Page 45 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

She did notice at one point her sister Caroline watching her with clear concern, such that she wondered if she should join in, if for no other reason than to disparage her sister’s worry. But again, she simply could not be bothered.My mood should be one that has me singing to the heavens! After all, with what the duke and I got up to the other night, I should have no reason to be so upset. But isn’t that the problem...

The day wore on and when it was finally time to leave, Aurelia found herself grateful. The two sisters and Rosalind said their goodbyes to Caroline by the carriage, but it was as they turned to leave that Caroline pulled her to the side.

“Aurelia, might we speak for a moment?”

“Oh...” Aurelia frowned, thinking to say no but seeing the worry on her sister’s face. “Yes, of course. Concerning?”

Caroline pulled her away from the girls and waited until they had climbed inside the carriage so there would be no risk of being overheard.

“Is something the matter?” she asked her.

“What? No...” Aurelia forced a smile. “Why would you say that?”

Caroline fixed her with a look of worry. “You have been quite all day, is why. It is just so unlike you.”

“I am perfectly fine, Caroline.” Aurelia forced her smile to grow. “I am simply tired.”

The lie did not work, which wasn’t a surprise. Caroline and Aurelia had always been close, and Caroline was a most perceptive creature. Never the center of attention, she was rather good at noticing when others were in need of a shoulder to cry on; a task that used to fall on Aurelia when Caroline was having a bad day.

“That is good to hear,” she said, taking Aurelia’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “But you know that if anything is wrong, you can always talk to me. I am here for you.”

“I know, sister,” Aurelia assured her. “But as I said, nothing is wrong. Perhaps I am just a little distracted, what with my search for a husband.”

Caroline laughed. “Oh yes, a most tiresome affair, I am sure. I cannot imagine how it must be going – how mother is behaving, is my meaning.”

Aurelia snorted. “She is fine. Or rather, she is not as bad as she could be.”

Caroline squeezed her hand again. “If there is anything else...”

Aurelia very nearly broke down then and there. It had occurred to her already that there was no one whom she could talk to about her problems, as Rosalind was certainly not one who would wish to hear about Aurelia and the duke’s most secretive activities. Caroline was a safe ear to speak with, and she would understand better than most what Aurelia was going through.

Yet, she resisted that urge, not wanting to voice it for do to so would give it life. The duke was little more than a distraction right now, and not one worth voice or pondering on or pretending that it meant anything. Best to do what she could to ignore it entirely.

“I appreciate it,” she said. “But as I said, it is nothing worth worrying over.”

“Just making sure...” Another squeeze of her hand. “And I will be seeing you in two days, yes?”

Aurelia frowned. “Two days...?”

“The duke’s dinner party, of course.” She watched Aurelia closely for a reaction. “I assume you are going.”

“Oh...” Aurelia blinked. “I... I had forgotten.” And by forgotten she meant that she hadn’t known about it. With all that had been happening, she must have missed being told. Likely in her own head when her mother or Rosalind had brought it up. “Of course...” She smiled but it was awkward. “I will see you there.”

The duke was having a dinner party. That was...more exciting than it should be.

Aurelia found herself smiling as she made her way back to the carriage, if for no other reason than in two days time she would be seeing the duke once more. Still, she refused to admitwhythat excited her, determined to play her confused emotions off as little more than arduous curiosity. But deep down, she knew too that this was a lie she could only keep going for so long…

ChapterFifteen

"Remind me why I came here again?” Victor sighed as he took a sip of brandy.

“I would say it is because you are my friend,” Gerald said. “Although now I am wondering if you are even that.”

Victor chuckled. “I came to make you look good.”

“Ah yes, improvement by comparison. People will see me standing next to you and think to themselves, well at least he isn’t nearly as bad as the Duke of Blackwood.”

"That is not what I meant,” Victor scoffed. “My meaning was that with me here, it will be at least considered that you have a few friends of social worth. I look about and I see what? A viscount? A baron or two? Anearl.” He sighed. “Honestly, Gerald, you really need to work on your social circle.”

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