagerly. “Now, tell me about the ball. I want every detail—the gowns, the jewels, the scandal.”

Aurelia laughed, shaking her head. “You have not changed, Hyacinth.”

“Never,” her friend declared proudly. “Now, speak.”

“It was glittering. The finest I have ever seen.” Aurelia didn’t waste any time because she was as excited to share the story.

They giggled over gossip, stopping only to admire the gowns and feathers of the passersby.

Yet, throughout it all, Aurelia did her best to push the most intimate part of the ball to the back of her mind. However, when the maid brought their tea and small cakes, she found herself drifting. She stirred her spoon absentmindedly, and her gaze turned distant.

Percival…

Hyacinth paused, her cake hanging in midair. “Percival?” An amused smile curved her lips.

Aurelia blinked repeatedly, realizing that she had voiced her thought. She took a sip of her tea, ignoring the teasing gleam in her friend’s eyes.

“Don’t look at me that way,” she muttered against the ceramic in her hands as she tried to hide her blush.

But Hyacinth did just the opposite. She leaned back, her expression sly, although her eyes had softened. “Well, well. I have never seen you so lost in thought, Aurelia. Dreaming over a man.”

The words made Aurelia falter once again. She lowered her gaze and set her cup on the table.

That was a bitter truth, and the only thing that made it bitter was that Percival confused her so.