Page 12 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“You asked for one month, so I will give you one month. One month to find a man willing to...” He chuckled deeply and flashed his eyes. “Or able to, is perhaps a better way of thinking about it. A man able to see in you a wife worth attaching himself to, and quickly as I expect you to be married within the month. Not just engaged. Do I make myself clear.”

“And if I don’t?”

He smiled. “You know the answer to that. I am reasonable, Lady Hawkins, do not think otherwise. But my mercy has its limits.”

It was exactly what Aurelia needed to hear. Exactly what she had set herself to achieve this night. But it came with a backhand, his mocking her in a way that seemed to amuse him. He had all the power here, he knew it, and he didn’t mind letting her know it.

He is confident now, but will that confidence last if the ton was to find out his dark secret? The man he really is? I doubt that very much.

“You better hope that I do find someone,” she said, trying to speak bravely, but barely managing a whisper. She even tried to pull her chin free, but the duke followed her with his finger. “Lest your secret accidentally find its way into the public discourse.”

That did it. The duke’s eyes flashed with anger in ways that Aurelia was certain only she had ever seen. Strangely, it excited her. Shewantedto see the anger boil to the surface. She told herself it was because she hated liars and would take great pleasure in the duke revealing himself to the world.But that is only half the reason. If that...

“You play a dangerous game...” His finger stroked her chin, and she trembled. He leaned in closer... closer... closer still and she found her entire body shaking as she pictured what he might do. His moved his mouth to her ear, whispering, “I would be careful, if I were you...”

And then, as quickly as it had started, the duke pulled himself back, straightened, and once again took on the air of propriety. “I suggest you return inside shortly. No doubt your mother is wondering where you have gotten yourself too, and I would hate to see her worried.” With that, he turned and strode inside, not another word said.

Aurelia exhaled, having not even realized that she’d been holding her breath.What just happened!She had gotten what she wanted. The night was a success, anyway she looked at it. Yet she could not dispel that lingering feeling that things would only get worse before they got better.

What was more, she sensed that when they did, the duke would be right there to let her know. That thought excited her even more.

ChapterFour

"What of this one?" Rosalind asked, holding up a sun yellow dress which was an elegant design but a little busy on account of the frills bursting from the hems and shoulders and all over the skirt.

“I do not think so,” Aurelia said, curling her nose with distaste.

“Oh, it is not that bad!”

“It looks as if a sunflower vomited all over it,” Eveline giggled.

“It does not,” Rosalind protested, looking at the dress again. “I rather like it...”

“Pass,” Aurelia said.

Rosalind sighed loudly and tossed the dress onto the bed, on which there were another half dozen already piled. None of them were particularly bad or ugly, simply not those which Aurelia would ever be caught dead in.

“Perhaps we should choose according to color,” Rosalind mused as she rummaged through her wardrobe. There were still well over a dozen dresses hanging inside, a cornucopia of bright colors and different designs, each of which any young lady should be thrilled to find herself dressed in.

Aurelia was not any young lady. She had a style of her own, one which she was beginning to realize clashed mightily with Rosalind’s. Too many colors, she thought. Too much embroidery and flair. What was more, even if she was to find one that she liked, a quick glance at Rosalind’s tighter frame brought into question the likelihood of the fit. But that was a worry for later.

“This one?” She pulled out a lime green number. It was simple. Clean. Sleeveless. A modest neckline. Gold-trimming but no decoration running up the skirt or body. “I have always said that green suits you.”

“I don’t know...” Aurelia eyed the lack of sleeves, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She would not say it out loud, but she hated her arms, as did her mother for that matter. And the idea of wearing a dress that showed them off fully was a nightmare to her sensibilities.

“I like it,” Eveline said in agreement. “It is rather slimming, also.”

“Perhaps a little too much,” Aurelia muttered.

Rosalind clicked her tongue as she looked from the dress to Aurelia. “Obviously we can have the size adjusted. What we need to find first is a dress that suits you. Or one you will wear willingly, if such an outfit exists.”

“I do not know why I can’t wear one of my own.”

“I have seen your wardrobe,” Rosalind said rightly. “Which is answer enough.”

“Perhaps we can ask the kitchen if they have any potato sacks,” Eveline joked. “Surely, they will be able to lend one.”

“Funny,” Aurelia said dryly. “Oh, how you amuse me with your wit, Eveline.”

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