Page 99 of Bound By the Duke

Aurelia laughed, pressing a hand to her mouth. “Do not let him hear you say that, Louis. He has quite the temper.”

Louis grinned, stroking the cat as if it were a treasure. “I want to see the stables. Do you think Sir Whiskerton will like the horses?”

Before Aurelia could reply, he was gone, rushing out of the house with her cat in tow, calling something about knights and dragons.

Thus, she was left alone with Nora.

It was then that Aurelia noticed the glow on her sister’s face. The soft gleam in her hazel eyes told a secret she couldn’t hide.

“Nora…” Aurelia narrowed her eyes, half-playful, half-curious. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Nora’s blush deepened. She looked away, fidgeting with her gloves. “Perhaps.”

Aurelia gasped softly, clasping her hands together. “You’ve fallen in love.”

“I… well…” Nora’s face broke into a helpless smile. “There is a certain gentleman. A suitor.”

Aurelia’s heart melted. She drew her sister close. “Tell me everything. Who is he? Does he make you laugh? Does he see you?Trulysee you?” she asked in a hushed tone.

Nora giggled and buried her face in Aurelia’s shoulder. “All I will say is that he is unlike anyone I have met. And yes, he makes me feel that the world might be wider than I believed.”

Aurelia squeezed her tightly, pride swelling in her chest. “Then he is worth your time. When the Season comes, I will chaperone you. We’ll make sure he proves himself worthy of you.”

Nora’s eyes lit up. “You would? Truly?”

“Of course,” Aurelia said, brushing a lock of hair from her sister’s face. “Any excuse to see more of you. To see more of home.”

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting them.

Lady Scovell entered, her poise as sharp as her frown. Instantly, the air thickened. Whatever she brought, it was not good news. Aurelia could feel it.

She straightened on instinct. “Mother?”

Lady Scovell’s gaze swept the chamber, then landed firmly on Aurelia. “You look well daughter,” she said, eyeing her. “I presume the duke treats you well?”

“He does,” she answered.

“It has been three months,” she said with a pointed look. “When do we get word of an heir?”

The words struck Aurelia like a slap across the face.

Nora stiffened beside her, looking nervously between them.

“Mother—” Aurelia said, but Lady Scovell cut her off.

“Tell me, child. Have you even tried?” the woman asked pointedly, “You know it is important to cement your position.”

Aurelia’s throat tightened. Her mother’s words had only revealed a bitter truth. It deepened already existing fears. The doubt whether Percival would ever truly claim her.

Aurelia drew a breath and lifted her chin. “You cannot speak to me like this anymore.”

Lady Scovell’s brows shot up.

“I will not be reduced to a failure,” Aurelia continued, her voice trembling but her gaze firm.

She could not show weakness now. All her life, all she had ever wanted was to please her parents. But for once, she wanted to choose herself, her own desires.

“I will not beg for your approval,” she declared. “If I am to give the duke an heir, it will be becauseIchoose to. Because I love him.”