Page 98 of Bound By the Duke

The words slipped out before she could stop them. For a moment, she almost feared she had said too much. But then she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

Almost a smile.

“I received a message this morning,” he revealed.

That pulled her out of the dizzying warmth of memory. “A message?”

He nodded once. His eyes softened as they met hers, and this time the flicker of amusement was undeniable. “Your family is coming for a visit.”

Her lips parted. Her eyes widened. And excitement lit up her face.

Percival couldn’t help it when he saw the joy in her expression. His own lips curled into the smallest and rarest of smiles.

Aurelia could hardly believe her ears.

Her family. Here.

The words had barely sunk in before she jumped out of bed. For the briefest moment, she forgot she was the Duchess of Whitmore. Now, she was a daughter, a sister, a young woman longing for her loved ones.

Impulsively, she tiptoed to her husband and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

He froze, his breath catching at the unexpected sweet gesture. His body coiled, as if that smallest act could unravel him all over again.

But before he could react, she had darted away with a girlish laugh that made his chest ache.

Moments later, the distant clatter of wheels on gravel reached her ears.

A carriage.

Her family.

Aurelia hurried through the corridors, her heart beating fast. But as she reached the grand staircase, she forced herself to slow her steps.

Act like a duchess, Aurelia, she told herself.Aurelia squared her shoulders and slowly walked outside.

The carriage drew to a stop. Aurelia stood before the front steps, waiting patiently, her hands folded neatly before her.

The first person to descend was her mother, elegant as ever. Behind her, she saw her father with his kindly eyes. Then came the storms, Nora and Louis, in their youthful radiance.

At the sight of them, Aurelia’s composure nearly shattered. She wanted to rush forward and gather them in her arms. But she held back, only allowing the smallest smile to curve her lips.

Until her mother stepped close enough to embrace her.

The warmth of the gesture conveyed an apology for the last time they had met.

Aurelia hugged her tighter. “Welcome,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.

The family moved into the manor, eventually.

Percival awaited inside, every inch the regal duke. Yet, he inclined his head to her family and bowed deeply, especially to Lord Scovell, as if aware of how much this meeting meant to his wife.

The two men exchanged pleasantries about the estate and the season. Beneath it, though, Aurelia sensed Percival’s deliberate effort to show her family respect.

While they spoke, she guided the twins upstairs, her heart full.

Louis’s eyes widened the moment Sir Whiskerton sauntered into view, his tail swaying.

“The cat!” he exclaimed, scooping the furry creature into his arms. “He’s even fatter than in your letters!”